Welcome to 5 Things to Know – a daily rundown of things you might want to be aware of if you live in, visit, or just like being aware about what’s going on in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. As always, thank you for your continued support of Cactus Hugs.

1) Riverside County’s, ummm, plan

Riverside County, which hasn’t been able to come close to containing the coronavirus, is now looking to coordinate with other neighboring counties to approach the state about changing the guidelines for some segments of the economy to reopen.  The move was part of a motion unanimously supported by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, which aims to see if Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego and Imperial counties would consider coordinating with Riverside County in the effort.

The supervisors have previously voted to nix the guidelines of its own health officials and leaders failed to get the virus in control after recently being given an additional week by the state after it fell back into the purple tier.

It’s not quite clear at this point if the supervisors have any sort of plan to control the pandemic, safely open schools, and help the business community with anything resembling a plan that involves more than just throwing your hands up hoping it goes away.

2) The Coronavirus

Riverside County reported 261 new cases and 8 additional deaths on Tuesday. There have been 1,303 reported deaths from coronavirus this year in Riverside County.

Here is the latest on what’s going on in the desert:

October 27 — #COVID19 in the #CoachellaValley (+/- from day before):

15,920 reported cases (+51)
+405 last 7 days

369 deaths (same)
14,714 recoveries (+56)

837 known active cases (-5)
+131 last 7 days pic.twitter.com/vhhdQCtikv

— Kevin Duncliffe (@kevinduncliffe) October 27, 2020

Monday — #COVID19 patients in #CoachellaValley hospitals (+/- from Sunday):

39 confirmed (+2)
4 suspected (-7)

43 TOTAL (-5)
-12 last 7 days

No ICU numbers — for the past two days there have been problems with the reporting. pic.twitter.com/K23OpZ2k2v

— Kevin Duncliffe (@kevinduncliffe) October 27, 2020

More:

• The City of La Quinta is offering rent and mortgage reimbursement aid of up to $10,000 to small businesses and restaurants in the city that have been impacted by COVID-19.
• Some downtown Palm Springs businesses have been calling the local teevee channel to complain that by expanding dining onto sidewalks and streets, it has limited access to their stores.  Not sure how these merchants see how best to make it through a pandemic, but it appears doing next to nothing and hoping for the best is high on the list.
• Despite what some continually say these days, we appear to be far from “rounding the turn”:

Almost 3 million cases of coronavirus have been reported worldwide in the past seven days, a global high, WHO says https://t.co/g22mIFb1FR pic.twitter.com/JFZLocPIp6

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) October 27, 2020

Breaking: Florida's football program has six new positive COVID tests in the past week, bringing the team's total for the month to 37.

The No. 10 Gators returned to practice and meetings starting Monday following a two-week hiatus because of a coronavirus outbreak. pic.twitter.com/HGkP6DHtd9

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 27, 2020

People recovering from COVID-19 may suffer from significant brain function impacts, with the worst cases of the infection linked to mental decline equivalent to the brain ageing by 10 years, researchers warn https://t.co/VT3FTKzbG3 1/5 pic.twitter.com/dhwCiC6IW7

— Reuters Science News (@ReutersScience) October 27, 2020

3) Husband and wife dead in apparent murder-suicide in Yucca Valley

A couple in their 60s were found dead in their Yucca Valley home Friday morning following  what police believe was a murder-suicide.

Police were called to the home on Kickapoo Trail about 11:34 am on Friday to conduct a welfare check and found Bert Midlane, 66, and Pamela Midlane, 64, dead from apparent gunshot wounds. The two were husband and wife.

An investigation determined that the suspect was Bert Midlane, who police say shot his wife, Pamela, then shot himself.

If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: do not leave the person alone, remove any items that may cause them harm such as firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects, and immediately call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.

4) WildLights is Coming Back to the Living Desert

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has announced that WildLights will go on in 2020, with the event being held on select evenings from Wednesday, November 25 through Sunday, December 27.

If you plan on going this year, advanced reservations are required for both members and guests, and tickets will be limited.

There will also be a chance for kids to pose with Santa a little more safely, as the jolly old fat man will be perched high in his festive sleigh, to accommodate for social-distancing, allowing guests of all ages to step into the front of Santa’s sleigh to pose for pictures.

Other activities will include the carousel and making s’mores around a fire.

WildLights takes place November 27-28; and December 4-5, 11-12, 18-24, 26-27. Event hours are 6 – 9 p.m. with last entry at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $14 per person; $12 for members, military (with ID); $10 for children ages 3-12 and free for those under 3. Some attractions require additional fees. Face coverings are required for guests over 3 years old.

You can get more info here.

5) Let’s Go Dodgers!

Game 6.  Could clinch.

🤞

#ITFDB pic.twitter.com/betdLzUHTQ

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 28, 2020

Stay safe.  Stay smart.  Wear a mask.  

💚🌵