This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with Drs. Sanjeev Arora and Leslie Hayes about telehealth and how rural medical centers and hospitals are handling cases of the novel coronavirus.

Senior producer Matt Grubs talks to U.S. Sen. Tom Udall about the COVID-19 pandemic as the Senate passes its latest attempt to provide a safety net for the U.S. economy and healthcare system. 

Correspondent Laura Paskus continues with the third in her series of interviews with journalists around the state as they cover COVID-19 in their communities. Staci Matlock, managing editor of the Taos News, discusses the progress and results of the outbreak in Northern New Mexico.

Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss how rural hospitals are struggling to keep their doors open while they brace for a surge in COVID-19 patients, and what’s ahead for health care in less populated parts New Mexico. The Line also looks whether the state has enough resources to expand novel coronavirus testing for every citizen, and what it might need to reopen the economy.

New Mexico in Focus is involved, informed, in-depth media airing weekly on New Mexico PBS. The program debuts Friday nights at 7 p.m. on NMPBS 5.1(KNME-HD) and appears online shortly thereafter. The show rebroadcasts on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME-HD) Sundays at 7 a.m. and on NMPBS 9.1 (WORLD) on Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.    

Host    
Gene Grant    
  

In Focus Interviews 

Rural Hospitals and Telehealth
Correspondent
Megan Kamerick 

Guests
Dr. Sanjeev Arora, founder, Project Echo at UNM

Dr. Leslie Hayes, family practitioner, El Centro Health in Española

Sen. Tom Udall on U.S. Economy and Healthcare
Correspondent
Matt Grubs

Guest
U.S. Senator Tom Udall
 

COVID-19 in Northern New Mexico
Correspondent

Laura Paskus 

Guest
Staci Matlock, managing editor, Taos News

The Line Opinion Panel
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR

Sophie Martin, attorney 

H. Diane Snyder, former state senator

New Mexico in Focus is the New Mexico PBS prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people that are shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest.

NMiF takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic health, education, and art issues, and explores them in-depth with a critical eye to give them context beyond the “news of the moment.”

The producer of New Mexico in Focus is Matt Grubs, with Kathy Wimmer, associate producer. The NM PBS Public Affairs executive producer is Kevin McDonald.

Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided by the McCune Charitable Foundation and viewers like you.

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