As the boredom of social distancing starts to set in, ironically picking up a book about situations more uncertain than our own can keep us entertained. Each of these novels focuses on a pandemic or an apocalypse caused by a pandemic.
Here at UNM, we're a week into our extended spring break, and I've spent all of my time in my room writing about math. And if you know me, you probably knew that I was going to spend my break this way, pandemic isolation or not. Before I get into it, let me just say this: I know everyone is afraid, confused, upset and probably feeling a little panicked. Don’t get me wrong — I am, too. This is a global catastrophe, the likes of which recorded history rarely sees. And because of this, I understand that graphs aren't exactly everyone's main concern right now. The problem is that I'm seeing a lot of numbers flying around with little clarity, which I can only imagine is going to cause more panic as we barrel into a national scenario that's absolutely going to get much, much worse before it gets any better.
Aaron Ceceñas sat alone at a chrome-colored table outside of the Student Residence Center (SRC) March 21. He was waiting for his parents to get him and all his stuff packed neatly in a cardboard box to his right. Like dozens of other students, Ceceñas was using what will likely be his last Saturday on campus to move out. “And this is my last year too,” he told the Daily Lobo. ”Coming from a senior’s perspective, cause I was gonna…” Ceceñas parents arrived that moment, pulling his attention away. He motioned for them to park between two cars in front of La Posada Dining Hall, the impromptu parking lot normally used at the beginning and end of the school year.
For more than eight years, the La Montañita Grab and Go market adjacent to the University of New Mexico Bookstore offered on-the-go options to the community ranging from breakfast burritos to organic macaroni and cheese. Now, one of UNM's only sources of locally grown and organic food has shut its doors for good. After years of financial losses, the Co-op's board of directors announced the UNM location, alongside the member and employee-owned food cooperative's Westside store, would close permanently.
Typically in times of national disasters, people line the streets to donate blood. But in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the act of donating likely puts donors at increased risk of infection. Yet, doctors across the country are asking young people to donate anyway. Dr. Ralph Vassallo, chief medical and scientific officer for Vitalant, said the demand for blood transfusion is greater than the blood supply available. That demand, Vassallo said, is not going away despite the outbreak.
It's official. The University of New Mexico announced Thursday that all classes that can go online will go online. The rest are canceled. Throughout spring break, various components across UNM's main campus closed or restricted access piece-by-piece as a way to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. In New Mexico, 43 people have tested positive for the disease COVID-19 as of March 20, including 23 people in Bernalillo County.
The Student Union Building announced Wednesday it would be closed to all but non-essential staff until further notice. In an email sent to student organization leaders and members, the Student Activities Center stated that access to student organizations' office spaces and the Lobo Lair Computer Pod would be restricted as well beginning at 5 p.m. on March 18. The closure comes alongside dozens of other University initiatives to mitigate the effects of the current health crisis, including the partial closures of Zimmerman Library and Johnson Gym and restricted operations of La Posada Dining Hall and the Student Resident Center Market, among others.
The University of New Mexico is sending home nearly all residents of on-campus dorms by March 24, according to an email sent out to dorm residents. Residents of Alvarado, Coronado, Hokona, Laguna, DeVargas, Redondo Village, Santa Clara, the Student Resource Center (SRC) Apartments and Casas Del Rio were told Thursday they would need to find somewhere else to stay for the rest of the spring semester. Student housing officials said Lobo Village, Lobo Rainforest and Student Family Housing will remain open as of the publication of this article.
SANTA FE — Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Wednesday that all bars, restaurants and breweries will end in-person service until April 10, limiting food service to delivery or take-out only. Lujan Grisham announced the aggressive action during a press conference alongside confirming five new cases of COVID-19, including a Bernalillo County woman who contracted the disease in New Mexico. The current total is 28. The Governor also directed shopping malls, movie theaters and gyms to close until April 5.
As cases of the novel coronavirus reach double digits in Bernalillo County, local business owners are grappling with a decrease in sales. The New Mexico Economic Development Department is offering aid for businesses amidst the health crisis, such as emergency loans and credit to local business owners who are affected by COVID-19. Effective March 16, the Governor's office issued a mandate requiring restaurants to temporarily limit patronage to half of their maximum occupancy. Tables and booths can't sit more than six people and must be six feet away from the nearest table, according to the City of Albuquerque.
Hopes were set high for LoboTHON in 2020, but with the coronavirus pandemic causing cancellations and closures across campus, this year's Dance Marathon later has also been canceled. With the recent confirmed cases of COVID-19, it was estimated over 100,000 people have been affected around the world. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic on March 11. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham banned events exceeding 100 persons on March 12 and a declared state of emergency the previous day. The University of New Mexico followed suit and canceled any event exceeding 50 persons. This has resulted in the cancelation of many events, including sporting games, concerts, festivals, and movies.
As researchers around the world attempt to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center (HSC) researchers are among their ranks. Dr. Steven Bradfute, an assistant professor in the Center for Global Health and Department of Internal Medicine at HSC, confirmed Thursday, March 12 that UNM researchers have received samples of the coronavirus and are ready to test it. Bradfute and his team are contributing to research efforts to try to find a vaccine for COVID-19 amid an increase in presumptive positive cases in New Mexico. As of March 17, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) identified 23 presumptive positive cases of the novel coronavirus in the state.
With the University of New Mexico and Albuquerque Public Schools both on a three-week break, many students and faculty with children need meals to fulfill the hunger once provided by the schools. In New Mexico, all public K-12 schools have closed for three weeks, as mandated by the Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Students who had previously relied on school lunches are now at home during the day, while their parents must leave for work. APS has announced a “Grab & Go” meal program for students. Meals can be picked up at one of 89 schools from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning March 16. The list of participating schools can be found on the Albuquerque Public Schools website. The student must be present to receive a meal.
The University of New Mexico has been canceling events frequently due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Some of these events include the cancelation of all Popejoy events until May 1, the cancelation of Fiestas, Farmworkers Awareness Week and the closure of the UNM Art Museum during spring break. UNM Housing recommended students stay off-campus during the extended break if possible. However, some resources will stay open on campus for the students that cannot leave, like Zimmerman library and meal plan options, both with limited hours.
The University of New Mexico apologized Saturday for confusion surrounding two messages regarding the extended break. “Broadly, the spring break extension that was announced for students did not have explicit provisions for whether academic content would be available after March 23,” a press release said. On Friday, UNM President Garnett Stokes announced UNM would extend spring break by two weeks, from March 15 to April 5. Stokes’ address didn’t mention coursework or class schedules.
Though campus will be closed, some classes will resume during the “extended spring break,” according to a campus message from Provost James Holloway. This latest announcement, released late Friday evening, comes as UNM scrambles to prevent the spread of COVID-19 onto Main campus. Earlier in the day, UNM announced it would be extending spring break by two weeks, from March 15 to April 5. “You should be in contact with your instructors about their instructional plans for this period, as other forms of instruction may continue,” the Campus Communication said. Online classes will continue as normal, including the online second-half classes, according to the provost’s communication.
As pieces of the University shut down, the Women’s History Month exhibit will remain open. The University of New Mexico’s Zimmerman Library has been displaying an art exhibit “We Knew Exactly What You Wanted and WE. GOT. IT.” since March 2 and will continue through April 6 during regular business hours. On March 13, UNM President Garnett Stokes announced the University of New Mexico will be on an extended spring break until April 5 with limited University operations. Essentials such as Student Health and Counseling (SHAC), student housing and Zimmerman Library are expected to remain open. This art exhibit is an educational timeline highlighting important women and movements in the women’s suffrage movement, in honor of Women’s History Month in March.
The University of New Mexico will reduce the number of employees on campus and instruct some staff to work from home — the latest measure to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. According to a press release from UNM President Garnett Stokes, staff will be notified Monday, March 16 if they will be asked to work from home. “UNM employees are a critical and valued part of our community and will continue to be compensated during this period of limited operations,” the release said.
The University of New Mexico will be on spring break until April 5, according to UNM President Garnett Stokes. Student Health and Counseling (SHAC), Residence Life and Student Housing, La Posada Dining Hall and Zimmerman Library will remain open throughout the extended break, according to University officials. Down south, New Mexico State University (NMSU) followed other campuses and extended spring break by a week to curb the spread of the disease while remaining open for those dependent on-campus services, which was announced on March 13. New Mexico Tech also extended their spring break until March 23.
The University of New Mexico has canceled Uni Nights for the remainder of the semester due to growing concerns about the novel coronavirus at UNM and around the state. The last three Uni Nights of the spring 2020 semester — Disco Night planned for March 27, Plant night planned for April 17 and Late-Night Breakfast planned for May 10 — have all been canceled and are being rescheduled. The Student Union Building released a statement on Facebook that said, “The Student Union has postponed the remaining spring programs due to the impact of the COVID-19 virus until further notice.”
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