How New Mexico Jump Started Aggressive COVID-19 Testing

[comradebillyboy]

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/new-mexico-covid-19-testing#EmbedCommentsWrapper

In much of the country, even those with COVID-19 symptoms are struggling to get tested for the virus. But in New Mexico, an extremely rural and low income state, the governor announced last week that certain residents without symptoms can now get tested.

New Mexico’s expansion of its testing eligibility — which now allows testing for asymptomatic people who are exposed to COVID-19 or who live in group living facilities like nursing homes — is a testament to how quickly the state was able to scale up its testing.

Until last week, only New York, Washington and Louisiana were turning around more tests on a per capita basis than New Mexico, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. A few other states have since caught up, but New Mexico has remained in the top 10 — a remarkable achievement for a state where four-in-10 residents live under 200 percent of the federal poverty line.

A spokesperson for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) told TPM that the decision to expand testing eligibility was driven in part by “growing body of evidence showing benefits of testing asymptomatic people and keeping those confirmed positive patients home”

Note: As a New Mexican it's rare to see any good news coming out of our state. Michelle Lujan-Grisham has done a stellar job IMHO.

[RandySF]

1. They elected Democrats.

[DURHAM D]

2. and a woman nt

[elleng]

3. Takes Democratic governors!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

4. Bravo! A Democrat will truly save lives !

[ALBliberal]

5. So thankful for our smart and proactive Governor!

She’s getting high marks on handling the pandemic even from some a Republicans.

[Desert grandma]

6. She was way out in front of some other states.

I am so proud that we elected her. She worked in the health care industry here in NM and also worked closely with Aging and Long Term Services. Talk about the right person for the job at the right time...Schools have been closed here since the first week in March. Social distancing was implemented then too. Now every non essential business is closed, and even essential businesses like grocery stores are only letting a certain number of people in at a time. She has also arranged for the Army Corp of Engineers to build an extra hospital here in Albuquerque. We have a Democratic Governor, a substantial majority in the state house and senate, all all of our US Congressional reps and Senators are Democrats. So is the mayor here in the largest city. I am grateful that we got rid of that last Republican Governor.

[alittlelark]

7. I went to Alameda greenhouse and passed the testing spot

The International Balloon Fiesta grounds - smart move. Grisham is doing an AMAZING job !!!