Photo Gallery: Essential workers of Taos

Aceq delivery driver Lee Archuleta is a fifth generation Taoseño who has been delivering food to customers' homes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. While coronavirus shut down most of the U.S. economy, local restaurant employees like Archuleta remained on the job, risking their health, to provide essential services. "At first it was kind of scary because we didn't really have too much information about [the virus,]" said Archuleta, who has been working at Aceq for five years. "But as we learn more about it and how to protect ourselves, it's been more reassuring. ... I'm just trying to do my part so I keep myself and everyone safe."

Butcher and supermarket employee Felix Padilla is a third-generation Taoseño and owner of Padilla's Meat Cutting in Arroyo Hondo. He said the hardest part of going to work in town is not the risk of unpacking and cutting meat from plants beyond the New Mexico border or coming in contact with the COVID-19 virus in the aisles of the supermarket - it is the contact with his community that has been lost.

Activities Director Tracy Ivy poses for a portrait Wednesday (June 10) at Taos Living Center. The elderly have been one of the most impacted groups throughout the pandemic, and many residents at Taos Living Center haven't seen their families in months. When Ivy was no longer able to organize outings, gatherings or parties for residents, she had to get creative to find ways to lift spirits inside Taos Living Center. Among the plethora of innovative activities she devised was a drive-by Mother's Day parade on Sunday (May 10) outside the facility. "My coworkers and the residents here are like my family," Ivy said. "I'm really proud of them for being able to look forward to the next day and know it'll be over soon. I don't think people realize until now how important activities are."

Clockwise from left: EMT and Medic Fernando Montoya, EMT Basic Zach Lang, Advanced EMT Juan Gonzales, EMS field supervisor and paramedic MaryAnn Ferguson and Advanced Agustin Rael pose for a portrait Tuesday (June 9.) As many remain at home during the pandemic, first responders and medics showed up for work each day on the front lines, answering house calls and community emergencies.

Environmental Services employee Patricia ‘Patsy’ Varos poses for a portrait Friday (June 5) at Holy Cross Hospital. Statement from hospital: "Patsy has gone above and beyond to clean countless surfaces in and around the hospital during this COVID-19 pandemic. As one of our housekeepers she is thorough, quick and takes pride in her work. Especially during these COVID times it is nice to know that she comes through and steps up to do a great job in keeping everyone safe."

Holy Cross Hospital Emergency Department Staff pose for a portrait Friday (June 5) at Holy Cross Hospital.

Sol Food Market owner and manager Anna Woodall said customer confrontations are common, as is the challenge of asking her employees to come into work every day and risk exposure.

Erin Plaster poses for a portrait Thursday (June 11) at Cid's Food Market.

Dr. John Foster poses for a portrait Friday (June 5) at Holy Cross Hospital. Statement from hospital: "As part of two main departments that needed to completely rearrange their operations, Dr. Foster embraced the incredible challenge and led the inpatient service to a heightened state of readiness and preparedness akin to bigger city tertiary hospital. His forethought and pro-activeness kept the nursing and hospitalist staff feeling ready, willing, and protected in uncertain times. All of the extra meetings and during period of short-staffed, he continued to pull shifts, including night shifts."

Enos Garcia Nurturing Center Director Siena Sanderson, Enos Garcia Physical Education Teacher Trish Curran and Director of Student Nutrition Monica Martinez are among district staff and volunteers engaged in an ongoing effort to feed thousands of Taos County kids and families during the pandemic. In the month of May, they served 33,606 meals to Taos County students. When school ended on May 29, the team continued gathering and distributing food to the community, averaging 700 bags per week.

Zoe Gallegos poses for a portrait Friday (June 5) at the Taos Dermatology, Breast & Plastic Surgery Clinic. Statement from hospital: "Zoe was one of the first employees to make cloth masks for the organization. She purchased the needed materials, brought her sewing machine from home and set it up in the break room, and began making dozens of masks for the organization. Zoe reconfigured some of the donated masks to meet the standard design. Zoe didn’t stop there. She designated several days to one of the practices, assisting them to box paper charts to be sent to storage. Zoe has also spent time assisting with the needs of the l labor pool. Finally, Zoe was delegated a marketing project to help promote a new physician. She designed the social media content that will be used to promote the new pediatrician. The content will assist families as they look for fun kid recipes, crafts, projects and learning tools designed to promote children’s curiosity about each weekly theme."

Shared Table volunteer Martin Dimas poses for a portrait Wednesday (June 10) at Talpa Community Center after a morning of food distribution. In addition to distribution, Dimas has been instrumental in recruiting more local volunteers to respond to increased need in the pandemic, said Cheri Lyon, Church Pastor and Shared Table Director.

Surgery Department Nurse Manager Shauna Collins poses for a portrait Friday (June 5) at Holy Cross Hospital. Statement from hospital: "Shawna has been a steadfast circulating nurse with the Surgery Department for the last ten years. Taking on a management role right as everything changed in surgery was quite an accomplishment in itself. Shawna was able to quickly adapt to the new needs of the surgery staff. She worked with everyone to change schedules, create a labor pool, help guide a new PPE team all while educating and supporting staff emotionally. She had countless hours researching prototypes for masks and gowns, creating patterns, researching fabrics. Additionally, she made an instructional video on how to sew the surgical gowns, all while fulfilling her new role as a manager."

Rose Jaramillo works in materials management at Holy Cross Hospital. Statement from Holy Cross Hospital: "Rose increased PPE orders during Flu season so when we were put on COVID allocation we continued to receive a significant amount of PPE. Rose was able to get us supplies from vendors when no one else could. She used her connections and experience to find items that were impossible to get. She really worked to keep us all safe."

Shared Table volunteer Sue Daseler poses for a portrait Wednesday (June 10) at El Pueblito United Methodist Church. Now in her 10th year of volunteering, Daseler is one of the longest-serving volunteers at the El Prado food pantry. "In a addition to helping with distribution, Sue also sewed masks for all our volunteers at Shared Table," said Cheri Lyon, Church Pastor and Shared Table Director.

Information Technology Director Burt Ridge poses for a portrait Thursday (June 4) at Holy Cross Hospital. Statement from hospital: "Burt willingly took on the secondary job of Facilities Director and has an amazing ‘can do’ attitude. No matter how much work or seemingly complicated the project, he just got it done. He maintains a positive attitude even when dealing with many diverse personalities. Burt assumed responsibilities for many tasks outside his role as IT Director and used his skills and creative thinking to help solve several difficult problems such as providing increased negative pressure rooms and isolation areas for COVID patients, as well as improving supply of PPE with creative solutions. He was responsible for organizing the setting up of the tents outside the ED, made sure all computer equipment and printers were set up for use for COVID patients and worked with the Town of Taos to get the Annex building ready for use."

Board member Dr. Geilan Ismail poses for a portrait Friday (June 5) at Holy Cross Hospital.

Chief of Staff Dr. Tim Moore poses for a portrait Friday (June 5) at Holy Cross Hospital.