Welcome to 5 Things to Know – a daily rundown of things you might want to be aware of if you live in, visit, or just like being aware about what’s going on in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. As always, thank you for your continued support of Cactus Hugs.
1) The Election
Election Day is next Tuesday, but a whole lot of people weren’t content to wait around for it. Riverside County confirmed that nearly 450,000 mail-in ballots have been returned as of Thursday – which is just over one-third of the total sent out countywide. The county registrar told the Desert Sun that mail-in ballots will still be counted if they’re received within 17 days of Election Day, but they must be postmarked Nov. 3, but, just to be safe, if you can, you might want to go ahead and drop it off at an official drop off location at this point.
2) The Coronavirus
Riverside County reported 253 new cases and one additional death on Thursday. There have been 1,305 reported deaths from coronavirus this year in Riverside County.
Here is the latest on what’s going on in the desert:
October 29 — #COVID19 in the #CoachellaValley (+/- from day before):
16,013 reported cases (+29)
+382 last 7 days370 deaths (same)
14,820 recoveries (+60)823 known active cases (-31)
+67 last 7 days pic.twitter.com/1PFm03q3ji— Kevin Duncliffe (@kevinduncliffe) October 29, 2020
Wednesday — #COVID19 patients in #CoachellaValley hospitals (+/- from Tuesday):
33 confirmed (-3)
15 suspected (+8)48 TOTAL (+5)
-6 last 7 days10 in ICU (+1) pic.twitter.com/GNLbcIYAA7
— Kevin Duncliffe (@kevinduncliffe) October 29, 2020
More:
- County health officials are discouraging traditional trick or treating this year in favor of celebrating the holiday at home and / or online.
- Dr. Anthony Fauci warned in a TV interview that coronavirus cases are rising in 47 states and patients are overwhelming hospitals across the US. “If things do not change, if they continue on the course we’re on, there’s going to be a whole lot of pain in this country with regard to additional cases and hospitalizations, and deaths,” he said on CNBC Wednesday night.
- Ralphs stores are now offering antibodies tests for $25.
- The US saw its highest number of reported cases in a single day on Thursday:
The US logged 83,757 daily new coronavirus cases Thursday, the highest single day reporting since the pandemic began in January https://t.co/4fYuXEdcPw
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) October 30, 2020
3) Cathedral City is hiring 4 people to police short-term rentals
Short-term rentals, which everyone seems to think are great until they live near one, have seen complaint calls against them skyrocket across the Coachella Valley this year. Cathedral City is now hiring four full-time short-term vacation rental compliance officers to patrol the units.
4) The Rose Parade isn’t happening, but they are giving you something to watch New Year’s Day
The Rose Parade was cancelled months ago, but Thursday organizers announced a “live-to-tape” special that will include musical and marching band performances, celebrity guest appearances, Rose Bowl Game football highlights, equestrians, spectacular floats from years past, and more.
The TV special will air at 8 am on New Year’s Day.
5) Don’t be alarmed if you see helicopters shooting nets onto Bighorn Sheep in Palm Desert this weekend
It’s just a tagging operation, everyone…
CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife is conducting helicopter-based bighorn sheep tagging and collaring in an area above Palm Desert Fri, Oct 30-Mon, Nov 2, 7am-4pm. It involves shooting a net gun from a helicopter to temporarily trap adult female sheep & fit them with radio collars. 1/2
— City of Palm Desert (@PalmDesertGov) October 29, 2020
Tagged and collared sheep will be released on site. The operation is part of the Peninsular Bighorn Sheep Recovery Plan. The helicopter is a red, MD-500, tail number N48MP. Questions can be directed to Fish and Wildlife Project Leader Erin Schaeffer at (760) 628-4022. 2/2
— City of Palm Desert (@PalmDesertGov) October 29, 2020
Updates will now pause until next week. Have a spooky, safe and Happy Halloween, everyone!
Stay safe. Stay smart. Practice Social Distancing. Wear a mask.
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