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

By
Casey Dolan
-
(?: KatieElise Folkers)

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.

  • Riverside County Officials have announced 14 new COVID-19 cases.  The county has now seen 45 people infected, with six deaths.

  • Seven of the new cases are in the Coachella Valley:

  • There are eight new reported cases in San Bernardino County, with the total number of COVID-19 cases now reaching 17 in the county.
  • The Washington Post spoke to several people about what it’s like to be infected with coronavirus.
  • Donald Trump announced the federal government would deploy the National Guard in California, along with New York and Washington, to help provide relief.   He also said that the USNS Mercy, a Navy hospital ship , would be deployed to Los Angeles. The move came four days after Gov. Newsom requested California be able to use the ship.
  • FIND Food Bank, which has lost the help of nearly 70% of its volunteers, will be assisted by 25 members of the state National Guard to distribute food.
  • Senators in Washington are taking their sweet ass time coming up with a plan to help your family through these hard economic times.
  • Big Bear Lake has been shut down  for tourists, with officials ordering motels, hotels and private home rentals to close their doors except for essential service personnel.
  • Some Coachella Valley golf courses remain open while others have closed.
  • NBC LA caught two people playing golf in Pasadena at a closed down course:

  • In Huntington Beach, the pier and beaches were packed on Sunday:

  • “Your decision to not physically distance yourself may kill someone,” the Mayor of Los Angeles stated during a Sunday evening address:

  • The number of new escrows in Southern California fell 4% in the 30 days prior to Californians being asked to shelter in place.  Steve Thomas of ReportsOnHousing told the Press Enterprise that the numbers “are stunning, but not unexpected.”
  • A SoCal Anheuser-Busch facility has shifted from producing beer to making hand sanitizer.
  • Costco has, finally, joined other chains in offering special hours for those over 60:

  • The City of Riverside has a new way to get groceries:

  • A local Facebook Group is aiming to connecting neighbors who need help to volunteers.  The groups offers to provide free grocery delivery service one time a week to the grocery store nearest to your home.
  • Another local desert Facebook Group, Coachella Valley Mask Makers, are asking for volunteers to help make medical masks for local healthcare workers.  They have announced pickup and drop-off times at two Palm Desert parks for this week:

  • A Joshua Tree bookstore has a message for those thinking this is the perfect time to take a vacation inside the nearby National Park:

  • 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.

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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