In California: Officials field calls about cars in parking lots, people too close

Unofficial shelter-in-place patrol officers are out making sure orders are being followed. And the state's tax mix has some projecting this could be the worst economic downturn in history. Yet, there is so much strength around us, so stick around for some of those stories.

It's Arlene Martínez, bringing you news for Thursday.

In California has coronavirus news and resources to keep you safe and informed, pulling content from across USA TODAY Network newsrooms and beyond. Sign up for free delivery.

Let's start with some of the biggest stories to know and share:

The $2 trillion stimulus package remains on track to be passed this week. So when will you get that check, you wonder? For some, within three weeks of the bill's passage.

Remember how youth was going to save the youth from coronavirus? That isn't turning out to be the case: The CDC reported last week nearly 40% of hospitalized coronavirus patients were between the ages of 20 and 54.

Farm labor contractors are having problems getting N95 and dust masks, meaning the workers bringing us food are extra vulnerable to exposure from pesticides and other harmful particles.

Snow, gusty winds and icy roads: Be on the lookout for a cold storm.

In a surprise to possibly no one, United Airlines is the stingiest of the four big U.S. airlines when it comes to offering flight refunds because of coronavirus.

A seaside SoCal community, before and during coronavirus, in video. And across the country, in pictures.

A dubious record: The U.S. passes China and Italy with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Golden State coronavirus tracker: 3,846 cases, 80 deaths.

Where we were a week ago: 1,008 cases, 19 deaths.

'I'd like to report a lack of social distancing'

Cars in a parking lot. Games of b-ball. People standing less than six feet apart.

The reports are coming in fast and furious, but despite their potential (or perceived) threat, officials in the Coachella Valley say their focus isn't on issuing fines or making arrests. It's about education.

They say a minority of residents commit violations, and those who do simply need to be reminded of statewide orders in place: Stay home unless performing essential work or errands; maintain a 6-foot gap between you or others; no non-essential businesses; only allow delivery or pickup from restaurants; and no social gatherings of over 10 people.

"It is our goal to have businesses and folks comply. Citations would be a last resort, and we have not had to issue any thus far," says Desert Hot Springs spokeswoman Doria Wilms.

Don't get the cops called on you: Explore a giant kelp forest, journey to the Channel Islands, see the blooms in living color. From home.

Life in a coronavirus world — and how it lives

Whether you get groceries delivered (recommended for high-risk groups) or go out for them, here are tips for doing it safely.

How long coronavirus lives on surfaces and what to do about it.

Can you get novel coronavirus if you've had it? Chances are good, no.

New to the world, separated from mom

Pregnant women who become infected with the new coronavirus or are exposed to the illness it causes face more distressing news: possible separation from their newborn for up to a week or more.

That’s the recommendation of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology to stop the potential spread of the virus from mother to child.

The new guidelines state "facilities should consider temporarily separating the mother who has confirmed COVID-19 or is a PUI (person under investigation) from her baby until the mother’s transmission-based precautions are discontinued."

Separation guidance varies from 72 hours to seven days and in some cases up to 14 days. It is not known if pregnant women are more likely to get sick from the virus or what if any risk infants face if their mom has COVID-19.

'A recession unlike anything we have ever seen'

As a state highly dependent on wealthy people making a lot of money, California sees its revenues quickly drop when markets go sour. That's got experts projecting one of the worst economic downturns in history.

“This is really going to be a recession unlike anything we have ever seen before,” said Dr. Mark Duggan, a Stanford University economist and director at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. “Usually with recessions,” he explained, “it’s somewhat gradual. This will be just an instantaneous change in the economy.”

A new report from the Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank, paints a bleak picture, projecting 604,741 jobs will be lost in California by this summer.

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The state budget relies heavily on the wealthiest earners — the state's top 1% in 2017 was responsible for more than 47% of the state’s income tax collections. Most of that comes in capital gains, taxed the same as income and heavily dependent on the stock market.

California got nearly $11 billion from capital gains taxes in 2007, compared to $2.3 billion in 2009 as the recession raged.

And the state’s underfunded unemployment insurance system, long considered underfunded by analysts whose warnings went largely unheeded, will not be able to sustain the immense need for long, at least not on its own.

Find out more about the way the state is funded here.

Seeking: Your crafting and cooking adventures

We've been crafting in my household a little (lot) more than usual, taking time to do that haunted gingerbread house from Trader Joe's and finding ideas inside Ranger Rick's monthly magazine, a Christmas gift from the kids' uncle.

I emphasize personal expression over professional-grade quality — which is subjective anyway, amirite — and I love the outcomes. They decorate our home in an undeniably unique way.

I'd love to see and share what you all are doing! Send me what you and/or your little ones have been creating and include the inspiration piece, if there was one. Email me at avmartinez@gannett.com. I'll feature them in an upcoming newsletter.

Stories of strength, a reminder of all you can do

Storytelling is as old as language, and in our shared words, there is history, lessons, connections, a comfort in knowing someone has been there before.

I've felt and seen these bonds over the years in being part of the Storytellers Project, a series of live events that take place in Ventura County, Palm Springs and other sites across the country.

Each Thursday for the next few weeks, I'm sharing a playlist the national team compiled of some of the thousands of stories our neighbors have graciously shared. Week 2 centers on the theme of Strength.

And don't miss our live event on April 2 at 5 p.m. It's free, uplifting and coming straight to you!

Now onto the playlist:

Against all odds

Julia King Kohn grows up idolizing dogs. Once she learns about the Iditarod, she knows she has to find a way to be part of the famous race, which lead her to an unpaid job caring for and feeding a team of 35 dogs, more than 22 miles from the nearest village outside Quebec.

AUDIO: Listen as Julia shares her story.

35 years to Mount Everest

Jim Davidson is fascinated with mountains and obsessed with climbing. After 35 years, he has a shot at his dream of climbing to the top of Mount Everest. He is ready to try for the summit, but it starts storming. So he waits. After 11 days, the weather finally clears. What happens next was the real lesson.

AUDIO: Listen to Jim as he tells his story.

Man vs. Beast

Travis Kauffman and girlfriend Annie Bierbower tell the story of how Travis fought off a mountain lion while on a run in Fort Collins, Colorado. The cougar was a juvenile and had Travis in his jaws. The attack drew international headlines.

AUDIO: Listen to Travis and Annie share their story.

Till death do us part

Barry Karcher almost died in the Arctic as a contestant on the History Channel's sixth season of "Alone." Karcher left his wife, Constance, and two young children behind for a chance at $500,000. This story comes from two points of view: Barry’s adventure in the wilderness and Constance, back home without her husband.

AUDIO: Listen to Barry and Constance share their story.

A quick dip turns into a bad trip

Kris Brown and his two friends decided to go to the swimming hole at Opal Creek in Oregon in July. They packed light — a couple of towels, swimsuits and a bag of trail mix. What was supposed to be a few hours at a swimming hole ended in a cold, overnight, wild-animal-filled rescue.

VIDEO: Watch as Kris shares his story.

A skill that endures the test of time

Kyle Mitchell tells the story of how he learned to navigate without a map by using the North Star. He learned how to use the stars from his grandfather, who once got his platoon out of a combat zone by navigating using the star and his hands. Kyle later used those navigation skills in Afghanistan.

AUDIO: Listen to Kyle tell his story.

In California is a roundup of news from across USA TODAY Network newsrooms. Also contributing: Consumer Reports, San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus, United, shelter in place, newborns, snow, DIY: Thurs news