August 14 - Updates on COVID-19
Section 1
CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
Infinity Fountain splashing cool water on a hot day. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI.
TODAY’S CAMPUS UPDATES
Case count update
One employee has tested positive for coronavirus since yesterday. For a cumulative campus case count, as well as how to report a case, please visit www.uci.edu/coronavirus.
Be an Anteater Pledge Ambassador!
COVID-19 is a global pandemic, and it has touched our UCI community. If you are passionate about educating your UCI peers and making a positive impact on the campus community, apply to be an Anteater Pledge Ambassador! You will volunteer with us for the 2020-2021 academic school year and will participate in getting timely information and resources about COVID-19 to the campus community. No health education experience is necessary, and individuals selected will receive training. Applications are due August 20.
UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND EVENTS
Delaying medical care can be harmful to older adults
Across the country, older adults with acute and chronic conditions have hesitated to visit medical offices, given that people over age 65 are at greater risk for severe illness from exposure to the novel coronavirus outbreak. But people with these conditions — such as diabetes, hypertension and heart ailments that require regular monitoring — are also vulnerable to experiencing complications from their underlying disease if care is postponed, says Dr. Lisa Gibbs, medical director of the UCI Health SeniorHealth Center.
Five things you need to know about the economy
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Professor Chris Schwarz has held virtual Economic and Market Updates where he interprets the economic situation and provides insight on what may come next. Read the top five things you need to knowfrom Professor Schwarz in his most recent update.
Top 6 ways for job seekers to use pandemic downtime productively
“This is a disruptive and transformational moment for all of us, especially if you’re looking for a new job. You may find yourself needing to expand the types of opportunities you’re open to. Career exploration, networking and understanding how your transferable skills can benefit multiple industries is time well spent,” says Cynthia Rude, executive director of UCI’s Paul Merage School of Business Career Center. She shares some of her expert insights into making the most of the extra time you have on your hands.
School of Social Ecology launches Ph.D. in clinical psychology
In a push to address growing mental health needs, the School of Social Ecology is launching a new Ph.D. program in clinical psychology. The program will begin enrolling students in the fall of 2021. “Even before the coronavirus pandemic hit us and more people started experiencing mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, the demand for mental health research and service was skyrocketing,” Dean Nancy Guerra points out.
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.
Get ready for an epic movie night! World’s last Blockbuster store is now an Airbnb
Looking for an unforgettable place to stay? Ditch the hotels and motels, because the last Blockbuster store is officially listed on Airbnb. Sandi Harding, the manager of the world’s last Blockbuster store, has listed the Bend, Oregon, store on Airbnb, offering movie lovers of a certain age the chance to relive a nostalgic, pre-Netflix summer sleepover. She adds that she hopes to offer a sense of community amid the pandemic by opening the store to three quarantine pods for a socially-distanced movie night.
Artist creates origami crane memorial for COVID-19 victims
An artist in Los Angeles is memorializing each of the thousands of people who have died from COVID-19 in the United States with a delicate origami crane. “Cranes are a traditional Japanese symbol of carrying the soul to heaven,” said the artist. She tried making 10 cranes each night but when on May 14 the number of deaths ticked to 88,000 she realized it would take her 24 years to complete them and she asked for help. Now volunteers drop off scores of the elegantly made paper swans daily.
GENERAL COVID-19 NEWS
Note: Some news organizations require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times and Wall Street Journal for students, faculty and staff.
OC Health Care Agency announces “What You Feel Is Real” campaign to raise awareness of mental health resources during COVID-19
The OC Health Care Agency announced a new advertising and community outreach campaign encouraging Orange County residents impacted by COVID-19 to care for their mental health by reaching out and seeking support. Specifically, the campaign directs residents to free County of Orange resources available to the community including those listed on www.ocgov.com/covid and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Warmline (877-910-9276) for immediate mental health support.
OC school waivers to reopen on hold
In Orange County, the Health Care Agency has received more than 50 school reopening waiver applications from private, independent or faith-based schools as of Aug. 12. That same day, Orange County Acting Health Officer Clayton Chau said in an email that approvals are “on hold for now,” given issues with the state’s data reporting system.
Tips for sending your kid to college during COVID-19
As some colleges and universities reopen for virtual and hybrid classes, the CDC and health care professionals share ways for students to keep healthy. Professionals provide advice on campus safety, needed supplies, and CDC guidance.
California becomes first state to surpass 600,000 cases
California has now reported 602,997 coronavirus cases, the highest across the nation. Florida has the second most cases at 557,137.
Public health leaders in CA, nationwide leaving jobs amid pandemic pressures
The departures in California mirror a nationwide trend in which dozens of top health officers have left formerly low-key positions after they were thrust into the white-hot, polarizing spotlight of the coronavirus pandemic. Although some of the officials simply retired, others became casualties of burnout, death threats, social media ugliness and lack of political support.
California’s statewide eviction ban to end on Sept. 1
The California Judicial Council voted that the freeze on court eviction cases and the freeze on court foreclosures will run through Sept. 1. As many as 4 million renters are believed to be at risk of losing their homes due to COVID-19.
Orange County awaits remaining backlogged COVID-19 tests
After a technical issue affected the state’s electronic data system and lost data from July 31 to Aug. 4, the state is expected to fully restore backlogged data by the end of this week.
Drive-in comedy events at the Irvine Spectrum Center
Starting on Saturday, Levity Live will host the Improv Live Comedy Drive-In Series at the Irvine Spectrum Center. Shows will run every Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 5 and tickets start at $125 per vehicle.
UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List
Los Angeles Times, Aug. 14, 2020
UC Irvine workshop trains residents living, working in COVID-19 ‘hot spots’ to do contact tracing
Daily Pilot, Aug. 13, 2020
UC Irvine launches coronavirus statistics portal to track Orange County cases, compare other counties
People, Aug. 12, 2020
Laurie Hernandez on prioritizing her mental health after journey to 2020 Olympics was extended
The Atlantic, Aug. 13, 2020
The Atlantic Daily: What happens when the flu and the coronavirus overlap this winter?
KPBS, Aug. 13, 2020 (Audio)
Trump admits he opposes funding for postal service to block more voting by mail
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