Meanwhile, the Governor briefed the state on the fresh coronavirus outbreak, saying "we are in uncharted waters" and warning increased restrictions could come soon if the virus is not contained. 

While MLG was chastising the public for not following steps to contain the virus, social media was questioning her administration's inability to stop major Covid outbreaks at jails, prisons and homeless facilities.

Human Services Secretary Dr. David Scrase noted during Friday's briefing that he was aware of outbreaks at homeless shelters around the nation in the spring, yet New Mexico is now suffering those same outbreaks which could spread easily to the general population. Ditto for released prisoners. So why no early, effective action to prevent today's outbreaks?

The state government and nursing home industry has been successful in containing the virus since the spring outbreaks that claimed many elderly lives, but there are holes in managing the virus in Santa Fe and ABQ when it comes to jails and prisons (some of which are federal) and homeless facilities. They need to be filled pronto. 

Large swaths of the state's economy continue to be crippled by the virus restrictions. Another round of them would drop more businesses and employees to the canvas. Deaths are fewer during this current outbreak and hospitals, while getting more cases, are not overwhelmed. There is room to pause here before again slamming on the breaks on an already shaky economy and weary population. Meanwhile, it is up to all of us to wear our masks when needed, practice social distancing and wash our hands. 

And you think you have computer problems? Look at this from Dem state senate candidate Siah Correa Hemphill:

Correa Hemphill is running against Republican Jimbo Williams for a SW NM seat and we guess now running away from zoom meetings. 

Wrap up another wacky week in La Politica if you please, reader Jim McClure:

 Joe, as a new resident of Los Lunas I’m enjoying the spaghetti-western campaign for the southern congressional district. Democrat Xochitl Torres-Small is positioning herself as a moderate by toting guns in her campaign commercials like a woke Annie Oakley. Republican Yvette Herrell is shooting guns, too, because she's a Republican. It’s great to see our politicians upholding the New Mexico tradition of Billy the Kid.