--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the…" description: "\"The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dire reality that too many New Mexicans are one emergency away from financial catastrophe.\" — Ben Ray Lujan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/ben-ray-lujan-5905_emergency_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-th_3079483.jpg" --- # The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dire reality… ![“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dire reality that too many New Mexicans are one emergency away from financial catastrophe.” quote by Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/ben-ray-lujan-5905_emergency_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-th_3079483.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/ben-ray-lujan-5905_emergency_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-th_3079483.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/ben-ray-lujan-5905_emergency_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-th_3079483.jpg) > “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dire reality that too many New Mexicans are one emergency away from financial catastrophe.” [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The pandemic exposed how many New Mexicans live paycheck to paycheck, risking financial ruin from a single emergency. **In simple terms:** Many live on the brink of financial disaster. Key Takeaway Support policies that build emergency savings. Themes economics public policy financial insecurity Mood concerned urgent determined Type policy advocacy analytical When to use this quote - community meetings - legislative hearings - budget planning Key Concepts social safety nets income volatility health crises Questions to Reflect On - How can we create lasting financial resilience? - What safety nets are most effective? A Different Perspective Solutions require more than short‑term aid; systemic change needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Emergency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emergency/) [Pandemic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pandemic/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) ## Related quotes > [The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the immense, underlying inequities in our nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-padilla/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-the-immense-underlying/) [Alex Padilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-padilla/) > [Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our teams at the Emergency Operation Center and Joint Information Center have worked around the clock to ensure a consistent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sununu/throughout-the-covid-19-pandemic-our-teams-at-the-emergency-operation/) [Chris Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sununu/) > [Prior to COVID-19, New Mexico's students already faced a digital divide, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated existing disparities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/prior-to-covid-19-new-mexico-s-students-already-faced-a-digital/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every community in New Mexico, and our local leaders have been instrumental in helping New Mexicans get through this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-touched-every-community-in-new-mexico-and/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The Paycheck Protection Program has been an important lifeline for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic - and it's help kept the doors open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-paycheck-protection-program-has-been-an-important-lifeline-for/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [For New Mexico's higher ed institutions and health care providers, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that Internet technology is essential to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/for-new-mexico-s-higher-ed-institutions-and-health-care-providers-the/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that broadband access is essential - for learning, working, and staying safe and informed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-made-it-abundantly-clear-that-broadband/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I will continue fighting for New Mexicans for as long as they allow me to serve as their voice in the U.S. Senate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-will-continue-fighting-for-new-mexicans-for-as-long-as-they-allow/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I have always been taught to lead with my New Mexico values and help my fellow New Mexicans. That's why I'm proud to spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-have-always-been-taught-to-lead-with-my-new-mexico-values-and-help/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexicans shouldn't have to choose between lifesaving medications and putting food on the table - a struggle that too many are facing each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexicans-shouldn-t-have-to-choose-between-lifesaving-medications/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I follow in the footsteps of giants like Tom Udall, Pete Domenici, Jeff Bingaman, and Dennis Chavez. Their example will serve as my north…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-follow-in-the-footsteps-of-giants-like-tom-udall-pete-domenici-jeff/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I will always listen to my fellow New Mexicans and look forward to learning from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-will-always-listen-to-my-fellow-new-mexicans-and-look-forward-to/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [All New Mexicans need fair wages, high-quality health care, and a government that looks out for them - not just big corporations with Washington…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/all-new-mexicans-need-fair-wages-high-quality-health-care-and-a/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [We have to do everything we can to put an end to hate and help our neighbors, especially as we work together to defeat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/we-have-to-do-everything-we-can-to-put-an-end-to-hate-and-help-our/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed critical vulnerabilities in our pharmaceutical supply chain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-spanberger/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-exposed-critical-vulnerabilities-in-our/) [Abigail Spanberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-spanberger/) ## More by Ben Ray Lujan > [I have always been taught to lead with my New Mexico values and help my fellow New Mexicans. That's why I'm proud to spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-have-always-been-taught-to-lead-with-my-new-mexico-values-and-help/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Voters went to the polls in record numbers in 2020 to make their voices heard, and it's crucial that Congress takes action to protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/voters-went-to-the-polls-in-record-numbers-in-2020-to-make-their/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I will always listen to my fellow New Mexicans and look forward to learning from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-will-always-listen-to-my-fellow-new-mexicans-and-look-forward-to/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [While progress has been made, there is still more work to do to root out systemic racism and inequity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/while-progress-has-been-made-there-is-still-more-work-to-do-to-root/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [As a former mayor and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Fudge brings a wealth of experience to the Biden administration. She will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/as-a-former-mayor-and-chair-of-the-congressional-black-caucus/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Few diplomats have the expertise of Antony Blinken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/few-diplomats-have-the-expertise-of-antony-blinken/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The Paycheck Protection Program has been an important lifeline for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic - and it's help kept the doors open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-paycheck-protection-program-has-been-an-important-lifeline-for/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Growing up as a Head Start kid, I never expected to run for Senate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/growing-up-as-a-head-start-kid-i-never-expected-to-run-for-senate/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [As Navajo Nation President, Albert Hale worked to provide a greater voice for Chapters in Tribal government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/as-navajo-nation-president-albert-hale-worked-to-provide-a-greater/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Our nation's veterans and their families deserve a VA that will provide the best care and benefits that they have rightly earned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/our-nation-s-veterans-and-their-families-deserve-a-va-that-will/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico is no stranger to strong women trailblazers such as Esther Martinez, who fought to preserve indigenous languages, Georgia O'Keefe, who skillfully captured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-is-no-stranger-to-strong-women-trailblazers-such-as-esther/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The expansion of commercial space exploration holds huge promise and benefits for our country. It will help support government-backed research and programs, provide a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-expansion-of-commercial-space-exploration-holds-huge-promise-and/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The Department of Energy and our National Labs play a central role in addressing the world's most pressing challenges, including the climate crisis and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-department-of-energy-and-our-national-labs-play-a-central-role-in/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I'm confident that Congresswoman Haaland, a fellow New Mexican, will lead the Interior Department with honor and integrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-m-confident-that-congresswoman-haaland-a-fellow-new-mexican-will/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I've always made it a priority to stand up for our land, water, and wildlife corridors, and in the Senate, I'll continue fighting for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-ve-always-made-it-a-priority-to-stand-up-for-our-land-water-and/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) [Explore all 100 Ben Ray Lujan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) ## More Emergency quotes > [Give me an impromptu 50-person guest list, a fold-out emergency trestle table and a pack of frozen vol-au-vent cases and, darlings, I will give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-dent/give-me-an-impromptu-50-person-guest-list-a-fold-out-emergency/) [Grace Dent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-dent/) > [“HH14 - Emergency Meals”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-wilson/hh14-emergency-meals/) [Benjamin Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-wilson/) > [In case of emergency , Break Dance!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/in-case-of-emergency-break-dance/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [It is critical that firefighters and emergency responders have the proper equipment, training and staffing to do their jobs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-lamb/it-is-critical-that-firefighters-and-emergency-responders-have-the/) [Conor Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-lamb/) > [I started out wanting to be a fireman and would cry if my mother tried to take off my 'Emergency 51' hat, so she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-henry/i-started-out-wanting-to-be-a-fireman-and-would-cry-if-my-mother/) [Ed Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-henry/) > [Carry always your earplugs with you in case of emergency, like meeting with a politician!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/carry-always-your-earplugs-with-you-in-case-of-emergency-like-meeting/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Quite simply, when D.C. Metro riders - often the first to see a problem developing - try to notify first responders, they frequently are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-rielly/quite-simply-when-d-c-metro-riders-often-the-first-to-see-a-problem/) [Michael O'Rielly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-rielly/) > [Where Democrats have a real toehold to criticize Republicans is that families still feel very financially fragile. About 2 in 5 adults would struggle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-lowrey/where-democrats-have-a-real-toehold-to-criticize-republicans-is-that/) [Annie Lowrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-lowrey/) > [You don't get time to meet your peers such as Dharmendra and Hema Malini very often. Award functions or other events are the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amitabh-bachchan/you-don-t-get-time-to-meet-your-peers-such-as-dharmendra-and-hema/) [Amitabh Bachchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amitabh-bachchan/) > [“This is a 911?” Adam said as he walked up. “You know you only text that when someone is dead or dying. You scared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/this-is-a-911-adam-said-as-he-walked-up-you-know-you-only-text-that/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [We produce motor drive electronics; we produce cargo systems for large narrow-body and wide-body airplanes and, more importantly, the emergency escape chute that goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-r-chenevert/we-produce-motor-drive-electronics-we-produce-cargo-systems-for-large/) [Louis R. Chenevert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-r-chenevert/) > [“We’re in a state of emergency Because we’re lighting fires All the way home”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-re-in-a-state-of-emergency-because-we-re-lighting-fires-all-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Safe care saves lives and saves money. Adverse events like high levels of infection, blood clots or falls in hospital, emergency readmissions and pressure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lansley/safe-care-saves-lives-and-saves-money-adverse-events-like-high-levels/) [Andrew Lansley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lansley/) > [For about 175,000 people, Chiranjeevi Blood Bank has supplied blood for free in times of emergency. This is because of the service-oriented attitude of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-charan/for-about-175-000-people-chiranjeevi-blood-bank-has-supplied-blood/) [Ram Charan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-charan/) > [“Why do I take a blade and slash my arms? Why do I drink myself into a stupor? Why do I swallow bottles of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-jamieson/why-do-i-take-a-blade-and-slash-my-arms-why-do-i-drink-myself-into-a/) [Alice Jamieson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-jamieson/) [Browse all 305 Emergency quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emergency/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dire reality that too many New Mexicans are one emergency away from financial catastrophe.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ben Ray Lujan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-the-dire-reality-that-too-many/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Emergency" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-the-dire-reality-that-too-many/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/ben-ray-lujan-5905_emergency_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-th_3079483.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/ben-ray-lujan-5905_emergency_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-th_3079483.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b26/ben-ray-lujan-5905_emergency_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-th_3079483.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dire reality that too many New Mexicans are one emergency away…” — Ben Ray Lujan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ben Ray Lujan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-the-dire-reality-that-too-many/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-the-dire-reality-that-too-many/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```