Pandemic Pressures
In this week’s Chile Street:
New Mexico hospitals struggle with staffing and complications brought by covid
Mosquitoes are invading and experts warn the state may be unprepared to handle virus often carried by them
Democrats and Republicans criticize Ronchetti for crime ad
Election deniers rally behind an unrepentant Couy Griffin
Prosecutors offer deal to man involved in the murder of a Las Vegas woman but stipulate he must lead them to her remains
And much more!
Good morning! Today is Friday, Sept. 16. Here’s a look at the past week in New Mexico news.
Pandemic Pressures
Hospitals in the New Mexico are still struggling with workforce issues exacerbated by the covid-19 pandemic, Julia Goldberg reported for the Santa Fe Reporter.
Covid continues to hospitalize people, and hospitals are still seeing an uptick in the number of people seeking treatment for issues they put off during the pandemic. These factors, coupled with a nationwide shortage of hospital workers, is putting pressure on New Mexico’s health care systems.
New Mexico hospitals employ more than 8,000 bedside nurses, 50 percent of doctors in the state, and 758 primary care providers, and all hospitals continue to face workforce shortages, according to a report.
While the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report showed a rise in health care employment in August, overall employment in health care nationally remained below February 2020 numbers.
For more, and to learn what hospitals are doing to address staffing issues, read Goldberg’s story here (no paywall): sfreporter.com/news/2022/09/13/picture-of-health/
Mosquito Madness
You’re not crazy. The mosquito situation this year is worse than usual. Tiny, quiet black-and-white pests known officially as Aedes aegypti have spread rapidly and are invading yards and homes across Albuquerque and parts south, and there’s little we can do about it, Sara Van Note reported for Source New Mexico.
The invasive species have spread rapidly across the state in recent years as a result of climate change. And while they’re a nuisance, these mosquitoes are also the primary way the mosquito-borne viruses Zika, Chikungunya, dengue fever, and yellow fever are spread. Though currently, none of these diseases have been detected in New Mexico, experts warn these mosquitoes could be behind “explosive epidemics” in the future.
Because these particular mosquitoes like to feast on humans, experts fear that just one Aedes aegypti mosquito could spread a virus rapidly.
Experts are also concerned that state health officials are not prepared to address a new mosquito-borne disease.
For ways you can protect yourself, and to read a written response from the New Mexico Department of Health, read Van Note’s story here (no paywall): sourcenm.com/2022/09/12/a-new-mosquito-is-stalking-new-mexico-is-the-state-ready/
Other Top Stories
Democrats and Republicans criticize Ronchetti for ad — Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Ronchetti is facing criticism from both Democrats and Republicans over an recent ad, John Cardinale of KOAT-TV reported.
In the TV spot, Ronchetti’s wife Krysty details a terrifying home invasion she says happened at the family's home. The ad also points the finger at Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for crime problems in Albuquerque. However, critics point out that the incident took place a decade ago (prior to Lujan Grisham being governor), and through a records request, KOAT found that no police report was taken after police responded.
Watch of read Cardinale's story here (no paywall): koat.com/article/democrats-and-republicans-call-out-mark-ronchettis-latest-campaign-ad/41126131
Election deniers rally behind an unrepentant Griffin — Many on the right are rallying behind former Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin following his court-ordered removal from his commission seat, Andrew Beale reported for Source New Mexico.
Griffin appeared on election denier Joe Oltmann’s podcast, where Oltmann repeatedly called the judge who ordered Griffin's removal a “Nazi.” Oltmann also encouraged listeners to donate to a fund to support Griffin's appeal efforts. By the end of the weekend, the effort had raised nearly $10,000.
Read Beale's story here (no paywall): sourcenm.com/2022/09/13/election-deniers-rally-behind-an-unrepentant-couy-griffin/
Judge allows ex-felon to stay on the ballot — An ex-felon who’s running for a state House seat in Albuquerque’s South Valley will remain on the general election ballot — at least for now — after a judge ruled Wednesday that a New Mexico law barring felons from holding office unless they are pardoned is unconstitutional, Dan Boyd of the Albuquerque Journal reported.
Read Boyd's story here (paywall): abqjournal.com/2532243/judge-rules-nm-law-on-ex-felons-holding-office-is-unconstitutional.html
Prosecutors offer deal contingent on locating remains of Cindy Rivera — A man charged with kidnapping in connection with the disappearance and murder of Cindy Rivera a decade ago is set to accept a plea agreement that requires him to lead authorities to Rivera’s remain, Ryan Lowery reported for the Las Vegas Optic.
Read Lowery's story here (no paywall): lasvegasoptic.com/news/community/prosecutors-offer-deal-contingent-on-locating-remains-of-cindy-rivera/article_8389ad90-350e-11ed-bc3a-133f36da3112.html
Temporary solutions keep Las Vegas water crisis from worsening — A temporary pre-reatment system installed by the City of Las Vegas to turn water from Storrie Lake into drinking water has been operating for more than a week, and the early results seem promising. As of Tuesday, the City of Las Vegas had 36 days of treatable water, and that number continues to rise as more water is treated, Phil Scherer of the Las Vegas Optic reported.
Read Scherer's story here (no paywall): lasvegasoptic.com/news/community/temporary-solutions-keep-las-vegas-water-crisis-from-worsening/article_7e76825a-338e-11ed-b5a2-53fd203ba051.html
On A Lighter Note
The New Mexico State Fair continues through Sunday at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are City and County Employee Appreciation Days. Anyone employed by a New Mexico city or county government can get in for $8.00.
Regular admission is $15 for adults, and $8 for children and anyone 65 and older. Children under the age of 5 are admitted free.
Parking is $10 per car.
The Fair is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
That’s it for now. Have a great weekend!
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Who’s responsible for Chile Street? The culprit is Ryan Lowery, a New Mexico journalist living in Albuquerque.
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