Coachella Valley coronavirus news and info | Friday, 3/27

By
Casey Dolan
-
(?: Ritzy P)

Cactus Hugs has been tracking local stories about the coronavirus.   For a rundown of all of our updates, click here.

  • As of 8:30 am Friday, Riverside County officials have confirmed 151 people have tested positive for COVID-19. There have been 8 reported deaths in the county.

  • As of 5 pm Thursday, San Bernardino County has confirmed 55 cases of COVID-19.  There has been 3 deaths in San Bernardino County.
  • Los Angeles County has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases, with the number up from 808 to 1,229 between Wednesday and Thursday. “If this rate of increase continues, in six days we will be where New York is today,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
  • A Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy has tested positive for the coronavirus.  According to Sheriff Chad Bianco’s video message, below, the deputy came to work a few days ago at an undisclosed county jail and later reported not feeling well. Due to the nature of duties that day, Bianco says that the deputy never came into contact with inmates or jail personnel:

  • KESQ looked at how Coachella Valley first responders are altering their protocols amid the pandemic.
  • A local doctor is pleading with Americans to demand protection for front line workers who are short on equipment and supplies. He told KMIR,  “Every single citizen right now can call the White House and demand that the Defense Production Act be fully invoked and that the federal government get involved in equipping front line health care workers with the personal protective equipment we need to stay safe in treating patients from this pandemic, if they don’t they’re going to start losing doctors and nurses left and right and there will be no one left to care for all of the sick.”
  • A doctor in Irvine is now living in his garage to protect his family from COVID-19.
  • The Huffington Post looked at the high risk America’s farmworkers have during the pandemic, with issues like crowded and unsanitary transportation and housing units as well as no federal guidelines governing what a farmer should do if they don’t have space to quarantine sick workers or how those who may have the virus can access affordable health care.
  • Mark Blum, an actor known for his roles in “Desperately Seeking Susan” and HBO’s “Succession” has died from coronavirus complications at the age of 69.
  • British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Congressman Raul Ruiz is urging members of both parties to pass the stimulus bill:

  • How much would you get from the stimulus?  Here’s a calculator to check.
  • Gas prices are cheap af.
  • The DMV is temporarily closing all of its field offices.
  • The city of La Quinta asks that you not use the city’s parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms.
  • Fantasy Springs Casino will remain closed and will reevaluate the situation on a week-to-week basis going forward:

  • Riverside has closed Mt. Rubidoux as its hiking trails have been flooded with people over the last few days:

  • Grocery stores are seeing the return of some recently hard to find items and it should stay that way unless the hoarders show up.  Nancy Negrette, Stater Bros. vice president for corporate affairs told the Press Enterprise Thursday that anything not available should be on the shelves in the days that follow, but not if shoppers unnecessarily stock up.
  • No, seriously, it’s true:

  • El Mexicali II restaurant delivered burritos to healthcare workers at JFK hospital:

It is always an honor to be able to give back to our community. Blessed to be a blessing!!! Thank you JFK Hospital staff for your relentless hard work and dedication❤️

Posted by El Mexicali Cafe II on Thursday, March 26, 2020

  • Looking for a little take-out?  This place is delicious and, hey, a coupon code!

  • With far less traffic on the roads these days, the skies around Southern California are looking much more clear:

  • That’s all for this morning.  Happy Friday…it’s Friday, yeah??  I don’t think anyone knows for sure.  Regardless, thank you for your support of Cactus Hugs.  Take care of yourself, your family, your neighbors, and everyone else.

Important information:

    • 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.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR