Cactus Hugs has been tracking local stories about the coronavirus. For a rundown of all of our updates, click here. Stay safe, stay at a good social distance.
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Note: Cactus Hugs updates will resume on Monday, May 18. Have a nice weekend.
As of 4 pm Friday, Riverside County officials have confirmed:
- 5,618 people have officially tested positive for COVID-19.
- 178 people have been reported to have tested positive in the last 24 hours
- 242 people are confirmed to have died in the county from the coronavirus.
- 7 people have been reported dead in the last 24 hours.
- There are currently 184 confirmed cases hospitalized.
- 68 of those people in the ICU.
- There have been 3,430 official recovered cases in the county.
- The county has conducted 80,937 tests.
- There have been 1,998 reported tests in the last 24 hours.
Riverside County will not be releasing updates again until Monday:
— Dr. Cameron Kaiser (@RivCoDoc) May 16, 2020
As of 3 pm Saturday, San Bernardino County has confirmed 3,463 cases of COVID-19. There have been 155 deaths in San Bernardino County.
As of 10 pm Friday, there have been 77,515 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in California. There have been 3,166 confirmed deaths in the state.
According to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases in the United States, there are at least 1,456,841 cases of coronavirus in the U.S.
At least 88,230 people have died in the U.S. from coronavirus.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 16, 2020
The numbers increase everyday. They are more than just numbers. They are people we have lost:
Thirteen sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive again for the coronavirus after recovering from the disease and returning to the ship. The Roosevelt’s crew began returning to the ship in late April after spending a month either in quarantine or isolation in Guam. But sailors in early May began showing symptoms of the virus, such as a cough and fever, despite testing negative twice. It’s unclear how many members of the crew are infected. At the end of April, when the Navy stopped releasing daily totals, the number of active cases hit 1,102.
Mental health workers are concerned that health care workers will suffer from trauma-related disorders as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. “As the pandemic intensity seems to fade, so does the adrenaline. What’s left are the emotions of dealing with the trauma and stress of the many patients we cared for,” an expert told the New York Times. “There is a wave of depression, letdown, true PTSD and a feeling of not caring anymore that is coming.”
For those looking to get tested for coronavirus, the Coachella Valley has sites in Desert Hot Springs, Indio, and Mecca. Call 1-800-945-6171 for an appointment:
Get tested for #COVID-19. Call 800.945.6171 for an appointment. #rivconow #ruhealth pic.twitter.com/zWk95qfsKi
— Dr. Cameron Kaiser (@RivCoDoc) May 16, 2020
An economics professor at Columbia University worriers that if the pandemic continues to drive up unemployment at current rates, homelessness will increase by 40% to 45% by the end of the year, bringing the total number of those experiencing homelessness in the US to above 800,000.
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has announced that when they are allowed to reopen, restaurants with the proper $100 license will be able to serve alcoholic beverages in new places such as sidewalks, streets and parking lots. Palm Springs Mayor Geoff Kors said of the temporary move, “This is fantastic news for our local economy in Palm Springs and the entire state of California.”
ABC has announced new relief for on-sale dining establishments and club licenses. Get the details here: https://t.co/Ejba4zrfyV pic.twitter.com/i4mMPUIapO
— CaliforniaABC (@CA_ABC) May 16, 2020
Exciting news! California will allow businesses with liquor licenses to temporarily expand their footprint — including…
Posted by Geoff Kors on Saturday, May 16, 2020
After proclaiming that it would have a grand re-opening party on Saturday, the Red Barn bar in Palm Desert did not go through with it. “I would officially like to open today but I’ve been threatened physically and emotionally by the state,” the owner of the bar told KESQ, while not elaborating on how, exactly, the state has physically and emotionally threatened him. He addressed a very small group of people outside the bar, while the TV cameras rolled, saying, “I understand the virus is deadly. I understand the virus is contagious but ya know what I’ve smoked since I was 12 years old. I’m 55 years old, so I’m in the zone. I don’t wear a mask. When it’s time to go, it’s time to go. It’s God’s will and that’s the way it is.”
Red Barn bar’s owner opens doors but not for business on Saturday… https://t.co/fe4CsJYsuj
— KESQ News Channel 3 (@KESQ) May 16, 2020
Large gatherings have been prohibited by health orders in California, but a church in Butte County held services on Mother’s Day anyway. Now, everyone who attended, all 180 of them, are being notified that they need to get tested and self-quarantine after one of the attendees tested positive the day after the service.
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is in need of towels, if you can spare any:
SOS! WE NEED TOWELS!Have you been quarantine cleaning? Spare towels, sheets, or blankets you don’t need? We would LOVE…
Posted by Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Saturday, May 16, 2020
Tonight at 5 pm, Graduate Together will air on numerous TV networks and stream online. Some of the highlights: Former President Barack Obama will deliver a commencement address, the Jonas Brothers will perform their new song, and actress Gal Gadot will share a message.
The Class of 2020 is redefining high school graduation with a first-of-its-kind national ceremony. Let's get ready to go big while we're at home—because this one-hour primetime national graduation celebration is all about US. https://t.co/2J603c8whK pic.twitter.com/2eF57jIBSX
— Graduate Together (@GradTogether) May 16, 2020
An LA Times column makes the case as to why you should consider ordering takeout and delivery direct from restaurants, rather than through a delivery app, as the restaurant ends up having to pay out high fees.
Delivery apps pull in record revenues while our restaurants are dying. Apps justify 30% fees by claiming restaurants will get more business.
But as one restaurant owner put it, “1,000 orders at 30% off does not help.”
LA has to cap app fees. My column:https://t.co/B75khMTi9L
— Lucas Kwan Peterson (@lucaspeterson) May 16, 2020
Thinking about getting some takeout? Here are some local options:
2×1 drinks ? come byPick up .
Posted by Antigua Palm Springs on Saturday, May 16, 2020
Finally, here’s some cool footage of the Air Force Thunderbirds soaring over Disney’s California Adventure on Friday:
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds soared over the Disneyland Resort on Friday. The #AmericaStrong flyover served as a salute to frontline COVID-19 responders in California. Even though our parks are temporarily closed, we continue to salute those who serve. pic.twitter.com/Q4M5F8HFLr
— Disneyland Resort (@Disneyland) May 16, 2020
That’s all for this evening. See you Monday Stay safe. Stay smart. Stay home.
Thank you for your continued support of Cactus Hugs.
These are stressful times for all of us. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and our desert community stronger. This link has some resources to help with coping and also numbers to call or text if you, or someone you know, feels overwhelmed.
Please, take care of yourself and each other. You are important. You are valued. You are loved. ??
Anything we missed? Let us know about it.
