COVID-19 Update, June 24, 2021 | City of Santa Fe

COVID-19 Update, June 24, 2021

24 Jun, 2021

Safe. Open. Together

#AllTogetherSantaFe #SantaFePromise

BACK-TO-SCHOOL VACCINATIONS: With a 4-5 week waiting period between vaccinations, students 12 and older should get their first shot now in order to get their boosters in time for the start of school -- SFPS opening day is slated for August 6, 2021. The City is working with community health organizations, the Department of Health, and Santa Fe County to begin back-to-school vaccination efforts. La Familia Medical Center is hosting an event this Saturday, June 26, for youth ages 12-17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nancy Rodriguez Community Center located at 1 Prairie Dog Loop. Parental consent is required for minors; parents are advised to register eligible 12-17-year-old children at vaccinenm.org/registration using the event code AGHETP. For help in registering, contact La Familia’s COVID-19 scheduling line at (505) 982-6934. 

VACCINE EFFECTIVE AGAINST DELTA VARIANT: “The delta variant is currently the greatest threat in the U.S. to our attempt to eliminate COVID-19,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said at a recent White House briefing. “Good news: Our vaccines are effective against the delta variant.” The variant has in the last two weeks come to represent more than 20 percent of coronavirus infections in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday. That’s double what it was when the CDC last reported on the variant’s prevalence. The DOH urges all eligible (12+) residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccinenm.org.

REOPENINGS BOOST ECONOMY: In recent months, rising vaccination rates and lower restrictions that come with them have boosted the local economy. For the third consecutive month, Santa Fe’s Gross Taxable Receipts show significant year-over-year growth compared to both 2020 and 2019 – an indicator that the recovery from the pandemic-induced recession is gaining momentum. Learn more about the recovery here.

GET VACCINATED TO ENTER SWEEPSTAKES: The DOH has started awarding prizes in the “Vax 2 the Max Sweepstakes.” In order to qualify for any of the many prizes -- including the Grand Prize of $5 million! -- you must be 18 or older and have registered for and received at least one dose. To learn more and opt in, go to: getthefacts.vaccinenm.org/sweepstakes

NEED A VACCINATION?: On the DOH Public vaccination calendar, residents can search and find a host of vaccine events, based on vaccination type, location, and date, and type of vaccine (primary or booster) at the public calendar on the DOH registration portal. Convenient locales like Walgreens and CVS pharmacies are listed on the calendar, as well as supermarkets and Walmart pharmacies.

ECONOMIC RELIEF APPLICATIONS DUE TOMORROW: The New Mexico Human Services Department is accepting applications for economic relief from New Mexico residents who did not qualify for federal pandemic stimulus payments. Payments will be provided to low-income households based on funding availability. Applications are available at the Yes New Mexico website, yes.state.nm.us, and must be submitted by June 25, 2021 at 3 p.m. That’s tomorrow! Act fast.

AID FOR HOUSING COSTS: Residents may seek assistance from the following sources:

  • For renters: Anyone who needs help with up to 15 months worth of rent or utilities because of the pandemic can tap the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Apply at RentHelpNM.org.
  • For homeowners: The State of New Mexico’s Mortgage Finance Authority: MFA Housing New Mexico (housingnm.org)
  • For assistance with utility payments, the following organizations have resources: Rent Help NM (link above), Adelante Santa Fe Public Schools, Connect, St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, St. Vincent de Paul, The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Help New Mexico, San Isidro Catholic Church, Life Link, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Income Support Division, Salvation Army, Communities in Schools New Mexico, and Westminster Presbyterian Church;
  • If utility payments are overdue to the City, customers may set up a payment plan by calling Utility Billing’s main number (505) 955-4333, and selecting option 2. 
  • Anyone in need of resources, whether for food, or help due to unemployment, or dealing with a housing crisis, contact CONNECT for direction to resources that help during these tough economic times. Call (505) 995-9525 or go to gov/CONNECT.

THE DRIVE TO 75: Mayor Alan Webber made a call to action on his Tuesday WebberCast for our community to get to 75% fully vaccinated as soon as possible. The latest numbers from the DOH vaccine dashboard show that Santa Fe County is 68.2% fully vaccinated.

THANK YOU, SANTA FE. WE GOT HERE BY:

  • Swiftly declaring a public health crisis via emergency orders.
  • Prioritizing equity as the basis for every decision and action.
  • Mounting a robust bilingual outreach campaign that carried our message citywide.
  • Partnering with community stakeholders to deliver resources – masks, sanitizer, COVID-safety flyers, and more – to vulnerable populations.
  • Establishing an emergency shelter to protect and support those experiencing homelessness during COVID.
  • Collaborating with the County to launch the CONNECT program to allocate funds to individuals for rental assistance, paying utilities, access to food, obtaining healthcare services and more.  
  • Earning $17.5 million in CARES funding from the state for exemplary initial response and quickly pivoting that funding to bolster our efforts.  
  • Working seamlessly with state and county partners to lead the country in vaccine distribution.
  • Providing site, staff, and logistical support for vaccination events at Midtown, where nearly 10K doses were administered.
  • And most importantly, by rising to the occasion and taking care of each other – family, friends, and community. 

NEED TO KNOW:

  • Vaccinations for New Mexicans under age 18 require parental consent, and Pfizer is the only vaccine available for anyone under 18. 
  • Those 12 and older are now eligible to register for and receive their vaccinations.
  • Vaccinations are free -- there is no cost to you or your family.
  • No identification is required to be vaccinated.
  • Vaccines are available to New Mexico residents regardless of immigration status, which does not need to be declared at any point in the process.

IN THE KNOW: Make sure you’re signed up for City notifications and alertsand encourage your community to do so, too. Santafenm.gov/NOTIFICATIONS

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