Coachella Valley coronavirus update | News and info for Sunday, 3/22

Cactus Hugs has been tracking local stories about the coronavirus.  Some links might be behind that other website’s paywall…nothing we can do about that, sorry.  For a rundown of all of our updates, click here.

• Confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide have passed 300,000 people.  In the United States, 20,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19.
• The number of undetected cases of COVID-19 is 11 times more than has been officially reported, according to estimates from researchers at Columbia University.  Their analysis offers a stark warning: even if the United States cuts its rate of transmission in half, which would be a tough order, 650,000 people may still become infected over the next two months.
• The New York Times shows how the virus spread.
• During a press conference on Saturday, Governor Newsom said the state has about 21 million masks in reserves and distributed about 10 million masks in the last week.  We’ve got millions more,” he said. “We’re going to get them out into our system as quickly as possible.”  The state is also receiving supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile and has put in a request with the federal government for 20 million N95 masks, 10 million surgical masks, 10,000 ventilators and 2 million swabs and 200,000 RNA extraction kits used for testing.
• A local group of people are asking for volunteers to help make medical masks for local healthcare workers. They have created a video (below) and a Facebook group.  They will also deliver the pattern and supplies and pick up the masks when completed.

• The Mayor of Big Bear, who announced on Saturday that he had tested positive for coronavirus, explains that he was washing his hands, using sanitizer, and wiping things down, but still contracted the virus.  He says he wants to use himself as an example to let residents of the mountain community and everywhere know that you “have to take this very seriously.”

Mayor Rick Herrick of #BigBearLake is the first person in that area to test positive for COVID-19.

I skyped with him from his home tonight. He says he's feeling okay now but it's been a miserable 7 days battling the virus. More at 11pm on @ABC7 or https://t.co/SGeN5et3TO pic.twitter.com/Ok9HhxS6UC

— Veronica Miracle (@ABC7Veronica) March 22, 2020

• And while many around the state are practicing social distancing and staying home, others are not:

Friend sends me this pic from 20 mins ago at Crissy Field in San Francisco.

“Some people observing social distancing, many not,” friend says. pic.twitter.com/cO9OojwOGE

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 21, 2020

• A local church group is reaching out to elderly parishioners to see if they need assistance shopping, with doing chores, or just need to talk.
• People around the country are trying to spread cheer by putting their Christmas lights up again.

View this post on Instagram

#coronaviruschristmaschallenge I love seeing these posts! ??These are just a few of the people who are spreading some of that Christmas spirit during these challenging times! Share what you are doing to spread joy, kindness and hope and use #coronaviruschristmaschallenge ? #christmasinmarch #coronachristmas #covid19christmas #spreadkindness #happyplace #challengingtimes #joy #hope #peace #love #kindness #christmaslights #spreadcheer @nj_on_air @hodaandjenna @todayshow @3rdhourtoday @goodmorningamerica @foxandfriends @rachaelrayshow

A post shared by Jessica D’Ambra (@jessica_dambra) on Mar 22, 2020 at 6:27am PDT

• The Hallmark Channel is also back in the Holiday spirit:

Christmas continues today with more We Need A Little Christmas Marathon features! Tune in all day long to see some of your favorites. ?#WeNeedALittleChristmas pic.twitter.com/fMAux8iXvn

— Hallmark Channel (@hallmarkchannel) March 22, 2020

• The publisher of CV Independent says that the pandemic has been “cataclysmic for the alt-weekly world.” The paper will still go to print in April and a daily newsletter has been started, which you can sign up for here.
• GameStop is closing all of its store interiors around the country and will only offer curbside pickup or delivery.
• A nurse at a Rancho Mirage senior living community is looking to cheer up residents with her Elvis impression:

• Coachella Valley Beer Scene goes over how to brew your own beer now that you are isolating in your home and practicing social distancing.
• Here’s a guide to take-out, curbside, and delivery specials being offered by Coachella Valley restaurants.

Important information:

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

pic.twitter.com/kFNIDq0Z4S

— Eisenhower Health (@EisenhowerHeal) March 9, 2020

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.