This week on New Mexico in Focus correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with researchers at The University of New Mexico who are among hundreds of scientists around the world working to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus that has led to the death of more than 57,000 in the United States alone. 

Senior producer Matt Grubs talks to executives from hospitals in Las Cruces and Portales. Both Mountain View Regional Medical Center and Roosevelt General Hospital are still waiting for a surge of COVID-19 cases, while acknowledging that stay-at-home orders have flattened disease curves. But the coronavirus has changed how both facilities prepare for pandemics going forward. 

Correspondent Laura Paskus continues with the fourth in her series of interviews with journalists around the state as they cover COVID-19 in their communities. Adrian Hedden, a journalist with the Carlsbad Current-Argus, discusses the consequences of the outbreak in the Carlsbad area. 

Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss COVID-19 updates, including Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s plan to extend restrictions through May 15. Although her approval rating in a recent poll is at 62 percent, not everyone views her policies favorably. This includes Mayor Martin Hicks of Grants, who has encouraged others to follow him in defying the governor’s shut-down orders. The Line also looks at school, city, and state budgets that are in trouble as a result of the pandemic.

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      

Searching for a vaccine

Correspondent
Megan Kamerick

Guests
Steven Bradfute, assistant professor, UNM Center for Global Health and Internal Medicine
Bryce Chackerian, professor and vice chair, UNM Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
David Peabody, professor, UNM Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology

How COVID-19 Changed the Game for Hospitals

Correspondent
Matt Grubs

Guests
Derrick Cuenca, CEO, Mountain View Regional Medical Center
Kaye Green, CEO, Roosevelt General Hospital

COVID-19 in Southeastern New Mexico

Correspondent
Laura Paskus

Guest
Adrian Hedden, reporter, Carlsbad Current-Argus

The Line Opinion Panel
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima
Andy Lyman, reporter, New Mexico Political Report
Laura E. Sanchez, attorney

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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