The unsung heroes of NM’s pandemic
Until recently, New Mexico was doing an exceptional job of containing the coronavirus, so much so that our state received national attention. Current trends are extremely concerning, and it’s clear New Mexicans need to double down to stop the spread of coronavirus and regain lost ground.
New Mexico’s previous track record of keeping coronavirus at bay was due to the commitment of New Mexicans to follow safety guidelines and the leadership of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Government employees are the ones that turn the governor’s leadership into action. It’s important for New Mexicans to know that the response is due to a passionate and dedicated public health workforce.
New Mexico’s public health infrastructure has been decimated by funding cuts over the years, resulting in severe understaffing, and a lack of necessary equipment and other resources. Given this fact, the response to the virus is nothing short of miraculous. The hardworking employees of the Department of Health’s (DOH) Public Health and Epidemiology and Response Divisions have been the backbone of the pandemic response. This includes Public Health staff who have stood up and maintained testing sites across New Mexico, often seven days a week; contact tracers, case investigators, and case monitors that many of you have undoubtedly spoken with on the phone; and nurses that answer the COVID-19 hotline.
Public Health employees also study the impact of coronavirus on children; educate the public about the importance of maintaining childhood and adult vaccinations during COVID; establish shelters for people who test positive with nowhere else to go; ensure the availability of human and other resources where needed; and help staff the state Emergency Operations Center.
The Epidemiology and Response employees collect, analyze and interpret surveillance, hospitalization and medication data on a daily basis; staff the Department Operations Center to ensure that testing kits, and other equipment and supplies
are ordered and distributed across the state; coordinate the deployment of volunteers where they’re most needed; and ensure that New Mexico’s response follows Incident Command System protocols.
Other major players from the New Mexico Department of Health include the staffers at the Scientific Laboratory who have been analyzing thousands of tests since the beginning, and the Division of Health Improvement, which has been assuring the safety of health facilities around the state.
Other government agencies also contribute to New Mexico’s response. The state Environment Department works closely with DOH on rapid response when businesses have a positive COVID case, ensuring isolation and quarantine of hundreds of exposed employees, as well as deep cleaning. The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) includes coordinators from a variety of departments, including Agriculture, Transportation, Indian Affairs, Human Services, the Federal Emergency Management Administration and other disciplines. The EOC coordinates the response, which includes distribution of food, water, equipment and supplies in a timely and efficient manner. The EOC simultaneously monitors such other threats as wildland fires, disruptive weather events and large public gatherings, such as protests.
Also, there are your hardworking local government employees — city and county managers and their staff, as well as county emergency managers — who play a crucial role in the local response, including the distribution of personal protective equipment at the local level, as well as communications among local entities.
For months already, and for months to come, these folks have worked and will continue to work on New Mexico’s response to the pandemic in addition to their regular duties. They are understandably exhausted. If you know these individuals, please thank them for keeping you safe whether you were aware of it or not.
Right now, the best thing you can do for them, yourself, your loved ones and all New Mexicans is to continue to follow public health guidelines to wear a mask in public, social distance, isolate if you’re sick, wash your hands frequently and avoid gatherings. All of our lives depend on it.