Coachella Valley coronavirus news and info | Tuesday, evening 3/31

By
Casey Dolan
-
(?: Monica Morones)

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, and thank you for your continued support of Cactus Hugs.

Note: Today was a particularly bleak news day.  Information is below.  Stay safe.  Stay smart.  And remember, we are all in this together. ??

As of 3 pm Tuesday, Riverside County officials have confirmed 371 people have tested positive for COVID-19. There have been 13 reported deaths in the county.   Among those who have recently passed were a Cathedral City man in his 60s and a Palm Springs man in his 70s.

As of 5 pm Monday, San Bernardino County has confirmed 125 cases of COVID-19.  There has been 4 deaths in San Bernardino County.

As of 4:19 pm Tuesday, there have been 8,254 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in California.  There have been 174 deaths in the state.

The predictions of what is to come are stunning and heartbreaking:

Officials have confirmed a large cluster of people were infected at a Yucaipa nursing home:

Within 24 hours of Governor Newsom announcing the program, more than 25,000 medical professionals applied to join Californian’s new Health Corps. “I’ve never been more damn inspired in my life,” the governor said during a news conference.

Riverside County Health officials are now recommending that you cover your face when leaving the house.  “When the situation changes, the rulebook changes,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer. “We’re seeing our numbers increasing even sooner than we predicted and that means our strategy must change too. Covering your face doesn’t change the orders everyone must abide by to stay home as much as possible and maintain social distancing, but it’s an extra layer of protection that I think we need to add.”  Officials say that the coverings do not have to be hospital grade, but should cover the nose and mouth.

“Due to the current safety concerns and needs for ongoing social distancing it currently appears that our students will not be able to return to school campuses before the end of the school year,” state Superintendent Tony Thurmond wrote in a letter released to local school districts on Tuesday.

Joshua Tree National Park is completely closing to the public:

With all the terrible news and information today, this is a thing that is happening in the Coachella Valley…

Oh, and just FYI:

Walmart announced that it will soon begin taking the temperature of all employees as they arrive for work at stores and other facilities.

It appears someone may have been attempting to use the coronavirus to scam people in Rancho Mirage, with flyers being distributed promising a take-home virus test.

The CHP knows that those open roads are inviting, but asks that you drive at a reasonable speed:

Instead of taking advantage of the open roadways, slow down and take some time to enjoy the beauty in life. The simple…

Posted by CHP – Indio on Tuesday, March 31, 2020

A Desert Sun reader proposed an immediate halt to the Palm Springs arena.  “This is not the time to be spending time and resources on such a facility, at least until the virus is contained and we are no longer at risk,” they write.

Rancho Mirage High’s ASB has announced a Tik Tok Challenge:

It’s off to a wild start:

That’s all for this evening and, hey, we somehow made it through the longest March in the history of mankind.  As always, thank you for your support of Cactus Hugs.  Take care of yourself, your family, and your neighbors – and, please, be well.

Important information:

Congressman Raul Ruiz has posted a list of local resources and information.

The Washington Post offers plenty of ways that you can help during the coronavirus pandemic.

If you see someone price gouging, there is now a number for that.

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.

Here is a memo by the Department of Homeland security identifying critical infrastructure workers.

The United Way of the Desert has assembled a nice list of information and resources available during the coronavirus here.

 

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.

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