Coachella Valley coronavirus update | News and info for Wednesday, 3/18

By
Casey Dolan
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Cactus Hugs has been tracking local stories about the coronavirus.  Some links might be behind that other website’s paywall…nothing we can do about that, sorry.  For a rundown of all of our updates, click here.

  • California schools will likely not reopen this school year, Governor Newsom announced on Tuesday.
  • The family of the first local victim of coronavirus, a 73-year-old  who acquired the virus while battling leukemia and spent time at a Rancho Mirage nursing home, spoke with the The Desert Sun and KMIR.  The daughter of the woman told the TV station that she did not want to be identified, as she says that people are harassing her and her family online.
  • Palm Springs has released details about business that can remain open and allowed activities as residents are ordered to shelter-in-place:

  • Downtown Palm Springs was “remarkably empty” on Tuesday night, according to KESQ.
  • La Quinta issued a state of emergency on Tuesday night.  The city did not ask for any businesses to close, including bars and restaurants. “It’s still about self-responsibility and being smart and making good decisions,” Mayor Linda Evans told the Desert Sun.
  • Riverside County has delayed criminal jury trials for two weeks. Civil matters have been delayed even longer.
  • Donald Trump announced that the border with Canada will be closed to non-essential traffic. He didn’t offer any specifics, but USA Today has more information on who would be affected and how it is expected to work.

  • Many stores are changing hours and plenty are adding a special hours reserved  for elderly and disabled shoppers.
  • A Los Angeles taco shop is selling emergency taco kits that come with 30 eggs and four rolls of toilet paper, it’s very popular.
  • The closure of Disneyland could be costing the SoCal economy as much as $23 million a day.
  • Here’s a guide to take-out, curbside, and delivery specials being offered by Coachella Valley restaurants.

Important information:

      • The New York Times has an interactive map where you can track every coronavirus case in the United States.
      • The Washington Post is out with a guide to what you should know about the coronavirus.
      • Schools are closed, but free student meals are available.  Here is the information on meal programs during this time for each Coachella Valley school district.
      • The United Way of the Desert has assembled a nice list of information and resources available during the coronavirus here.
      • Here’s a guide to take-out, curbside, and delivery specials being offered by local restaurants.

These are scary and anxious times.  Be safe and kind to each other out there and, please, remember to wash your hands.

Anything we missed? Let us know about it.

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