‍Stay Active – Exercise!
‍Be outdoors, with appropriate social distance – walk, run, hike, etc.  If stuck indoors, try a body weight workout (no gear required).
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‍Get Information Only From Reliable Sources We recommend the NM DOH or U.S. CDC .
‍Please limit exposure to cable news outlets, like CNN, Fox News, etc.  The NY Times is a reliable/trustworthy source; the ABQ Journal is not. Check here for NM specific updates: 1-855-600-3453.

‍Learn Something New
‍If you’re a student, keep the learning going!  If not, take this opportunity to learn a new skill, craft, etc.

‍Modulate Your Stress, Worry, and Anxiety
‍See American Psychological Association COVID-19 page here. Focus on controlling what you can – your social distance, your attitude, etc. Do not exert effort trying to control others’ behavior, making predictions about what will happen, how much T.P. you have on hand, etc.

How do I survive a month-long isolation at home?
‍By carefully organizing your day. By refusing to succumb to despair and warding off boredom. By keeping busy and dividing the day into distinct activities: reading, writing, cooking, exercising, listening to music, taking care of the garden pots and communicating by telephone with others.

‍Looking inward may help you gain perspective on how completely the world around you is changing. Continue to, or start keeping a daily journal.

‍Human adaptability is both a strength and a threat. As we adapt to a narrowing of our lives, there are those who are watching and marking how far they can squeeze, making permanent what was supposed to be temporary after the crisis passes.  Push back on these people and their behavior in any way you safely can. 

COVID-19 Stuff
Prevention 
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. There are simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including: 
○ Stay home, if possible
○ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
○ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
○ Stay up to date on vaccinations, including the influenza vaccine.
○ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
○ Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available,

If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:
○ Stay home except to get medical care
○ Call ahead before visiting your doctor
○ Cover your coughs and sneezes
○ Avoid sharing personal household items
○ Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
○ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

‍Symptoms
Coronavirus is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

‍Facemasks
Medical facilities across the country are facing shortages of personal protective equipment, including facemasks. Please do not contribute to this shortage. The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including coronavirus. Facemasks should only be used by people who show symptoms of coronavirus to help prevent the spread of disease to others if that person must go in public. Again, please do not stockpile facemasks, medical centers require these masks to remain operational.

‍Testing
Thanks to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, testing for the coronavirus is free for everyone, no matter their insurance status. Our state, and our country as a whole, remains behind on testing capabilities, so please only go to one of the mobile testing stations if you are exhibiting symptoms of the coronavirus.

‍Travel Warnings
On March 19th, the State Department warned all Americans to avoid traveling abroad and rose its travel advisory to the highest level for the entire world. Americans abroad should return to the United States or be prepared to remain where they are for an indefinite period of time. I will remain in touch with the State Department to help New Mexicans abroad as best as we are able to at this time.

‍Fighting Discrimination 
Discrimination has no place in our community. This virus does not recognize race, ethnicity, or class and is not more likely to be harbored in Asian-American owned businesses. We are in this together and it is times like this when we must remember that our diversity is our strength.

‍Congressional Action
Successfully fighting coronavirus will require massive federal investment and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

○ Congress passed billions of emergency funds to help the federal government's response to this outbreak in early March as the crisis began to unfold. The president signed our bill and more than $6 million has been released to the State of New Mexico.
○ We then passed and the President signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to help ensure free testing for all who need it, expanded unemployment benefits, paid sick and family leave for workers who need to stay home sick or with their child whose school shut down, and strengthened benefits, including SNAP.

The House of Representatives now turns to our next bill as we face skyrocketing unemployment and workers who do not know when their next paycheck is coming or how they will pay their rent. Please rest assured that I have heard from the entertainment industry and gig workers to our healthcare workers and other service industry workers. I am working for every single one of you and will make you heard on this bill and the next ones.

‍Further Information 
Experts have been working hard to understand this new strain of coronavirus. Because new information is coming out every day, please visit the sites below to stay up to date.
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○ The Centers for Disease Control provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals.