August 18 - Updates on COVID-19
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CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
Keeping hydrated. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI.
TODAY’S CAMPUS UPDATES
Positive cases
There have been no new positive cases for employees for six days. Three previously positive co-workers have returned to work. For a cumulative case count, visit www.uci.edu/coronavirus.
UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND EVENTS
Graduate Division Town Hall
The Graduate Division offers a monthly town hall series featuring a panel with representatives from across campus departments. Watch the latest video and receive updates on research, housing, campus logistics for cleaning, student health, student affairs resources and an update from public affairs.
Public Health Lunchtime Lecture Series - Episode 6
The Program in Public Health continues with its 30-minute lunchtime lecture series in the next installment featuring Dr. Cynthia Lakon, Interim Chair, Department of Health, Society, and Behavior; Associate Professor, Program in Public Health. The event is called “Socio-Spatial Health Disparities in COVID-19 Transmission Among Skilled Nursing Facilities in California” and takes place August 20th from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is required.
A Midsummer Night’s Zoom
By examining the human condition through the ubiquitous themes of forbidden love, heartbreak, social conventions and parental approval, to name a few, the relevance and appeal of Shakespeare plays are timeless. But are they ready for Zoom? Two UCI faculty members believe they are. Through a creative collaboration, Eli Simon, Chancellor’s Professor of drama and artistic director of the New Swan Shakespeare Festival, and Julia Lupton, professor of English, are reimagining and re-envisioning one of the Bard’s most enduring and beloved works, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” for live streaming and community interaction.
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.
A New Orleans church is enforcing social distancing guidelines with humorous signs referencing scripture
Ray Cannata, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New Orleans, printed and taped hundreds of signs encouraging churchgoers to sit apart by referencing Bible scriptures with a funny twist. “Jesus sat the 500 down in rows. But not this one,” reads one sign.
It’s OK to feel OK right now
This may seem a little counterintuitive, but Char Adams wrote for The New York Times’s Smarter Living section about an idea that feels quietly revolutionary: It’s actually OK to feel OK, in light of these turbulent times, in this current moment, with all that’s going on.
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.
Parent tips for your college freshman living at home with you
For many students this fall, “college” will be their childhood bedroom or family dining room. Here’s how parents can help make the experience easier for everyone.
One week into classes, UNC-Chapel Hill going online amid COVID-19 outbreaks
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill yesterday became the first major college to pivot to online classes after reopening in person. The reversal took one week. Since the university started courses in person Aug. 10, it has reported at least four clusters of outbreaks of COVID-19 in student living spaces. Undergraduate courses will go remote Wednesday, and the university said it will reduce the density in its dorms.
L.A. County issues strict rules for colleges reopening during pandemic
As colleges begin their fall semesters, those in Los Angeles County finally received long-awaited public health rules about reopening plans — and they’re more stringent than state guidance: virtually no in-person classes are allowed, and on-campus housing will be extremely limited due to coronavirus concerns. The Los Angeles County Public Health rules supersede state guidelines and are tougher than those of many other counties.
SalivaDirect tests could be available in weeks
SalivaDirect, a test that does not require specialized supplies and can deliver results in under three hours, could be available to the public in a matter of weeks. The tests were originally developed in partnership with the NBA.
Coronavirus is third leading cause of death in the United States
According to the CDC, COVID-19 is now the third-leading cause of death in the US, trailing behind heart disease and cancer.
Fauci concerned about long-term effects of COVID-19 on young people
Dr. Anthony Fauci has said he has concerns about the residual symptoms and potential, unknown long-term effects of COVID-19--especially on the younger people who get the virus and don’t end up in the hospital.
COVID-19 cases jumped nearly 80% in nursing homes
The US saw a nearly 80% jump earlier this summer in COVID-19 cases in nursing homes. Residents in long-term care facilities account for less than 1% of the US population, but more than 40% of COVID-19 deaths.
OC trending toward an exit of state’s watchlist
Orange County remains on the watch list, but there are positive signs that local rates of new cases and what percentage of the tests taken are positive – two measures that have kept Orange County above state limits – are trending toward meeting public health goals.
UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List
Nature, Aug. 17, 2020
Millions of students are returning to US universities in a vast unplanned pandemic experiment
Orange Coast, Aug. 17, 2020
Philosophy professor looks at the bright side of quarantine
Spectrum News1, Aug. 17, 2020 (Video)
“Promotores” help Latinos in OC with COVID-19 testing, education, and resources
Medium, Aug. 17, 2020
The pandemic is messing with your memories
Los Angeles Business Journal, Aug. 17, 2020
How LA’s sports franchises are keeping their eyes on the ball despite COVID-19
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