UCI Forward

UCI Forward is our commitment to the well-being of our community as we ramp up campus operations. Working together, each of us doing our part, we can move UCI Forward.

July 10 - Updates on COVID-19

Section 1

UCI UPDATES

masks work

#WorkYourMask Instagram campaign - tips on how to engage

Earlier this week, we shared information about the #WorkYourMask social media campaign launched by an OC Health consortium including UCI. In an effort to encourage participation, here are some tips to participate: Share a selfie on Instagram, in your feed or in stories, of you wearing a mask and use #WorkYourMask. Does your mask match your shirt? Do you have one for every day of the week? Whatever the case may be, work that mask and prove that it can be an important accessory, in any way that feels authentic to you. Feel free to include your family and friends.

Tips for posting on Instagram:

  • Use hashtag #workyourmask in post captions + Instagram Stories

  • Tag @workyourmask in post captions, Instagram Stories + in photos/videos

  • Use location tags for California, Orange County or your local city or organization

  • Include a shout-out to UCI Health by tagging #UCIHealthcareHeroes, #UCIHealth and @ucihealth

FDA recalls sanitizer distributed at UCI - employees asked to return sanitizer to managers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently recommended a recall of Blumen clear advanced hand sanitizer with 70% alcohol due to the product testing positive for methanol contamination. The FDA has advised consumers not to use this hand sanitizer. This product was distributed to the campus community to combat COVID-19. Please return this brand of hand sanitizer to your Building Facilities Manager or representative who provided you with the product so they can coordinate pickup of the product (do not throw away). Please email the Logistical Support Team LogisticalSupportTeam@uci.edu for assistance or if you have any questions.

Benefits rules changes for COVID-19 relief

To provide relief for faculty and staff affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, UC’s benefits rules have recently changed to provide greater flexibility in withdrawing or borrowing money from Retirement Savings Program plans and in making changes to benefits. Please see the links below for more details, and for instructions on how to request these life event changes in UCPath Online.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES

Health Equity Contact Tracing Workshop

UCI Public Health is partnering with the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) and the Orange County Health Equity COVID-19 Community-Academic Partnership to offer a mid-summer Health Equity Contact Tracing Workshop to train public health practitioners, students, community leaders, and residents to do contact tracing for COVID-19. The Workshop is available free to the public.

UCI featured on Voice of America in Korea

In this 20-minute episode of Voice of America’s show, College Tours, UCI is the featured university. Shot back in January, this show is targeted toward a Korean audience, and showcases some of the unique and signature features of UCI.

UCI COVID-19 VIRTUAL EVENTS

COVID-19 Challenges, Solutions and the Future

The Center for Healthcare Management and Policy in the Paul Merage School of Business presents COVID-19 Challenges, Solutions and the Future. The event takes place July 14 from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Join us for a conversation with senior health care leaders who will discuss issues, challenges and solutions of working during COVID-19 and how business models should evolve going forward. Registration is required.

Dealing with Disruptive or Distressed Students

UCI Wellness, Health and Counseling Services will present a free webinar for faculty and staff, Dealing with Disruptive or Distressed Students. Although the training focuses on learning how to help students, the skills can also be used in the workplace to help a colleague in distress. The one-hour Zoom event starts Tuesday, July 14, at noon. Register in the UC Learning Center. Search “distress” in the activity search field. Webinar information will be sent before the event.

Virtual Lunch with Leadership

Lunch with Leadership has gone virtual! Dr. Willie L. Banks, Jr., Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs will host a virtual Lunch with Leadership on July 14 from noon to 1 p.m. This event provides staff members the opportunity to engage in casual conversation with various UCI leaders. Registration is required.

UC UPDATES

University of California sells bonds

The University of California system sold $2.3 billion in revenue bonds Thursday, its first sale since California reduced the university’s funding by 12% in the fiscal year that started in July. The cuts could be reversed if additional federal dollars come through, a scenario that remains uncertain.

HOPE, INSPIRATION, LAUGHTER

Amid the heartbreaking loss of life and economic hardship wrought by the coronavirus, we recognize the need for stories of kindness, hope, courage and humor. 

5 Lego challenges to make a stay-at-home summer fly

The stay-at-home summer of 2020 has been anything but boring at the house of Ina Turpen Fried. A popular technology journalist, she is also a Lego fanatic and has opted to keep her 7-year-old son, Harvey, occupied by creating elaborate Lego challenges.

Nonprofit donates wedding gowns to health care workers on pandemic front lines

A Massachusetts-based nonprofit is giving away wedding gowns to health care heroes in communities around the country. Brides Across America, known for giving away wedding dresses to military women and first responders, broadened the group it serves amid the coronavirus pandemic as health care professionals continue working to save the lives of COVID-19 patients.

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

New digital tool helps Metrolink riders social distance

Metrolink announces new online tool, How Full is my Train? That allows riders to view a train’s ridership capacity with the option to select another train with lower capacity. These social distancing efforts follow Metrolink’s Clean Care Crew that provides routine sanitation with hospital-grade disinfectant.

California considers allowing law graduates to skip bar exam due to COVID-19

Hundreds of recent graduates, along with the deans of some of California’s most prestigious law schools, are asking the California Supreme Court to cancel the upcoming bar exam. Instead of having to pass the exam, the graduates would automatically be licensed in California under a system used in other states and known as “diploma privilege.”

OC Sheriff to enforce face coverings with ‘education first’ with possible exceptions

In a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, OC Sheriff Don Barnes said he might punish people for “egregious violations” of the statewide mask order, but will continue to opt for “education first” and warned against issuing fines, like some California cities do.

Downtown Disney reopens with new protocols

New safety protocols have been implemented at Downtown Disney to ensure the health and safety of guests and cast members. All guests will undergo a temperature check before entering and face coverings are required for cast and guests.

Old Towne Orange accommodates outdoor dining

Old Towne Orange looks a little different this week as the city has blocked Glassell Street from Maple Avenue to Almond Avenue to create more opportunities for outdoor dining.

Professional associations discuss reopening schools

The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AASA, and The School of Superintendents Association, released a statement about how they are committed to doing everything they can so students have the opportunity to go back to school.

New data shows remdesivir reduces COVID-19

In new data released from Gilead Sciences, the drug remdesivir helped hospitalized COVID-19 patients recover faster and reduced their risk of dying. However, the company says these findings need to be confirmed by clinical trials.

BioNTech says COVID-19 vaccine will be ready by end of 2020

German firm BioNTech is confident that it will seek regulatory approval for a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of this year. BioNTech has partnered with Pfizer in the U.S. to develop the vaccine.

California community colleges shift all sports to spring season 2020-2021

The California Community College Athletic Association announced that all its sports would be moved to the spring 2021 season this coming school year.

UCI IN THE NEWS – COVID-19 Article List

Los Angeles Times, July 10, 2020
Coronavirus deaths are now rising along with cases and hospitalizations. When will the wave crest?

Voice of OC, July 9, 2020
Can Orange County handle a spike in coronavirus hospitalizations?

The Washington Post, July 10, 2020
The Technology 202: Tech to contain coronavirus on college campuses sparks fresh privacy concerns

Science, July 3, 2020
Editorial: Surviving the trauma of COVID-19

Los Angeles Times, July 9, 2020
Coronavirus hospitalizations jump 97% in Orange County in less than a month

KCAL9, July 8, 2020 (Video)
UCI Health/Ducks blood drive

ABC7, July 8, 2020 (Video)
UCI Health/Ducks blood drive

Fortune, July 9, 2020
Professors and universities find creative solutions to keep international students from getting deported

Mother Jones, July 10, 2020
The science about whether it’s safe to send kids back to school is a total mess

Los Angeles Times, July 9, 2020
How to get out of your student housing lease

Business Insider, July 10, 2020
ICE says students taking ‘hybrid’ classes may be able to stay in the US, but it won’t tell colleges what that means

Education Dive, July 9, 2020
Colleges adapt fall plans, recruiting tactics to ICE’s new guidance

HealthITAnalytics, July 10, 2020
UCI uses campus Wi-Fi to test COVID-19 contact tracing app

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