Eighty-one days; counting down

SANTA FE - New Mexico small businesses in financial distress due to the COVID-19 crisis are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for loans made available under the federal stimulus bill.

The stimulus bill, or Cares Act, allocates $349 billion for loans to small businesses. But businesses only have until June 30 to access the money, and loans will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

“This money will go quickly, and New Mexico small businesses must act as soon as possible to obtain loans,” Economic Development Secretary Alicia Keyes said April 4. “Many businesses struggling through this crisis need a financial bridge to help them survive...

Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., joined five senators in an April 7 address to introduce the COVID-19 “Heroes Fund” proposal to give Tribal frontline workers equal access to the proposed $25,000 premium for essential workers and implement the $15,000 Essential Worker Recruitment Incentive to attract and secure the frontline workforce needed to fight the public health crisis.

“Essential frontline workers in New Mexico, Indian Country, and across America are risking their own health to protect ours, to care for our loved ones, and to keep our communities safe and running. We owe these heroes – the health care workers, first responders, law enforcement, grocery clerks, delivery workers...

Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., U. S. House assistant speaker Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., introduced the Coronavirus Community Relief Act.  He was joined by Congressmembers Joe Neguse, D- Colo., Andy Levin, D-Mich., and Tom Malinowski, D-N.J., in support of providing $250 billion in stabilization funds for local communities, towns, and cities across the United States that need relief amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, signed into law on March 27, provided stabilization funds for states and larger communities, but capped the localities able to receive direct support at those with populations of over 500,000. This excludes some large metropolitan...

President Nez: ‘When we isolate ourselves, we isolate the virus’

After announcing a stay-at-home order, ordering all essential businesses to close, and even implementing a nightly curfew, the number of positive COVID-19 cases is still rising on the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center, said there are 488 cases on the Navajo Nation as of April 8, with another 62 cases being confirmed that day.

The 488 cases include the following counties:

Navajo County, Ariz.: 186

Apache County, Ariz.: 50

Coconino County, Ariz.: 116

McKinley County, N.M.: 45

San Juan County, N.M.: 70

Cibola...