Taos has been handling the COVID-19 pandemic in some interesting ways. Most are following precautions, social distancing, face masks. The most non-essential business started shunting down around the 20th, Most as of now are closed. Essential businesses like Walmart and Ace are operating under shorter hours. Ace as an example has plastic covering the cashiers and they are able to slide their hands out to scan items if need be. The employees of both stores are wearing masks as well as gloves. Some stores only allow 5-10 people at a time. All stores at this point have the There has been some panic lately with Taos being placed on curfew a few days ago. Lines in stores are longer, most stores are out of toilet paper milk, and other items you might think of being out in larger towns. The schools are of course closed and most likely will be until the next school year, the popular ski mountain is closed as well, and besides the post office, all government local or otherwise is closed. Most people out here are still friendly, while a few won't even look others in the eyes. If it is just panic or a real concern, due to low immunity or other reasons I may not grasp from my position. Some in town have a strong opinion, that only locals should be here, and that we should block off the mountain roads and put up barricades on the highways. One person is using Local Native Americans as an example of how the town should respond. The Native Americans live on the Pueblo and have sealed access to nonmembers of the tribe, As from my understanding most Native American Tribes have done as well. This is mostly due to tourism around the tribe's native lands, but also because they are their own governing body, they are taking the time to comply with the local laws, and regardless of the reasons. Many people in town often forget that at the end of the day The tribe handles their business and staying out of their business is one of the few things they at least deserve and all of us for that matter, but I digress. The pandemic has hurt the homeless population as well, most people in big cities avoid the homeless population. Here many people offer those on the streets rides or food, but this seems to have come to a stop. Those who have no home in Taos, also don't have access to a shelter or even a way to another city. Many right now spread out among the few grocery stores, hoping for a helping hand. With many businesses shut down, I have seen a few residents join them, from the lack of income. I imagine the numbers will grow as the shelter-in-place order continues. The stimulus Check may help a few and be a boon to those who just weren't quite ready for this, but many of the locals live off-grid, doing odd jobs to earn their wages, will not be receiving these benefits. All in all the town is working with one another and surviving. As far as the stats go. New Mexico has 363 confirmed cases, 11 deaths. Taos county which encompasses the city of Taos and surrounding areas has 13 confirmed cases at the time of writing this. With the most recent update from the county being 3/27. I'll post updates as things progress along with my other content.
