June 4 - Updates on COVID-19

UCI UPDATES

Signage for reengaging campus operations

As the UCI campus begins a phased approach to reengaging campus operations, beginning with research on June 8, signage has been developed to communicate best practices for all individuals who are on site. A rolling installation is planned beginning with research buildings and high-traffic locations. Signs can be downloaded and printed for individuals wishing to access signs directly for specific locations. Additionally, building managers can contact Dan Crout at dcrout@uci.edu in Facilities, Sign Shop for more information. Anyone with additional needs can contact the building manager for special accommodations.

Phase 2 research transitioning starts on June 8, 2020

After meeting with the Orange County Healthcare Agency earlier this week, it is confirmed that UCI will begin transitioning to Phase 2 research starting June 8, 2020. Faculty and independent researchers (“Plan Owners”) may commence Phase 2 research activities after their dean/s or SRP/ORU director/s (“Authorized Official”) have approved their research transition plan in writing. The Office of Research has posted information on the Research Continuity website to help Plan Owners and Authorized Officials develop and review research transition plans.

Donate Blood - 2 giveaways and daily drawings

The UCI donor center in Orange provides blood and platelets for our patients. The volume of blood donations has decreased significantly and your help is needed. Effective now through June 23, we are offering everyone who donates blood a certificate for a pint of Baskin Robbins ice-cream plus our new t-shirt. In addition, we will have a daily drawing for gift cards valued between $20-$30 from various places including Lazy Dog Café, California Fish Market, Dave & Busters, Snooze and more. Appointments are required.

UCI Counseling Center update

The UCI Counseling Center will continue to be open over the summer quarter and offering all services remotely. Services include individual counseling services, initial assessments, urgent care, 1-session appointments, and workshops. See the full list of summer workshops including workshops around movement and self-care (Yoga and Zumba), academic skill building, and skill building on a variety of topics. To make an appointment or learn more about services, call 949-824-6457 and speak to a LIVE staff member.

The Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute is open for in-person visits

The Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute’s clinic in Costa Mesa is now resuming in-person visits. Telehealth visits are also available. Visit the websiteto learn more and make an appointment.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES

Ending coronavirus lockdowns quickly can be more costly than relaxing them gradually

“We’re all in this together” is a commonly heard phrase during this global pandemic, as much of the world practices social distancing. And now researchers at UCI and other institutions have shown that there is some scientific validity to this assertion. In a study published in Nature Human Behaviour, Chinese, European, American and British researchers demonstrate that the number of countries implementing COVID-19 lockdown measures – and the duration of those efforts – have a greater influence on the gross domestic products of nations than the severity of the restrictions.

UCI Podcast: How the pandemic influences our sense of time

In this episode of the UCI Podcast, Alison Holman, an associate professor at UCI’s Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, speaks with UCI’s Aaron Orlowski about the different ways the coronavirus pandemic has affected our ability to keep track of time. An expert in trauma, Holman says the COVID-19 crisis has stripped us of our expected futures, unmooring us.

UCI COVID-19 VIRTUAL EVENTS

The Parent as Role Model

UCI Wellness continues with its COVID-19 webinar series, with The Parent as a Role Model. Young children do not have prior knowledge or skills, and so they eagerly look for someone to imitate. That “someone” is usually one or both of their parents. Parents are a child’s first teachers and role models. Usually children are more affected by what their parents do than by what their parents say. They learn how to behave by seeing their mothers and fathers behave and following their example. For this reason, you need to be aware of the “lessons” you may unintentionally be teaching your children. The event is Friday, June 5 at noon and registration is required.

UC UPDATES

UC awards $2 million in critical research seed funding for COVID-19 high-risk populations

The University of California announced the distribution of $2 million in seed funding for important research across the state aimed at mitigating the impact of COVID-19, particularly among those at greater risk for infection and adverse outcomes. UC awarded the funds to support rapid-response, high-impact research in vaccines, therapeutics, clinical management, epidemiology and other COVID-19 related areas.

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

Hydroxychloroquine used on patients with coronavirus showed no benefit

The first controlled clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine given to people exposed to the coronavirus did not show any benefit.

California sues Education Secretary DeVos, saying she has failed to implement student loan forgiveness program

California is suing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the U.S. Department of Education for what the state alleges is a failure to implement its student loan forgiveness program for people who took on public-service jobs.

Additional 1.9 million Americans filed for unemployment

Approximately 42.6 million U.S. workers have now filed jobless claims since mid-March. The 1.9 million filings over the last week is the first time in 10 weeks that new claims have dropped below 2 million.

Orange County businesses to expand outdoor dining into public places

Cities across Orange County are allowing restaurants and some businesses to extend outdoor dining options into parking lots and public spaces, to comply with social distancing regulations.

Emergency visits for non-COVID-19 cases dropped by 42% during the pandemic

According to the CDC, during the pandemic, the total number of visits to hospital emergency departments across the United States for non-COVID-19 cases was 42% lower than this same time last year.

Costa Mesa receives $2.7 million in federal relief funds for small businesses

Small businesses in Costa Mesa will be getting $2.7 million in relief funds from Orange County to help deal with the financial impact and loss due to the pandemic.

Governor Newsom orders new in-person voting rules for November election

Governor Newsom signed an executive order giving California counties the permission to limit their in-person voting for the November election, to help protect against the spread of coronavirus. Counties can limit in-person voting only if they also offer three days of early voting.

Using tear gas or pepper spray on protestors can help spread coronavirus

According to infectious disease experts, using tear gas or pepper spray on protestors will help spread the coronavirus. Spraying people with tear gas results in them coughing, screaming, and shouting all which can send infectious droplets from an infected person to others.

UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List

Orange County Register, June 3, 2020
Phone pals? For UC Irvine med and nursing students, and older people dodging the virus, a call can be a lifeline

Daily Pilot, June 3, 2020
UC Irvine panel discusses mourning, anti-black violence in response to Black Lives Matter protests, COVID-19

CNBC, June 4, 2020
CDC wants people to drive solo to avoid coronavirus, sparking fear over more congestion and emissions

Futurity, June 4, 2020
In-person ‘retail therapy’ may be gone for good

My News LA, June 3, 2020
UC awards $2 Million in COVID-19 research seed funding

PolitiFact, June 3, 2020
How helpful can herd immunity be in ending the coronavirus pandemic?

Voice of America Learning English, June 3, 2020
Mail-in voting may delay US presidential election results

LatestLY (ANI), June 3, 2020
Lifestyle News | Study reveals slow easing of lockdowns might be good for global economy

Psych Central, June 4, 2020
Domestic violence seen as rising during COVID-19 lockdown

MORE INFORMATION

OC-COVID19.org - powered by UCI and UCI Health, a website devoted to providing timely, useful, evidence-based information about the novel coronavirus pandemic to our friends and neighbors across Orange County

UCI Coronavirus Information Hub - more information on campus status and operational updates

UCI Health COVID-19 Updates - important information related to UCI Health