Coachella Valley coronavirus update | News and info for Tuesday morning, 3/24

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 confirmed three more positive cases of COVID-19 on Monday afternoon.  The total number of infected is now 48. There have been six deaths in the county.

• San Bernardino County has confirmed 17 total cases of COVID-19.  There have not been any reported deaths.
• There have been 2,246 confirmed cases in California and 42 confirmed deaths in the state.
• The co-founder of Instagram has started a data-driven website with lots of stats and info about the spread of coronavirus:

Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom just started a data-driven site about the spread of the coronavirus. https://t.co/ys4SE0z45I

— Tina Daunt (@tinadaunt) March 24, 2020

• There has been a steep rise in people being hospitalized with coronavirus in LA County.  Experts believe this wave of extremely sick patients could overwhelm hospitals in the coming weeks.
• On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said California needs 50,000 additional hospital beds to meet an expected surge of COVID-19 patients. Even with those added beds, the state would still be 17,000 beds short.   The Governor also said that social distancing measures might last another two to three months.  “It’s going to take a heroic effort,” Newsom exclaimed.
• Donald Trump is stating that he would like businesses to open up again, but he will keep be sure to keep a loving eye on your grandma for you:

Our people want to return to work. They will practice Social Distancing and all else, and Seniors will be watched over protectively & lovingly. We can do two things together. THE CURE CANNOT BE WORSE (by far) THAN THE PROBLEM! Congress MUST ACT NOW. We will come back strong!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2020

• The call to reopen businesses comes after the shut down of six of Trump’s top seven revenue-producing clubs and hotels, which will likely cost Trump’s company millions of dollars in revenue, reports the Washington Post.
• Meanwhile, the Senate still hasn’t passed a bill to provide you financial help during all this.  But, they say they are close.
• Riverside County will soon open the doors of hotels and motels for the homeless during the pandemic.
• The City of La Quinta donated 1,500 N95 masks and coveralls that were being stored in their emergency operations center to Desert Regional Medical Center.  They then challenged other cities to do the same.
• The City of Palm Springs has placed a ban on all vacation rentals and hotel stays for anyone unless it’s being used for critical infrastructure workforce or is being used  as part of the COVID-19 response.
• Rancho Mirage has placed a temporary moratorium on all Short-Term Rentals in the city.
• All jury trials in the state of California have been suspended for 60 days.
• This was the scene at the Palm Desert Costco this morning:

Costco in Palm Desert at 7:30 a .m. pic.twitter.com/t1xqn2KCAR

— Scott Roberts (@scottjroberts33) March 24, 2020

• People are taking this time to plant a lot of home gardens.
• A local DJ is spending time picking up groceries and prescriptions for locals who need it.

• A local singer is posted on social media over the weekend that he would come to your home and sing curbside (at a safe social distance). As the Desert Sun reports, he ended up performing for 22 residences singing songs like  Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and Dean Martin’s  “That’s Amore.”

• Reminder: Veteran journalist Janet Dagley guest posted for Cactus Hugs about the numerous ways to stay informed and entertained during this time using local online libraries and apps.
• An Arizona man died and his wife was is in the hospital after health officials say they self-medicated using a fish tank additive that has the same active ingredient as an anti-malaria drug promoted by the president.

• There seems to have been quite a lot of interest to help a local Facebook group make masks for healthcare workers

• Augustine Casino says that employees will continue to receive compensation and benefits while the casino is closed.

• The last few days have been hard on The Sandwich Spot in Palm Springs.  Half the staff has been laid off (with hopes to rehire again), but the restaurant is still open and offering deliveries.
• Restaurants are encouraging people to participate in the #TheGreatAmericanTakeout today by ordering takeout meals from local restaurants or getting delivery.
• Here’s a guide to take-out, curbside, and delivery specials being offered by Coachella Valley restaurants.

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.
    • 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.