By ANN RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos

This is a letter I sent to the County Council members. I realize that the decisions made at Aspen Ridge are being made by the New Mexico Department of Health in Santa Fe as a response to the situation in Albuquerque.

However Los Alamos is not Albuquerque and I hope our County Council will stand up for the Los Alamos citizens living at Aspen Ridge.

Dear Council Members,

The Covid-19 shut down has been difficult on everyone in our county. However, I am especially concerned with our elderly in Aspen Ridge. They are currently confined to their rooms, which is taking a real and severe physical toil but also is causing serious detriment to their cognitive and emotional health.

I wonder if we as a county could find a way to make this easier for our elderly. I am thinking about the Mesa Rim Trail. It is one of many trails in Los Alamos that the rest of us can use but for the Aspen Ridge residents it is the only viable option to get out and walk in the sun and in nature.

Would it be possible to set aside the use of the Mesa Rim Trail for a part of every day for the use of Aspen Ridge residents only? Would we as a county be willing to not use that trail, for example from 8-11 a.m. every day so that Aspen Ridge residents could safely walk there without encountering others?

I think if we would make that sacrifice it could make a huge difference to our fellow citizens in Aspen Ridge.

Thank you for your consideration.