COVID-19 Response: What’s Changing In What You Care About?

In episode 35, we ask people to reflect on shifts in their perspectives, about their lives, about how things have been working or not working for people in our country or around the world. KUNM’s Nash Jones reports on delivery drivers working for corporate apps who saw a big shift in the urgency and necessity of their work. They speak about the human connections keeping them in it, despite the dangers. Executive Producer Marisa Demarco talks to folks who usually do community organizing work, creating gatherings around art, culture and music. How are they shifting their skills to this new urgent moment, or how are they reflecting on the way they work? She calls her sister, Monica Demarco, KUNM Afternoon Freeform DJ Ebony Isis Booth, and Santa Fe music curator and record-label founder Eliza Lutz. Host Khalil Ekulona invites friends and family to reflect on what’s shifting in them: Afi Ekulona, Saidah Ekulona, Atif Ekulona, Amani Malika, Zeus Zamora, Roscoe Floyd / DJ Flo Fader, Benjamin Eaglin, Rozanna Martinez, Martin Torrez, Azul Amaral and Marney Prince. Part of our show is to keep an eye on government repsponse, of course. So we also hear from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Department of Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel from a news conference today with updates on policies and on what’s coming. And a news update: The number of confirmed cases in New Mexico hit 495, a big jump. Three people died, bringing the total to 10. In Albuquerque, there was an outbreak in a retirement community called La Vida Llena. Two people from the facility have died. The governor is working on a plan to let nonviolent offenders out of the state’s jails and prisons, and she said 40 inmates around the state are being released. We’re keeping a complete list of the resources and volunteer opportunities that we find for each episode here. As for today, here’s what we have for you: Resources:

• The state has guaranteed free testing for coronavirus and free treatment. So if you don’t have health insurance, don’t let that stop you from seeking care. It also covers illnesses related to COVID, like flu or pneumonia.
• If you get billed for it, and you think it’s unfair, call the OSI Managed Health Care Bureau at 1-855-427-5674

How are things going for you? We want to know. Share your quarantine stories by calling: (505) 218-7084 and leaving us a message. We could roll them into a future episode.

This segment is part of the “Your New Mexico Government” Project (#YourNMgov), a collaboration between New Mexico PBS, KUNM Radio, and the Santa Fe Reporter. This endeavor is funded by the New Mexico Local Journalism Fund with public media support provided by the Thornburg Foundation.