Monitoring sewage may offer early detection, help with testing

Staff Reports

New Mexico began its initial phase of the New Mexico Wastewater Surveillance System, a COVID-19 wastewater monitoring program at congregate settings, in the southwest region of New Mexico the week of Dec.7.

This approach led by the New Mexico Environment Department and done in cooperation with other state agencies and local governments, allows for early detection of COVID-19 in congregate facilities and helps prioritize the use of individual-based testing resources (e.g. nasal swab testing).

Included in the initial effort are several federal, state and local correctional and Children...

Week ending Friday, December 4, 2020

Record Heat

The U.N. weather agency predicts that 2020 will come in as almost the hottest year on record, just behind the current record-holder, 2016. Global weather data now put this year as the second-warmest ever, with its heat waves, devastating tropical cyclones and firestorms. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres told an audience at New York’s Columbia University that manmade greenhouse gas emissions are to blame, and that world leaders have yet to adequately confront the climate crisis. “To put it simply, the state of the planet is broken,” said Guterres. “Humanity is waging war on nature. This is...

Dine model/photographer creates positive life out of adversity

When Shundeen Modell was a young Diné girl living in Arizona, she faced a lot of obstacles. In her home, she dealt with alcoholic parents, domestic violence, and abuse. At school she was bullied by children who made fun of her for being too thin.

“I remember kids would tease me because I was so skinny,” she said. “They would trip me and push me into the lockers and now it’s funny because when they see me now (laughing), they [guys] try to hit on me on Facebook.”

“I’ve forgiven them, but I just want to move on. But [I am] watching my boundaries.”

Raised in Teesto, Ariz., then relocated to Sanders...

Red-to-Green system to be used for New Mexico counties

SANTA FE — Counties in New Mexico may be able to reopen and increase capacity at non-essential businesses.

On Dec. 2, the state transitioned into a three-tier county-by-county system that will determine where restrictions can be eased.

“The county-by-county framework enables counties, and the businesses and nonprofits within their borders, to operate with fewer restrictions when they slow the spread of the virus and drive down test positivity rates,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham explained.

“It’s been a difficult year and an especially difficult past month. We must remain as vigilant as ever to contain and beat the...