September 11 - Updates on COVID-19

CAMPUS SNAPSHOT

Today, we honor those lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. Here, an American flag flies atop the new Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI.

TODAY’S CAMPUS UPDATES

Student COVID testing continues 

Beginning on Wednesday of this week and continuing through next week, student COVID testing is taking place on campus. The first day 195 students were tested, followed by 900 yesterday. The testing ramps up to 1,000 tests a day at the two testing sites: Verano Place and Plaza Verde in the first phase of testing to cover the 3,600 students currently living in UCI and ACC housing. Additional testing will take place as other students move into campus housing later this month. For more information, visit https://uci.edu/coronavirus/students/testing.php.

Return to Campus training

Based on guidance from Cal/OSHA and the California Department of Public Health, UC Irvine has developed training to prepare employees to resume on-site work activities. All employees, including those working remotely, must complete the Return-to-Campus training located in the UC Learning Center system. For employees who have already completed the training, no action is needed - you only need to take the online training once. For those who are in progress or have never taken the course, this is a reminder to log into the UCLC and complete the training.

Overview of the OVPTL and DUE: knowing where to turn for help

As an incoming UCI student, knowing where to get help is important—especially in a remote environment. However, with UCI divided into so many different departments, units, and so on, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Watch this 5-minute video overview of the Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (OVPTL) and Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) so you know where to go.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND EVENTS

Learn how this UCI student finds balance and structure

Second-year business administration major Lisa Deng joins Associate Dean Jonathan Alexander in this 10-minute video to talk about some of the things she’s been doing to find balance, establish structure, and practice mindfulness during this unprecedented time. From setting aside time for meditation to finding new ways to get organized, Lisa offers her best advice for making the most of pandemic life.

How the pandemic made UCI composer Michael Dessen’s world go zoom

Michael Dessen – composer, trombonist, bandleader and professor at UC Irvine – has been performing networked musical performances, “telematic” music, for years, creating live concerts via the internet with musicians from around the globe. He understands better than most how to work with the latency effect, and how reducing that gap can lead to better online performances. And now, suddenly, with every concert hall in the nation boarded up, that knowledge is very, very useful.

See how your classmates are thriving in a remote environment

Jonathan Alexander, Associate Dean in the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE), and Kevin Huie, OVPTL Executive Director of Student Success and Director of Student Success Initiatives (SSI), discuss how UCI’s student body can find support, build community, and redefine success in a virtual setting. In this 7-minute video, learn about one-on-one counseling sessions, programs that support first-generation, low-income, and other diverse student populations, there are many opportunities for students to connect and engage.

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 San Francisco story of resilience: Meals on Heels

The pandemic forced Oasis, a cabaret and nightclub whose drag shows were often packed, to close. Its owners had to furlough the whole staff. But then its owner had an idea: “If people couldn’t come to see drag, why not bring drag to the people?” Thus was born Meals on Heels. For about $100, a drag queen or king will deliver dinner, drinks and a curbside performance.

GENERAL COVID-19 NEWS

This section curates noteworthy coronavirus news, trends and opinions. No endorsement by UCI is implied. Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and OC Register for students, faculty and staff
  

Cal State will not return to in-person classes for Spring 2021

The Cal State University system won’t return to in-person learning in the spring 2021 semester. The system was one of the first to cancel in-person classes for the fall and is one of the first to make the decision for the spring.

Anaheim Convention Center COVID-19 test site extends contract

The COVID-19 testing super site has administered over 15,000 tests since it opened in July and will continue its no-cost testing through November 6, 2020. 

COVID-19 treatments and vaccine tracker

Over 35 companies are in various development stages to help fight the spread of COVID-19. View the therapies and vaccine tracker to find out scientific details and projected timelines.

CDC will now report infection fatality ratio by age

According to the CDC, the death rate for those with coronavirus is under 1% for everyone but people over 70 years of age. 

White House coronavirus task force urges people to get tested after Labor Day

Because some people may have relaxed social distancing precautions over Labor Day weekend, the White House coronavirus task force urged people to get tested for COVID-19.

Death toll tops 14,000 in California, but cases continue to decline

Yesterday, California officials reported that more than 14,000 residents have died of COVID-19, but that new coronavirus cases continue to decline.

Disneyland cancels annual Candlelight Ceremony due to COVID-19

Disneyland has been forced to cancel its annual Candlelight Ceremony celebrating Christmas that takes place each December. The pandemic continues to provide uncertainty for the park’s reopening.

UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List

Voice of OC, Sept. 11, 2020
How the pandemic made UCI composer Michael Dessen’s world go Zoom

The Seattle Times, Sept. 10, 2020
A COVID-19 treatment using humans’ own ‘natural killer’ cells? Seattle team launches clinical trials