# Gallup, New Mexico is on lockdown

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014>\
**Category:** The Quarantine Zone\
**Tags:** covid-quarantine\
**Created:** [May 2, 2020, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014 "2020-05-02T05:44:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/1 "2020-05-02T05:44:28Z")

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The Navajo Nation has a very high per capita rate of known COVID, and authorities have decided to restrict travel in and out of this city.

> **[Roads closed into New Mexico city to mitigate 'uninhibited spread of Covid-19'...](https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/01/us/new-mexico-town-lockdown-coronavirus-trnd/index.html)**
>
> The governor of New Mexico declared a state of emergency Friday for the city of Gallup to "mitigate the uninhibited spread of Covid-19."

Here’s a condensed verion.

> **[Gallup on lockdown, State's Riot Control Act invoked](https://www.koat.com/article/gallup-on-lockdown-states-riot-control-act-invoked/32349682)**
>
> Local leaders say they're desperate to stop COVID-19 spread

You can still drive through Gallup on I-40, but people are not allowed to enter the city proper unless they live there, or have a demonstrated emergency.

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**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/2 "2020-05-02T11:34:43Z")

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That should stop the spread of the disease to Flagstaff (and let’s not forget Winona).

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**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/3 "2020-05-02T18:32:56Z")

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Gallup and Flagstaff are not next door to each other.

Unless something moved since I’ve been in SCal.  
~VOW

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**Author:** ![snowmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@snowmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowmaster)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/4 "2020-05-02T19:26:43Z")

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Lookout, Kingman, Bairstow, and San Bernardino!

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**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/5 "2020-05-02T20:04:30Z")

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Bairstow?

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**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/6 "2020-05-02T20:09:16Z")

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I picked the wrong day to shop for pottery, weavings, and old pawn jewelry. :smack:

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**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/7 "2020-05-02T20:22:01Z")

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> [@VOW](#):
>
> Gallup and Flagstaff are not next door to each other.
> 
> Unless something moved since I’ve been in SCal.

He was just trying to get some kicks.

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**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/8 "2020-05-02T20:42:24Z")

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The highway, it’s the best.

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**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/9 "2020-05-02T21:06:05Z")

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> [@Monty](#):
>
> Bairstow?

Known far and wide as Barstool. For kicks, park your RV overnight by the railyards and listen to the music of transport. Whistles, clanks, squeals, crunches, a real _Symphonie Mechanique_ under the stars. Hmm, I wonder if Bun-Boy does takeout? Oh, Bun-Boy!

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**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/10 "2020-05-02T21:41:54Z")

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I wonder how many of Route 66’s classic spots will make it through this and survive. Or any of the many roadside tourist attractions across the US, for that matter.

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**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/11 "2020-05-02T22:28:22Z")

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> [@RioRico](#):
>
> Known far and wide as Barstool. For kicks, park your RV overnight by the railyards and listen to the music of transport. Whistles, clanks, squeals, crunches, a real _Symphonie Mechanique_ under the stars. Hmm, I wonder if Bun-Boy does takeout? Oh, Bun-Boy!

I think he was pointing out the spelling error. It’s Barstow.

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**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/12 "2020-05-02T23:23:17Z")

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> [@RioRico](#):
>
> Known far and wide as Barstool. For kicks, park your RV overnight by the railyards and listen to the music of transport. Whistles, clanks, squeals, crunches, a real _Symphonie Mechanique_ under the stars. Hmm, I wonder if Bun-Boy does takeout? Oh, Bun-Boy!

Home of the McDonald’s with a gift shop.

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**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2020, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/13 "2020-05-02T23:41:07Z")

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> [@snowmaster](#):
>
> Lookout, Kingman, Bairstow, and San Bernardino!

Or take the off-ramp onto CA-58 westbound to 99 north. Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Stockton, Sacratomato all lined up like dominoes in that direction.

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**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2020, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/14 "2020-05-03T05:17:24Z")

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I thought Bun Boy was in Baker?  
~VOW

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**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2020, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/15 "2020-05-03T05:40:57Z")

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> [@VOW](#):
>
> I thought Bun Boy was in Baker?

We definitely dined at Bun Boy across from the Barstow rail yards. I’ve not been to Baker for awhile; I recall a giant thermometer and a multiple-jerky vendor. [pause] A little searching reveals bad news: Bun Boy in both Barstow and Baker are gone. I weep.

Back to Gallup. We last drove through just two years ago, stopped to shop for Native American arts and crafts as usual, ate tacos somewhere funky, and proceeded. I wonder how many pawnshops will survive the closures?

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**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2020, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/16 "2020-05-03T06:29:37Z")

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> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#):
>
> That should stop the spread of the disease to Flagstaff (and let’s not forget Winona).

Or the people who stand on corners in Winslow. 😃

I did clinicals in the Gallup region so I’m familiar with the geography; they did have 2 hospitals, a community hospital and another that was run by the Indian Health Service, and neither were very big or very sophisticated. Critically ill people were usually sent to either Phoenix or Albuquerque.

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**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2020, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/17 "2020-05-03T08:03:28Z")

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> [@RioRico](#):
>
> > [@Monty](#):
> >
> > Bairstow?
> 
> Known far and wide as Barstool.

> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#):
>
> I think he was pointing out the spelling error. It’s Barstow.

Yep. It’s Barstow, not Bairstow.

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**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/18 "2020-05-03T16:25:55Z")

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> [@RioRico](#):
>
> We definitely dined at Bun Boy across from the Barstow rail yards. I’ve not been to Baker for awhile; I recall a giant thermometer and a multiple-jerky vendor. [pause] A little searching reveals bad news: Bun Boy in both Barstow and Baker are gone. I weep.
> 
> Back to Gallup. We last drove through just two years ago, stopped to shop for Native American arts and crafts as usual, ate tacos somewhere funky, and proceeded. I wonder how many pawnshops will survive the closures?

The big thermometer has been busted for years. And even when it did “work,” it wasn’t accurate. It showed a temp much higher than a standard thermometer.  
~VOW

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**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/19 "2020-05-03T16:50:37Z")

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Baker–gateway to the East Mojave National Scenic Area! We always used to have a “guess what the temp is” contest as we approached Baker…ah, the good old days. I was there last May, it’s just a gift shop now (but don’t miss the eggs frying in a skillet out front!). The Mad Greek Cafe across the street makes a tasty date shake, and it’s always fun to check out all the kitsch at the Alien Fresh Jerky store.

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**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-new-mexico-is-on-lockdown/853014/20 "2020-05-04T05:18:15Z")

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My first recollection of Baker California dates from 1966 when I rolled through on a moped and unrolled my sleeping bag under a table in the minuscule town park. I didn’t make it to Gallup that time, only weaving around till I hit Flagstaff, which has not improved much since then. I think a waffle shop on the main drag is using the same batter. :eek:

As for Winslow Arizona - the song’s event actually occurred in Flagstaff but that didn’t sound right. I sing it as Bisbee Arizona, a much more likely setting. Most residents land there by chance. It’s like my executive SIL attending a meeting at Ross Perot’s family ranch out in the middle of Fuckall Texas. She viewed the desolation and asked, “Ross, why did your family settle here?” He looked her in the eye and drawled, “Mule died.”

Back to Gallup, NM. We’d like to return. A Martians say, waiting is…

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