coronavirus

Culture

UNM graduate students create homemade ventilator design

Megan Gleason | May 9

University of New Mexico graduate students Mostafa Peysokhan and Maryam Bahmani created a simple ventilator design in mid-April with hopes of helping hospitals low on ventilators. The homemade ventilator “CorVent” was designed to be cheap and easy to create, with little tools necessary. “We decided to design a very simple and inexpensive ventilator that anyone in any part of the world can easily make,” Bahmani said.

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News

COVID cost UNM nearly $50 million in lost revenue

Justin Garcia | May 5

The novel coronavirus hit the University of New Mexico’s budget hard. Teresa Costantinidis, UNM vice president for finance and administration, told a Board of Regents Committee that COVID-19 has cost UNM $49.8 million in lost revenue.  Administrators didn’t say what actions they might take to stem off repercussions of the revenue lost beyond lobbying the federal government for more relief. However, Provost James Holloway told the Daily Lobo that UNM is under a hiring freeze with an undetermined end date.  “We do expect (for fiscal year 2020) additional allocations of approximately $10 million in total,” Costantinidis said. 

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Culture

“Hamilton” adjusts to the COVID-19 pandemic

Loreena Cain | May 5

The touring cast of the Broadway hit “Hamilton” scheduled a visit to Popejoy from Jan. 19 to Feb. 7, 2021, however, with the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic it is unclear if people will be allowed to gather in large crowds come early next year. “While it is far too soon to tell whether COVID-19 will affect the performances of Hamilton scheduled to begin in Popejoy Hall on January 19, we know we have a great partner in the production of Hamilton that will do all it can to reschedule those performances as quickly as possible, should our three-week run of the show be closed down due to the pandemic,” Popejoy Marketing Manager Terry Davis said,  Broadway shows in New York City have been shuttered since March 12 and are set to remain closed through at least June 7, and it is likely that the shutdown will continue past that date. Touring shows have also been canceled across the country including Popejoy’s planned performances of “Escape to Margaritaville” and “The Play that Goes Wrong”.

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Culture

Film students adapt to COVID restrictions

Jeanette DeDios | May 1

Seniors of the Film and Digital Media Arts Department (FDMA) have struggled to stay motivated while trying to find alternative ways to finish their capstone projects. With the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 and the rules that prohibit face-to-face interaction, students are finding it harder to cope in a world of uncertainty. The University of New Mexico students enrolled in the FDMA program study under a four year cohort program that teaches them skills of filmmaking and prepares them to work within the film industry after graduation. The culmination of their hard work is presented in their senior capstones where they work in crews to create a film, video game or animation from beginning to end. 

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News

COVID-19 disproportionately impacts marginalized populations

Amanda Britt | April 29

The coronavirus pandemic is not the great equalizer some in the limelight have touted it to be.  Melanie Moses, UNM professor of computer science, has been studying the racial disparities of the coronavirus spreading within our state. Moses said there needs to be policies implemented to protect vulnerable groups as individuals plan to open economies, distribute personal protective equipment and develop vaccination plans. “There are shocking disparities among African, Latinx and Native-American populations with mortality rates at rates at least two or three times higher than white populations,” Moses said. At least 31% of New Mexicans who’ve contracted COVID-19 are Native American despite only making up about 11% of the population, according to an article New Mexico In Depth published based on publicly available data.

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Culture

Local acequias lack proper maintenance during stay-at-home order

Daniel Ward | April 28

None of the Pajarito Meadows residents expected to go outside and find half the houses flooding one afternoon in early April. Some houses were drenched two to three feet deep in water from the nearby acequia. However, the reason why the acequias overflowed is a different story.  Many acequias in New Mexico are open and running despite having to cancel their community spring cleaning day. As the stay-at-home order continues, cleaning the acequias has been put on hold for many New Mexico communities.  Since acequias are not Albuquerque’s main source of farm water, keeping them clean has become a hassle in some areas.

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News

UNM announces virtual commencement ceremony

Makayla Grijalva | April 27

In an email sent to those graduating in spring 2020 on April 27, the University of New Mexico President Garnett Stokes officially announced a virtual celebration to honor graduates.  The celebration will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 9 a.m, with more details expected to come later this week from the Office of the University Secretary. The email added that a virtual commencement does not replace an in-person one, so spring 2020 graduates will be invited to walk at a later commencement ceremony.  “To say that a virtual celebration is an imperfect solution would be an enormous understatement—and believe me, I’m as upset as you are that we won’t be celebrating your new degree in person, in a crowded Dreamstyle Arena (Pit) filled with family and friends,” Stokes said in the email. “Commencement is a life experience, a genuine rite of passage—and as such, it truly cannot be experienced virtually.”

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News

Politics, misinformation enter fray as 'anti-quarantine' protest and COVID cases continue

Andrew Gunn | April 26

A small group of protesters demanding the reopening of New Mexico’s economy gathered at Civic Plaza Friday while the death toll from the coronavirus in New Mexico continues to mount. The demonstration — organized locally on Facebook by longshot Republican congressional candidate Brett Kokinadis and a group called “NM Freedom Rally - Operation Gridlock NM” — mirrored other anti-quarantine protests held in Santa Fe and across the country in recent weeks calling for the softening of social distancing restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic. While the small nationwide protests continue to make headlines and grab attention online, their origins remain unclear. A Washington Post article found that three brothers from Ohio were responsible for some of the largest anti-quarantine Facebook groups in the country.

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News

Agora Crisis Center faces high-volume chat services during pandemic

Megan Gleason | April 24

The University’s Agora Crisis Center has seen an increase in the use of their services during the coronavirus pandemic. Agora — a UNM student organization — is a free, confidential all-issues support center accessible to anyone.  “Our whole mission is really to just help our community,” Agora Associate Director Kyle Dougherty said. “Anybody can get in contact with us at any time.” Agora reported they’ve had an increase in online chat services, while their phone services remain consistent with previous records.

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News

UNM Bookstore extends book rental return deadline

Makayla Grijalva | April 23

The University of New Mexico bookstore altered its spring 2020 textbook rental return policy to accommodate the unusual situation some students are finding themselves in due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   The change in policy includes a rental extension from May 16 to May 20, as well as options to return textbooks through a mail-in or a drive-thru drop off method.  “In light of the current health crisis, the UNM Bookstore has revised the previous textbook rental return procedures and deadlines in order to adhere to the most recent public health guidelines and the University’s limited operations status,” a press release from UNM bookstore management said.

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Culture

Organizations work to address hunger amid pandemic

Amanda Britt | April 22

One in six people struggle with food insecurity in New Mexico, according to Feeding America, the United States' largest domestic hunger-relief organization. That’s roughly 324,000 New Mexicans, including one in four children, struggling with hunger every day. Local food banks, farmers, and growers markets are each doing their part to address hunger in New Mexico. Roadrunner Foodbank has partnered with Feeding America to distribute over 31 million meals to people dealing with hunger in counties all over New Mexico. Roadrunner is currently the only partner of Feeding America in New Mexico

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News

New Mexico sees anti-quarantine protest as deaths, cases continue to climb

Justin Garcia | April 20

SANTA FE — Circling the mostly empty state capitol building, about 16 cars blared their horns in a parade-style protest Monday afternoon. Many had adorned their vehicles with American flags and slogans like “F the Governor” and “Reopen New Mexico.” “High NOON drive around the Capitol — honk horns, paint cars or bring signs. SHOW UP. Do not park and walk — stay in your vehicles!” the event post on Facebook read.   The protesters called on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to “reopen” New Mexico after the state closed all non-essential business until at least April 30 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  While much more subdued, the Santa Fe protest coincides with protests across the country to reopen the United States’ shuttered economy, despite warnings about the lethal consequences of doing so.  The orders are meant to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus and are overwhelmingly endorsed by public health officials, doctors and researchers.  Still, fear of the virus that has killed 40,724 American’s as of April 18 — including 58 New Mexicans — was not enough to keep Monday’s protesters away. 

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Culture

Santa Fe Food Depot denies food donations during pandemic

Cameron Ward | April 20

Ever since COVID-19 has altered our lifestyles, many people have been looking to support the community. However, some food banks like the Food Depot in Santa Fe are denying food donations to prevent spreading the virus. Instead, they are asking for cash donations as a safer and more effective way of helping people across New Mexico in need of a meal.  The Food Depot has been known to distribute food to pantries across New Mexico as well as serving all 50 states.  According to their website, “the Food Depot does not want community members to give away resources that they may need should the crisis persist for longer than expected.”

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News

SHAC to hold campaign addressing sex during COVID-19

Makayla Grijalva | April 17

The University of New Mexico Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) will hold a campaign over social media entitled “Sex during COVID-19” to address uncertainties surrounding the spread of the disease during intercourse.  “Intimacy and sex are more risky during a pandemic.” Health Promotions Manager Tiffany Martinez-Durant said. “So, that’s why we try and tell students if you’re actively dating someone where you are going to go meet up, you have to really vet your partner and consider the impact of public health, your loved ones, so forth and so forth.”  Martinez-Durant said although people are generally aware of how the coronavirus spreads there are still many facts surrounding COVID-19 that many are not aware of, such as how the virus was found in fecal matter.   

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News

UNM to receive $17 million for student relief

Liam Debonis | April 17

The University of New Mexico will receive at least $8.6 million from the federal government to use toward emergency relief grants for students.  The money comes from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund established by the recent Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In total, UNM will receive $17,266,512 in “advance funds” from the U.S. Department of Education, according to the recipient agreement contract released by the Department. Of that figure, a minimum of $8,633,256 must be awarded in emergency financial aid grants to students. 

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Culture

Quarantine cuts

Alex McCausland | April 16

Tangled, greasy, bushy, overgrown, and unkempt.  As New Mexico’s quarantine restrictions continue to grow tighter, University of New Mexico students are forced to take matters into their own hands to tame their unruly hairs. Since Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered all “non-essential” businesses to close last month, New Mexico salons and barbershops have been out of commission. As a result, students who have grown accustomed to their regular trim, fade, shave and wax are having to get creative about how they maintain their favorite style at home. 

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News

UNMH employees protest lack of PPE

Liam Debonis and Bella Davis | April 15

Spaced apart following social distancing guidelines, University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) employees and allies waved signs and chanted as passing cars honked in a show of support on April 15. “What do we need?” one protester shouted. “PPE!” the crowd shouted back. They assembled in front of the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) to protest the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) accessible to the staff.