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.
- Governor Newsom has declared a “stay at home” order for the entire state. Details are here. The order is for the entire state of California, nearly 40 million people, and asks for residents to stay at home and nonessential businesses to be shut down.
- KMIR goes over what’s open and what’s closed in the Coachella Valley.
- The Palm Springs City Council voted unanimously in favor of a two-week moratorium on eviction notices for renters who cannot pay due to the current economic environment during the coronavirus pandemic.
- The City of Palm Springs believes tax revenues for the rest of the year could plummet more than $20 million. One official called the estimate, “disturbing.”
- The US and Mexico will soon announce new travel restrictions along the border:
JUST IN: Mexico’s Foreign Minister @m_ebrard says that the US & Mexico will announce in the next few hours a decision to restrict travel along US/Mexico border. He says that bilateral trade will not be affected. No further details. pic.twitter.com/VCdvqLrdXg
— José Díaz Briseño (@diazbriseno) March 20, 2020
- A local coronavirus patient spoke to KESQ. She believes she contracted the virus in February during a women’s group meeting at a friend’s house.
- Mother Jones looks at the number of hospital beds per resident in each US County. Riverside County has .002 beds per resident and .011 beds per resident over the age of 65. San Bernardino County has the same number of hospital beds per resident, but a younger average age, pushing the number of beds per resident over 65 to .017.
- Palm Desert and La Quinta have scheduled emergency city council meetings for Friday.
- Tax Day has been moved back a few months:
At @realDonaldTrump’s direction, we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties.
— Steven Mnuchin (@stevenmnuchin1) March 20, 2020
- The ANA Inspiration golf tournament has set new dates: September 10 – 13.
- Spotlight 29 Casino and Tortoise Rock Casino have closed.
- It appears many in the Coachella Valley are using this time to work on some home projects and, when they are done, if they could swing by my pad, hang a door, and a install a new faucet, that would be great:
A family friend who is a Home Depot manager tells me that stores are busier than ever right now. People are stuck at home and bored, so many have resorted to finally tackling home projects and renovating their houses.
— Angela Chen KESQ (@AngelaWChen) March 20, 2020
- Walmart is hiring and it is giving its current employees some bonuses.
- Marijuana sales are surging.
- Palm Springs pot shops have been labeled “essential” and will be allowed to continue to operate.
- Burger King will offer two free kid’s meals for every adult meal that’s ordered on their app or online starting on Monday.
- This was the scene during early shopping hours for seniors at a desert grocery store Friday morning:
40 people behind me with 15 minutes to go till doors open at the local grocery store. When the doors opened, the clerk kept repeating, "Be kind to one another." Senior and disabled shopping has now become Gladiator. pic.twitter.com/DiBfH4tSlE
— Steve Kelly (@skellynj) March 20, 2020
- California is now allowing restaurants to sell cocktails to-go:
California Dept of Alcoholic Beverage Control announces temporary regulatory relief and will allow restaurants to sell alcohol (inc. cocktails) to-go. Must be pre-packaged. https://t.co/jxBEZmOK51 pic.twitter.com/1doq7ezuot
— Kelly Davis (@kellylynndavis) March 20, 2020
- Dringk in Rancho Mirage is now doing just that (along with online orders and even groceries):
- The Beer Hunter appears to have made everything in their inventory available:
- Breweries around the country, including those in the Coachella Valley, are encouraging a “nationwide cheers” at 5 pm today. Desert Beer Company is taking orders online. Coachella Valley Brewing is offering beer to-go. La Quinta Brewing is doing the same and will even deliver.
TODAY 5pm! Raise a glass in support of local craft breweries across the nation! We’re proud to participant in this united effort to encourage craft beer fans to support their local breweries by sharing a pint “together” while practicing social distancing at home.#NationwideCheers pic.twitter.com/i0ZfH0abs3
— La Quinta Brewing Co (@LaQuintaBrewing) March 20, 2020
- Here’s a guide to take-out, curbside, and delivery specials being offered by Coachella Valley restaurants.
- Happy Friday. It is Friday right? How does anyone know the days anymore??
Important information:
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- 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.
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— Eisenhower Health (@EisenhowerHeal) March 9, 2020
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.