COVID-19 Tab

April 2020 A Special Supplement to the

Roswell Daily Record

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APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

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Coronavirus sparks worldwide concern

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Who is at elevated risk for COVID-19?

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How COVID-19 is transmitted

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Local church adjusts to pandemic

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Art against a pandemic

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How to practice social distancing during a pandemic

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City services remade by COVID-19

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EDC, other groups work to help businesses

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Despite bumps, parents praise RISD path to home instruction

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Salvation Army launches several response initiatives

CREDITS Publisher

Creative Design

General Manager

Layout Design

Editor

Advertising Sales

Barbara Beck Saralei Fajardo John Dilmore

Managing Editor Misty Choy

Advertising Director Manny Gonzalez

Cover Design Aric Loomis

Sandra Martinez Aric Loomis

Melanie Page Melissa Page

Writers

Alex Ross Christina Stock J.T. Keith Juno Ogle Lisa Dunlap

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APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

Coronavirus sparks worldwide concern Prevention and Treatment

What is COVID-19?

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he dawn of 2020 ushered in many newsworthy headlines, but few have turned the heads of the masses as sharply as the arrival of a novel coronavirus that was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. In late 2019, Chinese authorities identified the new virus.

Both the World Health Organization and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have closely monitored the coronavirus, which was named COVID-19 in mid-February 2020. The public is understandably concerned, but educating oneself about COVID-19 and coronaviruses in general can assuage some fears.

What is a coronavirus?

Medical News Today reports that coronaviruses typically affect the respiratory tracts of mammals.

Coronaviruses are responsible for between 15 and 30 percent of common colds. They’re also associated with pneumonia and severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. Coronaviruses were given their name based on the crown-like projections on their surfaces (in Latin, “corona” means “halo” or “crown”).

Coronavirus antibodies typically do not last or work for very long, so a person who becomes ill can catch the same virus again a few months later. Also, antibodies for one strain of coronavirus may not be effective against other strains.

In 2019, a new type of coronavirus not previously identified was discovered in China. Like other coronaviruses, this virus, COVID-19, can be spread easily from person to person, particularly through respiratory droplets acquired when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes. Most often people need to be within six feet of the infected person for contraction.

Those confirmed as having the virus reported illnesses ranging from mild symptoms like fever, cough and shortness of breath to more severe illness. Reactions to COVID-19 can differ from individual to individual. It’s believed that symptoms of COVID-19 can appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 after exposure.

Who is at elevated risk for COVID-19?

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OVID-19 continues to dominate headlines across the globe. This novel coronavirus first made headlines in late 2019 after an outbreak in Wuhan, the sprawling capital city in China’s Hubei province. The virus has since spread beyond China’s borders, leading to school closures and changes in public life, such as the shutting down of professional sports leagues, that many might never have thought they would see in their lifetimes.

Despite the relative infancy of COVID-19, doctors have learned much about it, including who might be most at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, early information out of China revealed that some groups are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 than others. Older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions are at the greatest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. Heart disease, diabetes and lung disease are the chronic medical conditions that appear to make people especially

vulnerable to sickness from COVID-19.

How people in at-risk groups can reduce their risk of getting sick It’s important that elderly people and people with chronic medical conditions take their risk for getting sick from COVID-19 seriously. The CDC notes that it is especially important that people at elevated risk take actions to reduce their risk of getting sick with the disease. The following strategies can be part of a proactive approach that may help at-risk people lower their risk of getting sick from COVID-19.

• Stock up on health supplies. Contact your physician and arrange to obtain extra necessary medications so you do not have to leave your home should an outbreak occur in your area. If that’s not plausible, the CDC recommends signing up for mail-order medications. Stock up on over-

Doctors advise that frequent handwashing, and in the absence of warm, soapy water, alcohol-based sanitizers that are at least 60 percent alcohol can be effective in preventing transmission of COVID-19. Also avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Currently there is no specific antiviral treatment for the disease; people should receive supportive care for symptoms.

However, research into antiviral drugs, such as those for HIV and influenza, are being tested for their potential efficacy against COVID-19. Research into developing a vaccine for this novel coronavirus also is ongoing.

Concerned individuals should speak with their healthcare providers for accurate, up-to-date information about COVID-19 as global health organizations continue to monitor conditions and treatments.

the-counter medications and medical supplies, including everyday items like tissues, so you don’t have to leave the house if an outbreak occurs.

• Stock up on groceries. Make sure you have enough groceries on hand so you can stay at home if restrictions on leaving home are put in place during an outbreak.

• Embrace the basics. Basic strategies like avoiding people who are sick; washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing or spending time in public; avoiding touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.; and avoiding crowds can help to reduce your risk of getting sick from COVID-19.

More information about COVID-19 is available at www.cdc.gov.

How COVID-19 is transmitted

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OVID-19, the novel coronavirus that was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in mid-March 2020, has claimed lives across the globe. Though the WHO insisted during a press briefing declaring COVID-19 a pandemic that the virus could be suppressed and controlled, Director-General of the WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described what he felt were “alarming levels of inaction” in regard to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Understanding COVID-19, including the threat it poses and how it’s transmitted, is of the utmost importance.

Contact with surfaces

Person-to-person Researchers who have studied the virus feel that it is spread mainly person-to-person.

People who are within six feet of one another may spread the virus through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of those who are nearby or potentially be inhaled into the lungs.

The CDC notes that the virus is contagious, and that people might be most contagious when they are at their sickest. Symptoms of COVID-19 include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, and bluish lips or face. Additional symptoms may be associated with COVID-19 as researchers learn more about the virus, and people who experience anything unusual should discuss their condition with a physician immediately.

Researchers also suspect that the virus may be spreading through people who are asymptomatic. So even people who do not feel sick or exhibit signs of sickness may unknowingly have the virus, potentially making them capable of spreading it.

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APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

The CDC notes that researchers do not suspect that contact with contaminated surfaces or objects is the main way the COVID-19 virus is spreading. However, the CDC also notes that it may be possible for people to get the virus by touching surfaces of objects that have the virus on them and then touching their own mouths, noses or possibly their eyes. The relative infancy of COVID-19 means researchers have yet to fully understand how the virus is transmitted.

Understanding COVID-19 also involves staying up-to-date on local announcements about the virus and adhering to any restrictions government officials put in place. People living in or near areas where others have been diagnosed should follow all protocols put in place by the government to reduce their own and their neighbors’ risk of exposure to the virus.

Information for New Mexicans New Mexicans who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453).

New Mexicans who have non-health-related questions or concerns can also call 833551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov.

The state’s COVID-19 data page can be found at cv.nmhealth.org/dashboard.

Local church adjusts to pandemic

By J.T. Keith Roswell Daily Record

Grace Community Church held their Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday at 6:30 a.m. Cars were parked in every other parking lot and on both sides of the street to handle the overflow. People in their cars rolled down their windows and sang songs with the worship leaders and listened to the message from Grace Community Church Pastor Rick Hale.

Hale’s message was to encourage people to hang in there and not give up.

The church read the resurrection story from the Gospel of Matthew. At the end of the service, Hale gave the traditional Christian Easter greeting: “Jesus Christ has risen,” Hale said. When Hale said that, people in their cars started honking their horns at the same time and said, “He has risen indeed,” as the sun was coming up.

Due to COVID-19, the church has closed all small groups and meetings and have wiped down everything.

They have had to shut down Group Share, Celebrate Recovery — which is a Christian 12-step group every Friday night — and also Divorce Care for Kids and Divorce Care.

Everything they do now is online.

Some things like Grief Share have been postponed because it is intimate, but will resume once they get back together.

This virus has made things hard for the church because before the pandemic, something was always going on at the church, seven days a week.

“Primarily, there’s an uncertainty,” Hale said. “Can I get out of my house?

Can I go to the store or not? How long is this going to go? A lot of people in our church are like, ‘When can I go back to work? How am I going to pay my bills?’

The uncertainty has created fear more than anything else I have seen.”

Hale has encouraged his church to stay connected to the people they know at church. Some of the small groups at his church do Zoom or email each other.

One of the church’s ministries is called DINE-1-1. What that entails is the church will put together box meals — which has a main course, vegetables, fruit, a dessert and some bread. They will vacuum seal each part of the meal and freeze it.

If they hear of a widow or someone in

need of food, they will deliver it to them.

Some of the church members will do grocery shopping for people that cannot make it to the store.

The last time they had church service was March 19. People can watch online on Sunday morning after 9 a.m.

“The Bible says, “God works in all things for good,” Hale said. “In all things means the good things and the bad things. God has a way of working. Good comes out of pain.”

The three areas that Hale has seen during this crisis is: Number one he said, people need a relationship with God. Hale stressed that people need to know that God loves them and cares about them, and that he hasn’t deserted them.

People need to understand that people live in a fallen world, and bad things happen to good people and God hasn’t deserted them.

The next thing Hale is seeing is that people need a relationship with each other. Hale thinks that some people didn’t value the human contact of gathering for church service, and to experience the fellowship with people on Sunday. Hale thinks that people miss being able to hug each other and share news of each other’s lives before and after service. He thinks the bonds of church family will sustain his members as they keep in touch through email, phone calls and Zoom.

Finally, finances. Many of the church members have gone through Financial Peace University, a Dave Ramsey program. He notes that one of the things the class taught was to always have an emergency fund.

“The class teaches us to always have three to six months of your income in an emergency,” Hale said. “Here’s what we learned. The people here at Grace that have taken that class and have had three to six months in their emergency fund are not freaking out, because they were prepared for this emergency.

Those are the three areas that we are seeing with these crises. Those are the people that are making it through this crisis healthier.”

Grace has a HOPE fund set up for church members should they need help.

HOPE stands for Helping Other People Continued page 6

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Art against a pandemic

APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

By Christina Stock Vision Editor

Ever since the first human beings painted erupting volcanoes on caves, natural disasters have brought out the most creativity in humans. The Renaissance period is one example of the imagination born during uncertain times. The plague, which lasted 300 years and emptied entire cities seasonally, brought on an explosion of the arts, despite the devastation.

Historically, the first pandemic was named after Justinian I of Constantinople. It originated in Africa in the late 1300s and came in with the ship rats, respectively fleas on the rats. Overall, historians consider that the world has endured — not counting COVID-19 — seven major pandemics, each of them giving rise to a more enlightened society and a vigorous art and science movement. Both go hand-in-hand, after all, one does need creativity to imagine new scientific methods or machinery.

It looks like this time, too, artists are shining a light of hope and creativity on the socially distanced world.

Local musicians and artists, such as singer and songwriter Matthew Palmer, Nova Rush and even artists who were suddenly grounded in the midst of their tour like Ruidoso’s Gleewood, are using social media and live-streaming to overcome the loss of income that was caused by canceled tours and concerts.

Some are using their sense of humor, such as Swedish singer and songwriter Captain Klas, who started a podcast out of his home in Ruidoso where he and his wife are talking about music, wine and sharing recipes. Instead of the tip jar on top of a piano, a virtual tip jar is linked to the events. Palmer said in a recent interview that he is expecting to see and hear a lot of new video clips, songs and streaming sessions from artists who have been stuck at home during lockdown.

LOCAL continued from page 5 Endure. Hale noted that anybody can contribute to it, but only Grace members are eligible for help. They would have to fill out an application, and if approved, the members would bring their bills in and Grace would pay them.

“God has not deserted the world,” Hale said. “God says, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

Comparing this to H1N1 swine flu and tornadoes, Hale remembers every year he has seen the country lose 40,000-60,000 people because of the flu.

Other artists such as Jan Smith, lead costume designer for Way Way Off-Broadway Theatre Company, are more practically inclined and are using their talents to help the community. Smith is using leftover fabric from her costume designs to sew face masks for the public.

Speaking of theater, first in the region to step on a virtual stage will be the Ocotillo Troupe out of Artesia.

They are going to live-stream their comedy “The Sunshine Boys” via Zoom on Facebook on April 25.

It is the very first time the troupe will be able to do this.

Usually artists and publishers of plays are fiercely protective of their copyrights, but in the time of COVID-19, all are uniting to support each other. In this case, director Kandese Green said, the publisher was ready as soon as she voiced the interest in bringing the play online. She said they would be airing the show on a local radio station at a later date. After all, not everybody has access to Facebook.

Many authors of the New Mexico Co-op out of Albuquerque were near panic when the shutdown happened. They needed the book fairs to try to find publishers for their books, but these were all canceled.

New Mexico Co-op reached out and is emailing — up to four times a week — sources that will publish reviews or share information about the new books and the authors. The Roswell Daily Record is one of these

He says Biblically, we have been living in the last days since Jesus died on the cross.

The church is starting a new series called “Courage,” which they had planned a long time ago. The series will look at five books from Daniel.

Hale thinks that life is 90% of your attitude and 10% of what happens to you.

He believes that if we trust God, we will make it through this crisis as he references Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

“People are turning to God,” Hale said. “They realize they don’t have control, that God is in control. People’s faith is growing to be dependent on God and

sources, regularly publishing newsworthy authors in the Vision pages on Sundays.

Our local visual artists are also keeping busy — that is if they don’t have children they have to home school. Metal artist John Hernandez is using the time to create new designs for his sculptures. If you have been to Carlsbad’s Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, you might have seen his unique creations decorating the hiking paths and blending in with nature. Ceramic artist and owner of Bone Springs Art Space is using the time she has to put the finishing touches on her remodeled studio.

There are also those artists who use the time by taking a hiatus from their art to learn something new.

Magician and songwriter Jamie O’Hara has a distinct focus on recipes for sweet desserts.

Tammy Alvarez, vice president at The Gallery on North Main Street, is designing silk scarves, which she paints in vibrant colors.

Then we have the multitude of hobby artists who depend on a substitute income from the art fairs.

These artists, such as painter Jeorganna Simoes, are using the time to create new artwork, which will be ready and framed as soon as the world and Roswell opens again.

Once everybody is free to mingle, perform or exhibit, there just might be a new genre born out of selfdistancing and being at home. True art rises up out of the quiet of one’s soul, something the artists of the Roswell Artist-in-Residence program know when they move to the isolated compound of Roswell — where there is no traffic noise or light pollution like in the big cities.

Donald Anderson who started this program in 1967 described it as a “gift of time.” These artists from around the world have been self-isolating, accepting this gift of time ever since. As soon as the quarantine is over, it is very certain that the next exhibits and performances will show what creativity arises out of a crisis such as this pandemic.

Vision editor Christina Stock can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext. 309, or vision@rdrnews.com.

not independent.”

Hale noted that the church has seen crises before with 9/11. The difference being that people were able to see and touch each other and encourage one another. People were able to come together then. Now we can come together, but separately. People miss sharing in each other’s lives.

Hale is anxious to see how full the church is when the doors are reopened.

“Grace’s goal,” Hale said, “we want to take care of people; God loves people and so do we. We want to take care of people in their practical needs.

Our number one responsibility, accord-

ing to scripture, is to take care of our church family, and then encourage our church family to reach out to widows, orphans and people that are struggling and see that they’re taken care of. We keep telling people to feed your faith and not your fear, eventually your fear will starve. Trust God, we are going to make it.”

For those suffering from suicidal thoughts, Hale says to call the office at 575-623-5438.

Sports editor J.T. Keith can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext. 304, or sports@rdrnews.com.

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APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

How to practice social distancing during a pandemic What to do in the wake of canceled events

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vents have been canceled or postponed across the globe in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19. This has caused a disruption to not only commercial events like concerts and sporting events, but personal gatherings as well. Any party with a large number of potential guests has to be reconsidered. This includes graduation parties, weddings and birthdays. People facing the cancellation of such events can follow these guidelines.

• Speak to vendors to find out if cancellations can occur with no penalties. Many hotels and other travel services are waiving fees for cancellations, or allowing bookings to be rescheduled at no additional cost.

• Try to think of some alternative dates for events like weddings and graduation parties as soon as possible. There is no way to accurately predict the path that COVID-19 will take, nor put a firm date regular life can resume, but discussing alternative dates with vendors with whom you’re already under contract may put you at the top of the list when gatherings are once again allowed.

• Reach out to guests to explain that your plans are fluid. Expect that a good portion of guests, even those who already committed to attend, may not be able to make rescheduled events. Speak with vendors about fluctuating headcounts in the wake of COVID-19.

• Be patient and keep an open mind about events. These are unprecedented times and many people are learning as they go.

Rescheduling events when the threat has subsided may cause a bottleneck effect with service providers. Flexibility and patience can help make reschedule less stressful.

Social distancing protocols encourage people to avoid crowds, such as those at concerts and sporting events.

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s COVID-19 continued to spread across the world, it quickly became evident that the public would have to take drastic measures to slow the transmission. In addition to practicing generalized sanitation and good hygiene, people in some of the hardest-hit clusters were advised to take additional, more aggressive measures.

Quarantines and travel restrictions were implemented, and the term “social distancing” became a buzzword.

•O pt out of group events. Steer clear of events, whether meetings, sports games, conferences, and other gatherings where large amounts of people congregate together.

•S tick to non-contact greetings. Avoid hugs, kisses and handshakes. Substitute a smile, a wave or a bumping of elbows, instead.

•P ractice remote learning. Students who attend large schools, such as high schools, universities and colleges, can continue their studies via remote learning and virtual classes instead of gathering in classrooms.

Social distancing involves people keeping a physical distance from each other during • W ork from home. Many companies are disease outbreaks now equipped to allow employees to work in order to slow from home all the time or a portion of the transmission time. Businesses can encourage employees to stay home and utilize the internet to get rates. Social distancing also is employed to lessen the impact of the disease on the medical care system, which quickly can become overwhelmed with a high number of cases presenting in a short period of time. In best-case scenarios, social distancing also may enable a few people to avoid infection until a vaccine is available.

So how can people socially distance themselves? Here are some of the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and other leading health groups.

their work done.

•A lter shopping schedules. Try to visit stores in the early morning or late at night when they are less likely to be crowded.

•M ake changes in worship practices.

Celebrants may have to make modifications to the way they worship.

Common sense is key to stall disease transmission, and social distancing can be an important public health measure.

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APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

By Alex Ross Roswell Daily Record

City services remade by COVID-19

In recent weeks, the COVID-19 global pandemic has upended people’s daily lives and fundamentally altered how institutions function.

Through public health orders issued by federal, state and local governments, or in some cases, actions taken voluntarily by individuals and businesses to curtail the spread of COVID-19, social distancing practices have become a guiding force in daily lives and have required a great deal of adjustments.

Schools have shifted to distance learning, public gatherings have largely ceased, jury trials in courts have been delayed and businesses have either been shuttered or changed the way they operate.

Government has also had to adapt, especially at the city level, where face to face interaction and one on one customer service were once commonplace.

Unlike other entities, city governments cannot entirely suspend operations and reduce their workforce to zero. City Manager Joe Neeb said more than half of the services provided by the city are considered essential, or vital to the public.

One of the major challenges the city therefore has had to grapple with, Neeb said, is how to abide by social distancing guidelines while continuing to provide crucial services.

“So that has been the biggest thing because we weren’t geared for that and so it took a little longer than we would like to make that model,” he said.

Though many city services continue, city buildings are largely closed to the public, and the public is only granted access to them through appointment.

Hiring to fill vacant positions has been temporarily halted, Neeb said. However, unlike many businesses and nonprofits, the city has not had to lay off or furlough any employes.

“I think we have more than enough work that meets the essential needs that we are able to keep everyone busy,” Neeb said.

Instead, they have shifted employees in departments tasked with providing nonessential services, over to others that provide essential services.

Essential vs. nonessential Essential services, Neeb said, are those that must continue to be provided at full capacity to meet the needs of the public, such as infrastructure, public safety, administration of the city government and transportation.

At the city level, these services are: • Police.

• Fire and emergency medical services.

• Dispatch.

• Emergency management.

• Sanitation.

• Water treatment.

• Water and sewer distribution.

• Solid waste.

• Cemetery.

• Streets and special electronics.

• Maintenance of facilities.

• Fleet maintenance.

• Public affairs.

• City administration.

• Services provided by the City Clerk’s Office.

• Legal services.

• Municipal Court.

• Roswell Air Center.

Services classified as “nonessential” have been suspended during the pandemic. Employees in those departments have been transferred to departments that provide essential services.

Nonessential services include those provided by: • Roswell Adult and Recreation Center.

• Roswell Convention and Civic Center.

• Roswell Visitors Center.

• Auditor.

• Roswell Museum and Art Center.

Some services though do not fall into either category. Some tasks must continue to be performed but at a lesser degree than they were before the pandemic, Neeb said. Such services are classified in two other groupings: “partially essential” or “partially nonessential.”

Partially essential services, Neeb said, must continue in some fashion during the pandemic because they render either an essential service or support another department that does so.

Services that fall within that partially essential column include: Planning and Zoning, the Fire Marshal’s Office, City Engineering, Code Enforcement, Building Inspections, Human Resources, Finance and Information Technology.

Partially nonessential services are ones that can or must be continued because certain city assets must be maintained and failure to do so could cost the city more in the long run.

Neeb said the Nancy Lopez Golf Course is one example of a partially nonessential service. Though the course remains closed to the public, its lawn is still cut, not for the benefit of golfers per se, but because the course’s green is an expensive asset for the city.

“So we can’t allow them to just not have any care to them,” he said.

The Spring River Zoo is another example. It is closed to the public, Neeb noted, but the animals still must be fed.

“We still have to feed the animals. So although the service is closed, we have to maintain that service to a certain level,” he said

Other services classified as partially nonessential services, Neeb said, include the Roswell Public Library, the city’s parks, the Recreation and Aquatic Center, the Adult and Recreation Center and Animal Services.

In many cases, city departments have changed how they conduct business and how their staff interacts with the public. Below are some examples.

Parks The city’s parks are closed to the public, Neeb said.

Though the city encourages individuals to remain at home during the pandemic, Neeb said, it is difficult at times to enforce that when it comes to parks.

People will not receive citations if they are in a park, Neeb said, though a city employee might approach a person who is at one and remind them the parks are closed.

“What we are asking is for everybody to be safer about this, follow the social distancing guidelines, stay away if you are not feeling good,” Neeb said. “We just ask everybody to be safe with it.”

In terms of upkeep, the city is not cutting the grass as frequently as they otherwise would.

City employees have also been washing down playground equipment about once a month so if some unsuspecting individual was to utilize the equipment, the risk of infection will be minimized. Benches, bus stops and other exposed surfaces have been power washed and disinfected.

“So anything with a surface, we are out there trying to disinfect,” Neeb said.

Library The Roswell Public Library was one of the first city buildings to close to the public.

According to the COVID-19 Updates page on the city’s website, individuals can still contact library staff to check out books and other materials through the “Library on the Go” program.

“It is essentially a drive-up and they will hand you the books so you can take them home,” Neeb said.

“Books, when returned, are disinfected before they go back out.”

The north breezeway of the library is open for people to pick up items and for information about online resources, common tax forms and library application forms, according to the website.

Materials can continue to be renewed over the phone, no matter how many times they already have been or if there is already a hold on an item, according to the webpage.

People can use the book drop in the back of the library to return all materials checked out, not just books.

According to the website, items returned while the library is closed to in-person access will not be Continued page 9

APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD portation method, we are serving with that and we are just dealing with it kind of very similar to the call and schedule,” Neeb said.

To arrange for a ride, call 575-624-6766.

CITY continued from page 8

charged a late fee.

To arrange to have a given book or other item checked out, call the library at 575-622-7101 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

City facilities Most city facilities are closed to the general public.

“There is no building open to the public for people to just stop and come in without setting up an appointment or setting up a time to come in,” Neeb said.

Efforts are being made by the city to communicate with residents via phone and email for services as much as possible, Neeb said.

Offices though do have staff present to receive phone calls, including during the lunch hour, the webpage states. Payments will continue to be accepted for utilities but the city requests if people do come to the office or any city facility, they make an appointment in advance.

To pay a utility bill or arrange a payment plan, call 575-624-6711 Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

People can also pay their water and sewer bill on the city’s website at https://www.roswell-nm.gov/180/ Customer-Service-Water-Billing. City buildings have signs posted with contact information, while emails and phone numbers for specific departments can be found on the city’s website under each department’s page by clicking on the “Departments” tab at the top.

Code enforcement Enforcement of some violations of city code have been suspended, such as those pertaining to casual motor vehicle sales permits, condemnations and occupancy removals unless absolutely necessary and the use and keeping of recreational vehicles on private properties, Neeb said.

Because many businesses have ceased operations, the city has also temporarily waived late fees for license renewals.

Enforcement of codes pertaining to the homeless, such as tents and makeshift camps have also ceased,

as long as they are not in densely populated areas or do not create trash, according to the webpage.

Other codes will continue to be enforced, such as those pertaining to grass and weeds due to the health and public safety concerns those create.

“It has a tendency to bring in little critters we’d rather not have,” Neeb said.

Municipal Court Staff in the Municipal Court have also had to adapt during the pandemic.

Judge Joseph Seskey, municipal judge for the city of Roswell, is managing work normally done in person through video conference when possible, Neeb said.

According to the COVID-19 Update webpage, the number of people who can be in the courtroom at a given time has been restricted to 25. Seating in the lobby has been expanded to afford individuals more space to socially distance themselves from each other while waiting for their cases to be called.

Court employees are instructed to wear gloves when handling cash or documents and cleanings have been increased.

The webpage states the court is directing defendants assigned to community service to temporarily cease reporting to their assignments. Any defendant under community services conditions through the court will be given alternative reporting requirements by their assigned compliance officer.

Individuals with matters pending before the court should call before their scheduled appearance to find out if the matter can be handled over the phone, according to the webpage.

Municipal Court clerks can be contacted Monday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon by calling 575-624-6725 ext. 0.

Pecos Valley Transit The city has suspended its regular bus routes, but Neeb said rides for individuals can still be provided for those for certain reasons such as to buy food or go to a medical appointment.

“So those that don’t have any other kind of trans-

Roswell Air Center American Airlines has temporarily suspended its Roswell to Phoenix flights, though it is continuing all three of its daily flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth.

“All they have done is they have reduced the Phoenix flight because there is less individuals flying out that way and that is why they have just tightened their process that way,” Neeb said.

Additional cleaning and disinfecting is also being done at the Air Center so people can safely travel if necessary, Neeb said.

The webpage states passengers should contact American Airlines as their scheduled flights approach in order to determine any changes to the status of their flights. This can be done by calling 1-800-433-7300 or visiting https://www.aa.com/homePage.do.

Resumption of formal services Despite the upheaval that comes with rapid change, Neeb said the public has largely been accommodating.

“There are some that don’t like any kind of change and they have expressed their thoughts and their concerns, but I have not run into any issues in working with the public,” he said.

The public safety orders issued by the New Mexico Department of Health are to remain in place at least until April 30. When that order is rolled back or amended will play a role to some degree as to when the city can resume services at a greater capacity, which will depend greatly on when the virus peaks, Neeb said.

Forecasts show the virus is expected to peak in New Mexico sometime in mid to late May. Neeb said the city is currently eyeing July 1 as a date when formal city services could possibly be restored to their pre-COVID-19 levels.

“If we hit the surge by the end of May, that gives us June to get through whatever we have to as that bell curve starts coming down,” Neeb said.

An earlier date, he said, is possible, should conditions improve and if the virus reaches its peak sooner.

For more information about how city services are altered by the pandemic, visit the city’s COVID-19 Update webpage at https://www.roswell-nm.gov/1242/COVID-19-Updates.

To keep up with local coverage of the coronavirus, go to rdrnews.com/category/news/covid-19-situation/.

Breaking news reporter Alex Ross can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext, 301 or breakingnews@rdrnews.com.

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APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

EDC, other groups work to help businesses

By Lisa Dunlap Roswell Daily Record

Several different local business development and chamber groups are helping business owners and companies survive during the coronavirus public health emergency, which has resulted in state orders that severely restrict business operations.

Michael Espiritu

For its part, the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corp. convened its first Economic Recovery Task Force meeting April 22.

Michael Espiritu, president of the RCCEDC, said that Roswell City Manager Joe Neeb; Chaves County Manager Stanton Riggs; Warren Yehl, Eastern New Mexico Medical Center’s chief executive officer; Mike McLeod, Xcel Energy’s community relations manager; and some local business owners talked about what they are experiencing now and how they could coordinate efforts to help area businesses restart and recover.

“We discussed a lot about their concerns. One thing we talked about was the impact on GRT (gross receipts taxes), which the city said is going to be impactful and affect city services,” Espiritu said.

One local business owner talked about the fact that curbside and delivery service allowed by current restrictions do not allow his business and other local companies to make a profit. He has had to lay off his employees and has experienced a large drop in revenues.

While the business owner thinks that past savings will help his operation survive, he believes quite a few businesses will not make it.

“There is a lot of fear of the unknown, if you will, about when they might be able to return to some type of normalcy, whatever that means,” Espiritu said.

He said the group also talked about the need to help people recover emotionally from what some could experience as traumatic.

“There might be some behavioral challenges for people, kind of like PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder),” Espiritu said. “People are going to need some help for what they are experiencing.”

He said the medical center intends to develop resources that could be distributed through the RCCEDC and the local chambers.

Espiritu said Yehl also wanted to stress that ENMMC has the personnel, equipment and staff to handle whatever patient surge might occur due to the COVID-19 emergency.

Xcel talked about its willingness to work with business and residential customers to defer payments during the crisis. People can call 800-895-4999 to set up deferments.

The task force plans to hold its next meeting within a few weeks and eventually to create a written plan to assist businesses in restarting and recovering.

He said that both the meeting and the plan are on hold until participants learn what Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham decides regarding current restrictions and what city and county elected officials do regarding “reopening” resolutions.

Chaves County passed a resolution urging the state to allow reopening of businesses, with certain virus-prevention steps taken, on April 23. The city of Roswell was expected to consider such a resolution soon after.

Not much data or information exists now about how the COVID-19 restrictions have affected local businesses, organizations, employees or governments. But signs of significant effects were beginning to emerge.

Unemployment in Chaves County began increasing in mid-March. The number of new claims filed the week ending March 7 was 22, but the number peaked to 734 by the week ending April

4, according to unofficial numbers from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. By April 11, new claims in the county were counted at about 500.

Statewide, the number of unemployed for March 2020 was 56,777 (5.9%). For Chaves County, the total was 1,605 (5.8%).

The city of Roswell also has announced that it is projecting a 40% decrease in gross receipts for July and a 15% decrease in gross receipts taxes for fiscal year 2021. It plans an overall downward revision of 12.7% to city budgets for at least the first part of fiscal year 2021.

Several national, state and business group plans for economic recovery have been announced, but Espiritu said the area needs its own plan. He said he will be getting some direction from the International Economic Development Council about strategies to develop one.

In addition to creating the economic recovery task force, the RCCEDC is serving as an informational clearinghouse for its members. It is forward information about financial assistance, training webinars and expert advice available from federal and state governments and associations. It is also posting public items on its social media sites and website, www.chavescounty.net.

In addition, the group is helping to coordinate efforts to create, obtain and distribute non-medical face masks and assisting local businesses with finding temporary employees or needed products and services. It recently announced a partnership with Church on the Move in paying the Saddle Barn to rehire its laid off workers so that it could switch its operations to making face masks.

Besides the RCCEDC, Roswell has several other groups that are striving to help businesses stay afloat and viable.

— MainStreet Roswell is featuring profiles of businesses within its district on its Facebook page and including links to businesses on its own website, www.mainstreetroswell.org. It is also sharing information about webinars and assistance programs, including those available from New Mexico MainStreet. That organization is offering to create free websites for MainStreet businesses. Additional information is

shared exclusively with district businesses through a closed “stakeholders” Facebook group.

— The Small Business Development Center and WESST (formerly Women’s Economic Self-Sufficiency Empowerment Team) are advising businesses on how to plan for and adapt to current restrictions and alter their service, business or product models. The SBDC also is assisting businesses in applying for Small Business Administration loan programs. (www.wesst.org and www. nmsbdc.org) — The Roswell Hispano Chamber of Commerce and the Roswell Chamber of Commerce are coordinating services and assistance among their members and posting notices and resource links on their websites and social media pages. (www.roswellnm.org and www. roswellhcc.org) Senior Writer Lisa Dunlap can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext. 351, or at reporter02@rdrnews.com.

Food banks, churches serve Chaves County residents The Chaves County Health Council has compiled a list of organizations, in addition to the Salvation Army, that are providing food to those in need.

Christ’s Church (door-to-door grocery distribution), 2200 N. Sycamore Ave., 575-623-4110.

Community Kitchen, Corner of Bland Street and South Virginia Avenue, 575-623-1926.

Harvest Ministries 601 N. Main St., 575-624-2415.

Neighborhood Church 1019 S. Lea Ave., 575-623-0201.

Roadrunner Food Bank (Unity Center), 108 E. Bland St., 575-840-0929.

Loaves and Fishes 210 S. Cambridge Ave., Hagerman, 575-626-1778, Hotline: 800-432-2080.

In addition, Waymaker Church is a distribution site for food on the fourth Saturday of the month at 8 a.m., 202 S. Sunset Ave., 575-627-9190.

APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

Superior Ambulance Service of Roswell would like to extend its thanks to the community of Roswell and the following for donations of cloth masks, food and other medical supplies.

Los Cerritos Pecos Flavors Winery Daunita Rich Judith Brown Michelle Mason Interim Health Recovery Services of NM Leprino Foods Bartlett Family Krisann Robles Bless Your Heart Quilters Shawn Nicklson

Youngren Family Disaster Relief Sam’s Club Bitter Lakes National Park Wakefield Roswell Community Federal Credit Union Carolyn Harris Buffalo Wild Wings #610 Church on the Move

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APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

Despite bumps, parents praise RISD path to home instruction

By Juno Ogle Roswell Daily Record

When students of Roswell Independent School District left their schools on March 12, they had no idea they wouldn’t be back.

That day, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a three-week closure starting at the end of the school day on March 13 in an attempt to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus.

That Friday for RISD was a student holiday and curriculum day for staff. The closure, for students at least, sounded like an extended spring break.

But on March 27, Luhan Grisham announced New Mexico would follow several other states and close schools for the remainder of the year, transitioning to at-home learning.

RISD teachers and administrators scrambled over the next week and a half to create an entirely new way of teaching in order to meet the Public Education Department’s April 8 deadline for submitting the district’s Continuous Learning Plan that would address how students would be able to learn enough material to move to the next grade level or graduate.

RISD made that deadline, submitting its plan to the state April 6 with plans for instruction both online and with hard-copy packets for the 53% of students that do not have access to devices or the internet.

Several RISD parents say while there’s been some stumbles, the district has overall done a good job of putting that plan into action.

“The first official day, I had a minor meltdown. It included tears,” said Marlene Werts, a mother of four RISD students.

Tristan is a senior and Aiden is a freshman at Goddard High School, while Gavin and Grayson attend fourth and third grade, respectively, at Del Norte Elementary School.

Werts said she was initially confused by the instructions for online learning and was using the wrong system, but a text to one of Grayson’s teachers got an immediate response.

“She gave me a call. She explained all of the different systems that they have available to them, and since then it’s been pretty smooth,” Werts said.

Motivating her children to study after a threeweek break has been a challenge, she said, especially since she is also working from home herself.

A medical biller, she has split her work time between mornings and evenings to help her boys with their schoolwork during the afternoon. Her husband, Aaron, works for the state and is considered essential, so he works Mondays through Thursdays.

“The teachers — I’ll say this a million times — have been fantastic,” Werts said.

Others haven’t had as much success at communication with teachers, however.

Erin Adler’s twins, Myles and Eliza, are freshmen

Patience is necessary, and parents and educators may need to completely transform their daily schedules.

at Roswell High School. They are doing instruction both online and through paper packets.

“The advantage is that they both have the same advisory teacher. The disadvantage is they both have the same advisory teacher,” she said.

“When everything rolled out, we actually heard from their algebra teacher,” Adler said. The teacher had seen on a list from the school the twins had not been marked as being contacted.

She picked up their packets from RHS April 9 and then heard from their advisory teacher the next day, Adler said.

The packets contained information on four projects for students to choose one to complete. Adler said Myles initially chose a project on creating a business but later wanted to know if he could switch to a different project.

The only way he could find to contact his advisory teacher was through a classroom chat, but he didn’t want to ask his question where the whole class could see.

“The only email we have is a school email. We have no other email. We have no phone number, we have nothing,” Adler said.

RISD administrators added a section to the policy on teacher conduct with students that personal phone numbers and social media accounts were not to be shared with students. That, along with guidelines against one-on-one video instruction, was done to ensure students’ online safety, administration said at the April 14 board meeting.

Adler said she emailed the advisory teacher, but had not heard anything after nearly a full day.

“I understand they had to scramble to get things put into place very early, and I commend them for

coming up with what they did come up with,” Adler said. “I get that it’s frustrating, but at the same time, communication is key.”

Adler said technology hasn’t been much of an issue for her family. Her son has his own desktop computer, her daughter uses a Chromebook and Adler uses her own laptop for her own college classes.

“Technology-wise, we don’t have a problem. It’s just a matter of trying to get them to sit down and do it,” she said.

Her daughter, “the athletic child,” while missing out on spring sports, is working virtually — and sometimes through visits in their homes — with her boyfriend on school work and also training lists from their coaches, she said.

Amber Smith, whose daughter Aubrey White is a sixth-grader at Sierra Middle School, had high praise for the teachers there, but said she wished the schools would do more to help students cope as well as ease some of the financial burden on parents, especially with so many people out of work.

“All their teachers have been amazing and helped out so much to figure it out,” she said of the online learning.

“Their first question is always ‘How is everyone doing? Is everyone healthy?’” Smith said. “I appreciate that. It shows that they care.”

That’s been especially helpful, as her daughter has been worried seeing news about the coronavirus, Smith said.

“It has stressed her out tremendously. She’s so afraid of this virus and people dying. She just doesn’t know how to take it,” she said.

Continued page 13

APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

DESPITE continued from page 12 “I think it would be a good idea if the schools would implement their counselors so that if kids want to talk to them separately, they can video chat with them.

We’re not psychologists. We don’t know what to say to them. We know how to shelter our kids, but that would be such a big help,” Smith said.

She also said some of the assignments don’t seem to take into account what parents can afford.

One of her daughter’s projects was to build a lava lamp.

“I had to borrow a whole bunch of stuff from the landlord,” Smith said. “They wanted Alka Seltzer and food coloring. Those aren’t always things people have,” she said.

“There are a lot of low-income families and I hope they understand that they’re not going to be able to go out and buy the seeds or buy certain things that are needed for the project,” she said.

But the parents said they do understand the district staff, and especially teachers who have their own children, are coping themselves with something new.

Megan Patterson teaches sixth-grade science, technology, engineering and math at Sierra Middle School and has three of her own children, an infant and two in school. Tryston Patterson is a freshman at Goddard High School and Ayden Armijo, 3, attends

Parkview Early Literacy Center.

“We are trying to create a balance,” Patterson said.

She has “office hours” for two or three hours a day, and tries to spend at least 30 minutes a day working with her two children on their work.

“With my oldest one, I’m trying to at least make sure he gets two assignments done a day, no matter which class it’s for. And then my youngest, because his is all paper, it’s mostly reading to him and making sure I fit in that time to help. He’s developmentally delayed, so his takes a little bit longer,” she said.

Patterson said it helps that she has a good support system at home. Her husband, Matthew Armijo, is employed at a restaurant, but because business has slowed, he hasn’t been scheduled to work.

“He’ll help me manage the kids during my office hours,” she said.

Patterson said her mother has also been able to help.

She said she does recognize the challenge other parents have, however.

“We’re trying to make it as easy as possible for the students. When you’re at home, trying to teach our kids and teach them how to use these platforms that you as a parent may not even be familiar with, it’s definitely been a challenge. It does take a toll on parents,” she said.

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One of the hardest things for parents to deal with, however, is not about technology. It’s knowing what experiences the kids — especially the seniors — are missing by not being at school.

“I think I may have taken it harder than him because he’s a boy, but I’m like, no prom, no last day of school,” Werts said of Tristan.

One thing she had been looking forward to was the day Goddard High seniors parade through the halls of nearby Del Norte Elementary in their caps and gowns. She wanted to take a picture of Tristan with his kindergarten teacher to place next to his kindergarten graduation photo.

Werts said she and her family will decorate the house and yard with graduation items so they can celebrate his accomplishment in some way. RISD administrators have discussed how they could still have graduation ceremonies, but have made no announcements.

“Right now, what I understand is that the graduation ceremony is still planned, but who knows where this is going to go?” she said.

City/RISD reporter Juno Ogle can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext. 205, or reporter04@rdrnews.com.

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APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

Salvation Army launches several response initiatives

By Lisa Dunlap Roswell Daily Record

You might not think about showers when you think of the local Salvation Army, but showers, food for the hungry and religious services are its major offerings during the coronavirus situation.

Niki Woollin, corps officer of the Roswell Salvation Army along with her husband, Jonathan Woollin, said the the group is now giving first responders and medical professionals a secure place to shower and change clothes before heading home to their families.

Health care workers, firefighters, law enforcement and other first responders can call a mobile phone, 575-208-4192, at any time, seven days a week, to be given information on the location of the shower and how to access it.

“Especially with the cases rising, if they want to shower and change clothes before they come into contact with their

family, we want to offer that,” she said.

The entire Salvation Army network is treating the situation as an emergency, much like a natural disaster, she said.

Locally, the administrative offices and thrift store have closed and all 14 staff are working at the food bank at 207 E. Chisum St. The need has increased significantly in recent weeks, Woollin said. The organization used to give out 400 boxes a month. Now they are distributing 53 boxes every five-day work week.

In the beginning of the COVID-19 restrictions in early March, supplies ran low, but now the organization is able to keep a steady stock, she said.

“We are significantly over budget, but if that is what we need to do to keep feeding people, that is what we are going to do,” she said.

Donations of food or money are still welcome. At one time, food donations weren’t being accepted, but the organi-

Proper handwashing helps all of us stay healthy, so remember to be aware and do your part to help protect yourself and others!

zation is accepting food items now that it has come up with a way to sanitize them before distributing them to others.

Many people are first-time clients who have lost their jobs, had their hours significantly reduced or lost income as self-employed workers. Income eligibility is only required for those who receive the senior commodities food.

“The hardest one is when they are driving up, the new people. They are just very timid because they have never had to do this before. They feel kind of lost,” she said. “We try to be as gracious as possible to walk them through the process and assure them that, if they are in the same predicament next month, they are welcome to come back.”

The group also continues to provide homeless meals. It used to serve meals prior to Sunday service. Now that the 10 a.m. service is online only and restrictions on gatherings are in place, they are offering to-go bags with food on Sundays, as well as delivering food to places where they know the homeless live. They also are providing dinners on

Tuesdays and Thursdays to homeless shelters, as well as delivering the food to those in need.

Woollin said that people have been gracious for the assistance, which the staff and the volunteers appreciate.

The hope is that health, business and employment recovery will begin in this area soon, but the local organization is also talking with its affiliates regarding its next step. That’s coming up with a plan to meet the needs of local residents once the grace periods end for deferments of utility payments and rents. The exact plan for assisting isn’t known yet, but the need is recognized.

“We are trying to be pro-active — and I know a lot of agencies are trying to be pro-active — in figuring out what we can do once this is all lifted to have them not have their utilities shut off and have them not be evicted.”

Senior Writer Lisa Dunlap can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext. 351, or at reporter02@rdrnews.com.

One Thing is Certain in Uncertain Times − OUR COMMITMENT to You! Central Valley Electric Cooperative continues to be there for you during the COVID-19 pandemic, but our operations and how we do business have been adjusted in order to keep our members and our employees safe and healthy.

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Our office is closed to the public, but you can still conveniently pay your bill through our drive-thru window, or put your payment in our night drop box, pay online at www.

CVECOOP.org or mail in your payment.

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We are wearing latex gloves to handle items trhough the drive-thru and the mail.

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If you need to report a power outage or emergency, or if you just need general information please give us a call at 575-746-3571.

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For the latest update on CVE follow us on Facebook.

Central Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc. 1403 N. 13th Street • PO Box 230 • Artesia, NM 88211-0230 (575) 746-3571 Roswell/Dexter/Artesia • (575) 752-3366 Hagerman www.CVECOOP.org

APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

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APRIL 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

ROSWELL. FOUNDED IN 1871.

(VISITED IN 1947.)

CHALLENGED IN 22020.

BELIEVED IN EVERY DAY AFTER.