Coachella Valley coronavirus update | News and info for Monday, 3/16

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.

• All bars, nightclubs, and breweries in the City of Palm Springs were ordered to close Sunday night.  Restaurants can remain open, but are asked to only do so at 50% capacity:

UPDATE: Following the advisement of Governor Newsom, City Manager David Ready has declared the following:

? Our community members 65 and older and those who are vulnerable to COVID-19 are encouraged to practice home isolation and only venture out if absolutely necessary pic.twitter.com/6YME8sYqrZ

— City of Palm Springs (@CityofPS) March 16, 2020

• How, exactly, will that be enforced?  The Palm Springs PD explains:

• A music executive has been hospitalized after testing positive for coronavirus.  He hosted a 60th birthday celebration on Feb. 29 at the Madison Club that included attendees like Apple CEO Tim Cook, veteran music manager Irving Azoff, and Apple senior vice president Eddy Cue.  Communal facilities at the Madison Club have been shut down.
• The CDC has recommended cancelling all events of 50 or more people around the country for the next eight weeks:

New: Starting immediately and for the next 8 weeks, CDC recommends cancelling all events of 50 or more people. Full recommendation here: https://t.co/LrjUt4rl7B #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/OroIqhTYJo

— CDC (@CDCgov) March 16, 2020

• 16 health experts penned an op-ed on Sunday asking Americans to #StayHome, save lives – even if you have no symptoms.
• Some in Southern California still refuse to change their routines.
• A few millennials are extremely frustrated that their boomer parents are not taking the coronavirus serious.
• A woman who recently returned from London is San Bernardino County’s first confirmed coronavirus patient.
• Three out of four marines who were quarantined for exposure to coronavirus in Twentynine Palms have tested negative.  One is still awaiting results.
• Despite a forecast with snow on the way, Big Bear Mountain Resort has closed due to the coronavirus:

• Here’s the scene at the Starbucks in Old Town La Quinta on Monday morning, one day after the coffee chain announced it would be eliminating seating (pics sent by Cactus Hugs reader, Christine:

• Other fast food locations are now doing the same.

Note: if you see something out there we should know about, please send photos and info our way

• 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.

#MEALS are still being provided to students from our three local school districts during the #coronavirus closure! To see when/where you should pick up based on your child’s school, click here ➡️ https://t.co/WKV0XeGNdD @PSUSD @CVUSDNews @DesertSandsUSD pic.twitter.com/OQ6smUONyG

— Madison Weil (@MadiKESQ) March 16, 2020

• The lines at local grocery stores continue to be very, very long.

The line of people waiting for the 24-hour-a-day supermarket near my house in Indio to open this morning…. pic.twitter.com/04RAuPipKS

— Larry Bohannan (@Larry_Bohannan) March 16, 2020

Tried to visit my local Sam’s Club with my “early hours” membership. Walked away after seeing probably 200 people in line. #coronavirus

— Shane Newell (@journoshane) March 16, 2020

• A market in La Habra has established special hours for seniors to shop and, honestly, they should be doing this everywhere.

SENIORS ONLY: Northgate Market in La Habra is about to open, but only for seniors who have been trying to avoid crowds, but have been unable to find what they need. https://t.co/yMqD4KkKdh pic.twitter.com/ieNVM1YHMp

— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) March 16, 2020

Important information:

• • • 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.
    • 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.