Skolnik: No, Mr. Rich – Low Cost Healthcare Does Not Lead To Lower Life Expectancy
By RICHARD SKOLNIK
Los Alamos
I write in response to the Mick Rich article published Jan. 1, “Rich: New Mexico From Bottom 10 To Top 10 In 10 Years.” (link)
All of us share Mr. Rich’s desire to see New Mexico improve its standing in health, education, and the economy. However, Mr. Rich’s suggestions about healthcare are certainly not a path for moving forward. Mr. Rich’s article noted:
“New Mexicans who enjoy nearly free healthcare have the lowest life expectancy. Yet our leaders want to expand free healthcare, to lower life expectancy for more people.”
Such comments reflect a profound ignorance
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Community State Public Safety Politics Columns Healthcare
Bloser: Why Are Support Groups For Parents Of Gifted Children Necessary?
By Mary Beth Bloser, MSSW, BCC, LLC
Life, Health, & Wellness Coaching
Los Alamos
There are many myths about gifted children. Probably the most prevalent is that gifted children are at an advantage academically, are more likely to succeed in school and in life, and therefore are easier to parent.
Before I became the parent of a gifted child, I too believed this myth. I thought gifted people were motivated
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Community Education Columns Healthcare
Roadrunner Lifting Spirits Around Los Alamos
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Arts Community Healthcare
Chart 294: COVID-19 In New Mexico Jan. 2, 2021

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County State Public Safety Politics Healthcare
New Mexico COVID-19 Update: 1,252 New Cases, Total Now 145,379 With 32 New Deaths And 67,573 Patients Recovered
SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials announced this afternoon 1,252 additional positive tests for COVID-19.
Los Alamos County reports 12 more cases today … the total is now 298 people who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Today’s update includes 32 new deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19.
The New Mexico Department of Health reports today the most recent cases:
- 268 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 1 new case in Catron County
- 48 new cases in Chaves County
- 18 new cases in Cibola County
- 3 new cases in Colfax County
- 30 new cases in Curry County
- 1 new case in De Baca County
- 117 new cases
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County State Public Safety Politics Healthcare
Los Alamos County Health Council Meets Virtually Jan. 7
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Health Council is meeting at noon Thursday, Jan. 7.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, the meeting will be conducted remotely via Zoom. The meeting is open to the public.
The link to attend is https://zoom.us/w/93313492832.
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Community County Healthcare
New Mexico COVID-19 Update: 1,286 New Cases, Total Now 144,142 With 25 New Deaths And 66,638 Patients Recovered
SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials announced this afternoon 1,286 additional positive tests for COVID-19.
Los Alamos County reports 3 more cases today … the total is now 286 people who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Today’s update includes 25 new deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19.
The New Mexico Department of Health reports today the most recent cases:
- 316 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 3 new cases in Catron County
- 55 new cases in Chaves County
- 21 new cases in Cibola County
- 10 new cases in Colfax County
- 54 new cases in Curry County
- 160 new cases in Doña Ana County
- 42 new
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County State Public Safety Politics Healthcare
Chart 293: COVID-19 In New Mexico Jan. 1, 2021

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Environment Department COVID-19 Watchlist: Dec. 31
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has updated its daily Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist, which includes New Mexico places of employment that have had two or more rapid responses in the last 14 days.
There are 67 establishments on the Watchlist.
The Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist and closure list, which includes all establishments that have been required to close, are posted here.
The Watchlist and other rapid response data is not updated online today, Jan. 1, as it is a holiday.
The state initiates a rapid response when it learns of a positive COVID-19 case in a workplace.
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State Public Safety Business Environment Healthcare
New Mexico COVID-19 Update: 1,684 New Cases, Total Now 142,864 With 41 New Deaths And 65,533 Patients Recovered
SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials announced this afternoon 1,684 additional positive tests for COVID-19.
Los Alamos County reports 11 more cases today … the total is now 284 people who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Today’s update includes 41 new deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19.
The New Mexico Department of Health reports today the most recent cases:
- 434 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 76 new cases in Chaves County
- 34 new cases in Cibola County
- 11 new cases in Colfax County
- 40 new cases in Curry County
- 5 new cases in De Baca County
- 118 new cases in Doña Ana County
- 44
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County State Public Safety Politics Healthcare
New Mexico PED And Partners Cut List Of Unaccounted-For Students Through Data Matching, Other Efforts
PED NEWS:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) and its partners have accounted for nearly half of the students who were enrolled in public schools last spring but not this fall and were therefore feared to be outside the educational system.
As of Wednesday, 6,270 students remained unaccounted for, down from 12,186 in mid-November. Most of those now accounted-for are enrolled in private or Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, have moved out of state, or are being home-schooled.
“I’m grateful that the Public Education Department and our partners have come so far in such a short
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Education State Business Healthcare
LARSO Shares Latest Update On Vaccine For Local Seniors
LARSO Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen
LARSO News:
The Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) has received additional information from the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department regarding the COVID-19 vaccine for local seniors.
“We beg people to please realize that this is a moving target,” LARSO Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen said. “Please be kind to my employees because they are operating on little information and simply don’t have an answer to many questions yet.”
It appears that the time frame for receiving the vaccine doses is early February
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Community State Healthcare
Chart 292: COVID-19 In New Mexico Dec. 31, 2020
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PED: 10 New Mexico Public Schools On COVID-19 Watchlist
PED News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) announced this morning that 10 New Mexico public school buildings now appear on the COVID-19 Watchlist in the holiday-shortened week ending today, Dec. 31, signifying they had at least two Rapid Responses within a 14-day period:
- BELEN
- Gil Sanchez Elementary
- FRUITLAND
- Ojo Amarillo Elementary
- KIRTLAND
- Judy Nelson Elementary
- RIO RANCHO
- Cleveland High
- ROSWELL
- Berrendo Elementary
- Goddard High School
- Military Heights Elementary
- SHIPROCK
- Eva B. Stokely Elementary
- Shiprock Transportation
- WAGON MOUND
- Wagon Mound High
During
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Education State Public Safety Politics Environment Healthcare
On The Job In Mora: Classic Air Medical Flight Crew
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Community Public Safety Healthcare
New Mexico COVID-19 Update: 1,316 New Cases, Total Now 141,186 With 33 New Deaths And 64,218 Patients Recovered
SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials announced this afternoon 1,316 additional positive tests for COVID-19.
Los Alamos County reports 2 more cases today … the total is now 273 people who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Today’s update includes 33 new deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19.
The New Mexico Department of Health reports today the most recent cases:
- 335 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 75 new cases in Chaves County
- 6 new cases in Cibola County
- 2 new cases in Colfax County
- 30 new cases in Curry County
- 155 new cases in Doña Ana County
- 45 new cases in Eddy County
- 24 new cases
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New Mexico Department Of Health County Map Update: 32 Counties Operating At Red Level Beginning Dec. 30
DOH News:
- Los Alamos County has lowest positivity rate in state, with 5.22 percent of tests returning positive
- Los Alamos, Catron, Harding and Quay counties nearing Green Level
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) announced today the updated statewide COVID-19 map for the two-week period beginning Dec. 30, with 32 counties at the Red Level.
Twenty-eight counties improved in at least one of the two health gating criteria metrics, and 21 counties improved in both health metrics.
More counties are in close range of advancing to a less-restrictive level than at any point since the
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HSD: $7 Million In Emergency Financial Relief Funds Being Distributed To New Mexico Low Income Households
STATE News:
SANTA FE — More than 15,000 low-income New Mexico households began receiving a one-time payment this week of $465 in emergency financial assistance.
The funds are provided under a program administered by the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) in partnership with the state Taxation & Revenue Department.
The program was made possible through a $5 million appropriation of federal CARES Act money approved in House Bill 1 during the December special session of the New Mexico Legislature.
An additional $2 million also was made available from
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State Nation Public Safety Politics Healthcare
New Mexico Providing $5.3M In Energy Assistance Directly To Utility Vendors For Qualifying Low Income Households
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Human Services Department received $5.3 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
A one-time $300 payment will be provided to utility vendors for households that received a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payment and are at least one month behind in their utility payments.
LIHEAP is a program that assists approximately 70,000 New Mexico households with their home heating and cooling costs.
Eligible households will automatically be identified through a partnership between the department
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Community State Public Safety Politics Healthcare
Environment Department COVID-19 Watchlist: Dec. 29
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has updated its daily Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist, which includes New Mexico places of employment that have had two or more rapid responses in the last 14 days.
There are currently 72 establishments on the Watchlist.
The Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist and closure list, which includes all establishments that have been required to close, are posted here.
The state initiates a rapid response when it learns of a positive COVID-19 case in a workplace. The state agency initiating the rapid response will offer direction to establishments
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Wind: 11mph SW
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