May 11 - Updates on COVID-19

UCI UPDATES

What’s Next for Campus Operations

Today, the Chancellor announced that the campus will begin to share its plans for reengaging campus operations. On-site operations will resume at a gradual pace, with some areas ready for in-person attention before others. Some research operations will resume first, as noted in a message from Vice Chancellor of Research Pramod Khargonekar. The phase-in decisions are being made with an abundance of thought and planning, with the health of our community at the forefront. You will be informed when your unit is prepared to begin a transition phase.

National Nurses Week

UCI recognizes nursing excellence with three words: “Compassion, Expertise, Trust.” That is the theme of National Nurses Week, which we are now celebrating and which runs through Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday on Tuesday, May 12. It is an excellent three-word description of what nurses bring to each patient. Read about the expansive roles of UCI and UCI Health’s nursing programs in the Vice Chancellor of Health Affairs’ recent message.

Groceries for Grads

The School of Social Ecology has started a Groceries for Grads program to provide a relief valve for social ecology graduate students in the form of summer stipends. The goal is to raise $100,000 in May. Dean Nancy Guerra and Professor Kirk Williams started the fund with a $1,000 contribution. All are invited to contribute in any amount, which will allow social ecology graduate students to continue their summer research and provide for their daily necessities.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES

Giving Tuesday video

To recognize and thank everyone who participated in #GivingTuesdayNow last week, please watch this one-minute video that has some of the grateful photos and messages sent from the community. #GivingTuesdayNow – a day dedicated to addressing the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19 around the world – took place on May 5.

OC’s most vulnerable communities hit hardest economically by pandemic

The School of Social Ecology has published the The report, “Economic Impacts of the COVID-19 Crisis in Orange County, California: Neighborhood Gaps in Unemployment-Insurance Coverage,” which finds Orange County’s neighborhoods at highest risk of not receiving adequate economic assistance in the wake of the COVID-19 unemployment crisis are low-income, predominantly Latinx or Asian, and immigrant. And, the majority of the highest-risk neighborhoods are concentrated in Santa Ana.

UCI COVID-19 VIRTUAL EVENTS

Misinformation in the Age of Coronavirus

The School of Social Sciences continues with its Zot Zeries on May 13 with a virtual event titled Misinformation in the Age of Coronavirus. The event features Cailin O’Connor, associate professor, and Jim Weatherall, professor, department of Logic & Philosophy of Science. The program is from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and registration is required.

COVID-19 & the Law: Quarantine and the Limits of Government Action

The School of Law is hosting a virtual event May 13, from 5 to 6 p.m., called COVID-19 & the Law: Quarantine and the Limits of Government Action. This intellectual webinar features UCI Law Prof. Michele Goodwin and is moderated by UCI Foundation Chair, and UCI Law Board of Visitor Member, Julie Hill. Webinar details will be emailed to those who RSVP.

Let’s Learn Homeschooling: Teacher Tricks to Use at Home

The Continuing Education Division is offering a virtual event to help viewers learn how to incorporate teaching into everyday life. This presentation is focused on children from pre-K - 5th grade, but can be valuable for children in older grades by making a few minor adjustments. The event takes place Thursday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration is required.

Busting Myths and Misinformation during a Pandemic

The School of Humanities continues with its COVID-19: The Humanities Respond series with a virtual event called Busting Myths and Misinformation during a Pandemic. The event takes place Thursday, May 14, and features Annalisa Coliva and Duncan Pritchard from the Department of Philosophy in a conversation with Dean Tyrus Miller.

Pandemic Parenting

The School of Social Ecology is launching “Parkside Chats,”a webinar series featuring conversations with Dean Nancy Guerra and faculty experts on the social, environmental and mental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Join the conversation on May 15 for Pandemic Parenting with Jessica Borelli, associate professor of psychological science.

UC UPDATES

Fewer international students expected to return to colleget

John A. Perez, the UC regents chairman and former state Assembly Speaker, said he thinks there is “a high likelihood that there’s a decline of international students because of issues that are outside of university’s control and mainly outside of the students’ control.” UC could try to replace them with students from other U.S. states, who pay the same high tuition. But beyond finances, UC would have trouble “creating a dynamic environment that benefits from having people with different global views,” he said.

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

CARES Act and graduate students

The Council of Graduate Schools has put together a package outlining individuals and what compensation they may be eligible for based on the CARES Act.

Guidance for false COVID-19 information spread

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued “COVID-19 Disinformation Activity,” which provides guidance to deter false information and conspiracy theories related to COVID-19. It provides factual information to counteract inaccurate claims and provides simple steps the public can take to fact check information and minimize the risk of spreading false or misleading content.

CA citizens will vote by mail this November

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to send every eligible voter in California a ballot by mail in November.

Abbott Labs receives second FDA emergency authorization for antibody test

The Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization for Abbott Laboratories coronavirus test that detects COVID-19 antibodies. The company plans to ship nearly 30 million tests this month and ship 60 million in June.

COVID-19 outbreak in the White House

A few White House employees, including President Trump’s valet and Mike Pence’s press secretary, have tested positive for coronavirus. Some members of the White House coronavirus task force are self-quarantined as a precaution.

23% of children with COVID-19 in pediatric ICU experienced multi-organ failure

In a new study that included 48 children with coronavirus who were admitted to pediatric intensive care units, 23% of them had failure of two or more organ systems. The most common organ was the lungs, with 81% requiring respiratory support, such as a ventilator.