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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Before the pandemic, I had begun to hike every Sunday with a group of four friends. Although Covid-19 hit New Mexico hard and early, the state government did not prohibit hiking in small groups, so we were able to continue to hike together. We've hiked many trails, familiar and novel, throughout the year. It has been mentally, physically, and socially stabilizing. We've noticed more people out on the trails as well. Sometimes we see folks out on the trail with their dogs, or children; on horseback; on bicycles; or like us, just walking along. Some people wear masks while hiking and some do not. We are grateful every week to be able to enjoy the natural resources in New Mexico and especially the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, City and County Open Space and other government administrators and workers who have kept the trails open and maintained.
February 22, 2021
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Have people in your community supported one another during the pandemic? Talk about why or why not, and maybe give some examples.
I don't have a lot to say about this, but I live in a small city where people take this seriously, and don't even walk their dogs without wearing a mask. I feel safe because people support the mask ordinance in the city. We also have a vibrant small business community - and so many people have pulled together to support local restaurants and businesses. And the restaurants themselves have been creative in adapting - those who can, of course. Some have not been able to make it work. Many restaurants are feeing those in the community who have been economically undermined by the pandemic, and feeding frontline health workers, as well. There is also a new nonprofit that grew out of a grassroots effort to provide basic needs items to people hit hard during the pandemic. Many organizations came together and centralized a donation center, and every week they post what is needed in the community - they know this because they are working with organization who serve vulnerable populations, refugees and immigrants, homeless, etc. So this new nonprofit has become a hub, to coordinate and align donations. I guess I had a bit to say. I'm grateful I live in a place where, even if we don't know each other directly, there is a feeling of care in the broader community.
February 20, 2021