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.
Note: This post is a bit briefer than normal. A blown transformer in the neighborhood has led to terrible internet at the Cactus Hugs worldwide headquarters today and, well, heading out to use WiFi really isn’t a thing right now and AT&T’s mobile data service is garbage in most of the Coachella Valley. Hopefully, it will be restored by tomorrow and we’ll get these posts back to normal.
Riverside County had not updated its numbers as of 5 pm due to technical issues:
Due to technical issues, we were not able to access local data from the state's CalREDIE website. We apologize for this delay, and will strive to have updated #COVID19 data and information for you tomorrow, June 4. #rivconow #ruhealth
— Dr. Geoffrey Leung (@RivCoDoc) June 5, 2020
As of Wednesday, officials had confirmed:
- 8,303 people have officially tested positive for COVID-19. 148 people have been reported positive in the last 24 hours.
- 345 people are confirmed to have died in the county from the coronavirus. This number includes the reported deaths of 3 people in the last 24 hours.
As of 3 pm Thursday, San Bernardino County has confirmed:
- 5,793 people have official tested positive for COVID-19.
- 210 people are confirmed to have died in the county from the coronavirus.
As of 3:40 pm Wednesday, the State of California has confirmed:
- 122,167 people have official tested positive for COVID-19.
- 4,444 people are confirmed to have died in the state of CA from the coronavirus.
CNN: 107,000 people in the United States have died from coronavirus.
— Ryan Struyk (@ryanstruyk) June 3, 2020
The numbers increase everyday. They are more than just numbers. They are people we have lost:
Francisco "Paco" Vega was a devoted father, husband who worked in construction, landscaping, enjoyed fishing & loved getting together with friends and family. He died from #coronavirus complications just after his 36th birthday & 14th wedding anniversary. https://t.co/l8TT2su5Ww
— Bruce Bourgoine (@BruceBourgoine) June 2, 2020
As many businesses reopen, the majority of Americans are readying for what they believe will be a second big wave of coronavirus, with nearly seven in 10 saying in a new poll that they expect another surge this year:
69% of Americans say they think we will see another surge in coronavirus cases sometime over the next year via new national Monmouth poll.
— Ryan Struyk (@ryanstruyk) June 4, 2020
Officials in LA County have closed many coronavirus testing facilities over the last week as protests take place throughout the county. Half of the approximately 40 government-run testing sites throughout the county have been shut down at some point since Saturday. Experts believe the drop in the number of people tested will hurt the region’s response to the outbreak. “Why did we stop doing this?” asked a Cal State Long Beach epidemiologist. “We’re in the middle of a pandemic.”
A coronavirus vaccine would likely require not just one, but two shots (so hope you aren’t afraid of needles!). USA Today explains why.
As Palm Springs tries to deal with a projected $76 million budget shortfall due to the pandemic, 29 employees of the city have received layoff notices. Those laid off will receive two months of severance, 26 weeks of unemployment and six months of health care benefits, according to the city. In addition, about 30 unfilled city positions have been frozen and another 20 or so employees have opted to take an early retirement.
The City of La Quinta voted Wednesday night to layoff eight workers, furlough others, and defund already vacant positions. The reduction saves the city an estimated $1.8 million as it addresses an expected $2.3 million budget deficit for 2020-21.
The Palm Springs Convention Center is planning for an eventual reopening. They have produced and posted a video to let everyone know how they plan to go about doing that, which includes things like social distancing measures, food served from behind plexiglass, and plenty of sanitizing:
Casinos on the Las Vegas Strip reopened on Thursday. Customers entering as the doors opened were greeted with cheers:
The first guests at the Bellagio at 10 a.m. are being welcomed back by cheering staff and executives. pic.twitter.com/KOVfb3Dvmv
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 4, 2020
The Bellagio Fountains are also back in operation:
The world-famous fountains at the Bellagio are back in action as casinos in Las Vegas opened for the first time since March. https://t.co/LV6Z6WQjR5 pic.twitter.com/0hgYzk19Bs
— ABC News (@ABC) June 4, 2020
The Palm Springs PD was treated to some ice cream on Thursday:
Thank you to Brent Blay from AMR and Park Regency for bringing an ice cream truck by the station for our staff! Much appreciate on this hot day ?☀️ pic.twitter.com/ePT8io09rK
— Palm Springs PD (@PalmSpringsPD) June 4, 2020
Finally, nature is crazy and beautiful:
A photographer in Calgary captured timelapse footage of the northern lights from a window in her home. https://t.co/YaNG8nAchy pic.twitter.com/X3DrYdTcpa
— ABC News (@ABC) June 4, 2020
That’s all for this evening. 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.