Dale Janway

Mayor, City of Carlsbad

We were informed by the Governor’s office late Wednesday afternoon that two new positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Eddy County. As we have stated before, Carlsbad Medical Center, Artesia General Hospital and our two N.M. Health Clinics have all been conducting testing, and we have reached out for additional information. Please continue to stay at home whenever possible.

In our conference call to the White House this week, we heard from President Trump himself.

Addressing thousands of mayors across the country, the President said our country is in a crucial phase in this war, thanks to the devotion of so many great people. The President mentioned that 125,000 coronavirus tests are being conducted each day in the United States, more than any other nation.

“You know how to win better than anybody,” he concluded. “And we’re going to win this war.”

The conference also included important updates about the CARES Act and other efforts to support Americans right now.

We were informed that the first phase of stimulus checks will be sent out next week. The federal government has also worked out a system to provide stimulus checks to seniors on Social Security who did not file for tax returns. A website is being set up so people can track their check.

The Paycheck Protection Program has also been a tremendous success, so much that the President has asked Congress to increase support for the fund. This program authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis.

We were also relieved to hear that the CARES Act has included a significant allocation for mental health, including suicide prevention. It is extremely important that mental health issues are addressed throughout this crisis. Health care providers have also been provided with an opportunity for reimbursement. Please let us know if you are having trouble getting information about some of the assistance programs right now and we’ll be happy to help you.

Easter is just a few days away, and we have never before needed a time to celebrate our faith than right now. Christians around the world will be celebrating the Rebirth and our hope for the future. It won’t be the same celebration that we’re used to or that we’d hoped for, but the true meaning of Easter hasn’t changed one bit.

So many of our churches have done a remarkable job adapting throughout this crisis. Many are conducting Livestream services to reach members of their congregation, while others have developed “drive-in” procedures where everyone stays in their car. We appreciate the efforts of our churches to spread their message in a way that is safe for all of their members and encourage this practice to continue through Easter and beyond.

While large-scale Easter egg hunts in public areas will have to be postponed until we get through this, you and family members may certainly leave the house to take a walk in the park or down the street. We’re just supposed to keep distant from other groups. Please have a very happy Easter and keep praying for our first responders, health care professionals and other people on the front lines, as well as for all of our state and national leaders.

Dale Janway

Mayor, City of Carlsbad