Coachella Valley coronavirus news and info | Friday, June 12

By
Casey Dolan
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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. Thank you for your continued support of Cactus Hugs. For ways to keep this website going (and free!), click here.

As of 3 pm Friday, Riverside County officials have confirmed:

  • 10,490 people have officially tested positive for COVID-19.  240 people have been reported positive in the last 24 hours.
  • 383 people are confirmed to have died in the county from the coronavirus. This number includes 6 reported deaths in the last 24 hours.

Here’s what’s happening in the Coachella Valley, and it’s not great…

As of 3 pm Friday, San Bernardino County has confirmed:

  • 6,976 people have officially tested positive for COVID-19.
  • 229 people are confirmed to have died in the county from the coronavirus.

As of 4 pm Friday, the State of California has confirmed:

  • 146,658 people have official tested positive for COVID-19.
  • 4,978 people are confirmed to have died in the state of CA from the coronavirus.

The numbers increase everyday…

They are more than just numbers…

They are people we have lost:

 

An inmate from Chuckawalla Valley State Prison near Blythe died Thursday at an outside hospital from what appears to be coronavirus complications.  The exact cause of death has not yet been determined. The death mark’s the state’s 15th death in a state prisons, with 13 of those at the California Institution for Men in Chino.

Riverside County passed the 10,000-cases mark this week.  Health officials issued a press release on Thursday to mark the moment and remind people they they have “long urged residents to wear face coverings whenever they leave the home and maintain social distancing in public areas.”  And that’s cool and all, but it would mean more if the board of supervisors hadn’t voted against their own health department’s recommendations regarding masks last month and the county sheriff didn’t wake up at 3 am to go on Fox News to boast about how he wasn’t enforcing it anyway because we “don’t need the government being our parents” – and, hey, if only he felt that way about traffic tickets too.  

Yeah, I know, another rant. Sorry, not sorry. Everything is just so awful and so dumb at the same time now.

Speaking of masks, the CDC urged organizers of large gatherings that involve shouting, chanting or singing to “strongly encourage” attendees to use cloth face coverings to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus on Friday. Officials were asked if this applied to political rallies (as you know who is having one in Tulsa on Friday) and they didn’t answer the question, directly, instead offering up, “they are not regulations. They are not commands, but they are recommendations or even suggestions … how you can have a gathering that will keep people as safe as possible.”

Meanwhile, not a mask to be seen…

Dr. Anthony Fauci on Friday said that although he hasn’t spoken to President Donald Trump about his planned campaign rally in Oklahoma, he would urge everyone who attends to wear a mask.  Not sure if Vegas is taking bets on this not happening, but I want in. 

The Desert Sun dove into the data surrounding coronavirus cases and counties entering into advanced stages of reopening and, surprise!, about two-thirds of them now have a higher rate of new daily COVID-19 cases than they did the week they attested to the state that they were ready to reopen. Riverside County saw a a 55% increase during the last week of available data compared to the week the state approved it for partial reopening in May.

So, yeah, despite public officials basically ignoring it, the virus is still very much out there and spreading in our community.  Don’t let down your guard.  Stay smart. Stay safe.  Stay the hell away from jerks who aren’t wearing masks.

Gyms reopened in Riverside County on Friday. The Desert Sun went around and took some photos and, well, they don’t seem all that packed just yet.

Nail salons will be allowed to reopen next Friday in California. Services can resume June 19 with county approval under the guidance released Friday. But studios and salons won’t look the same. Workers and customers must wear face masks and there also must be stringent cleaning practices for shared reusable items like tweezers.

La Botica Healthmart Pharmacy has been handing out free masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers in Coachella.The eastern Coachella Valley remains a hotspot for coronavirus, with more than 350 confirmed cases in Coachella alone. The complimentary masks, gloves and hand sanitizers are available while supplies last.

The Trump Administration is still hard at work during the pandemic..limiting people’s healthcare due to who they love.  Oh and they also chose to do this on the 4th anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting and during Pride Month:

Wineries are allowed to reopen their tasting rooms, with certain modifications. Social distancing is required, masks are recommended although not mandatory, and customers won’t be able to stand at the bar.  This is welcome news as many wineries in Temecula have a lot of outdoor room for people to stay far away from everyone else and many of us can sure use a drink about now:

View this post on Instagram

Guess what??!?! We finally have the green light to open for tastings tomorrow!! Beginning Friday, June 12th we will be open for seated tasting and glasses (no bottles or food) in the Main Tasting Room. Seated wine-by-the-glass, bottles, and food (no tastings) will be available on the Patio. Food will be available for the Patio from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Friday, June 12 through Sunday, June 14th from Wood Fire Pizza Wagon. For Thursday, June 18th through Sunday, June 21st, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm the food will be by Q's Tacos. No one under 21 is allowed at this time and only trained service animals are permitted for the time being. No outside food or drink is allowed. We are only serving modified wine tastings at this time. Wine Club members will receive either wine tastings or one complimentary glass of wine per visit. We will also continue to offer to-go bottle sales and order pickups, but these orders can only be consumed on-site if purchased while seated on the Patio. The health and safety of our guests and associates is a priority at all times. Because of this, tables will be set up 6 feet apart for each group. Please respect social distancing: do not move tables, stools, or chairs closer together and please stay with your own party. Seating is first come first serve, wait times cannot be guaranteed. If we reach capacity, we will still offer bottles and meals to-go. Our team will be working with face coverings, taking all precautions to keep areas clean and sanitized, and practicing social distancing. We miss you too, but we can all wait a little bit longer for hugs and handshakes! We thank you for your continued support and patience during these uncertain times. Stay safe and we hope to see you soon! The Wiens Family

A post shared by Wiens Cellars (@wienscellars) on

Finally…

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.

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