November 25 - Updates on COVID-19
Section 1
TODAY’S CAMPUS UPDATES
Get your fan cutout to root on the Anteaters at the Bren
This season, UC Irvine Athletics is offering fans an opportunity to support the Anteaters at the Bren Events Center even if they cannot physically be at the game. You can get a fan cutout of yourself, your family members and your favorite pet placed in open seat areas around the Bren Events Center. All cutout orders must be placed by Monday, November 30th in order to be in the arena for the start of basketball conference play.
New sequestration requirement for all undergraduate students in housing
We’ve done a good job of controlling the spread within our community – our positive cases are generally lower than most college campuses – but we have entered a new chapter in the fight against the virus. Effective today, Nov. 25, undergraduate students living on campus will be sequestered until the end of the fall quarter, Dec. 18. There are some exemptions, including for work. Please find the full updated message on the new sequestration requirement.
Anteater Express shuttle suspends service
To promote compliance with campus directives, Anteater Express is suspending service through the remainder of Fall Quarter 2020. The last day of Fall 2020 service is today, Nov. 25.
New cases
Three cases of COVID-19 on campus (two students, one employee) were reported yesterday. Visit the UCI dashboard for more information.
UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND EVENTS
UCI, UCLA and UC Berkeley team up to organize esports holiday tournament
The esports programs at UCI, UCLA and UC Berkeley are partnering to pilot a UC Esports Initiative that will kick off with a holiday tournament for all nine UC undergraduate campuses. Organizers planned the inaugural competition as a way to elevate esports across the UC system and boost student engagement at a time when instruction is mostly remote.
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.
CDC finalizing recommendation to shorten COVID quarantines
CDC officials are finalizing recommendations for a new quarantine period that would likely be between seven and 10 days and include a test to ensure a person is negative for COVID-19.
A glimmer of hope: Global flu infections hit record lows amid pandemic
Public health officials and experts watching the dark cloud of the coronavirus pandemic have picked out the tiniest of silver linings: This year’s influenza transmission appears to be one of the lowest in recorded history.
Where the teens are hanging out in quarantine
Teens, whose opportunities for adult-free socializing were already limited by school, parents and mall cops, have adapted better than most. Many of them already orchestrated their social lives online, making quarantine an easier transition.
California begins framing vaccine distribution
California has started building a framework for how it’ll obtain and distribute COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccines would be distributed in phases with the first group to receive being healthcare workers, people in assisted living and nursing facilities and first responders.
Rite Aid expands testing to minors
Rite Aid has updated its COVID-19 testing program through an ongoing partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In a statement, a company spokesperson says that “effective immediately, no-charge testing at Rite Aid’s existing testing sites will be expanded to individuals 13-years-old and older – regardless of whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic.”
Travelers into LA must sign form acknowledging quarantine
Out-of-state travelers arriving in Los Angeles by air or train must sign a form acknowledging California’s 14-day quarantine advisory.
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.
Dancing doctor spreads joy and positivity for all
Dr. Jason Campbell might be a resident in anesthesiology, but he is also encouraging teens to follow their passion through popular TikTok dances.
#UCIconnected
What have you been up to during the pandemic? Send photos and/or words about your activities, workstation, volunteering or academic adventures to marketing@uci.edu or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.
Virginia Trimble, professor of physics & astronomy and the oldest member of the department still on full active duty at 77, shared how she has prioritized being more mindful while giving back.
“I do many things as usual, letters of recommendation for students applying to graduate school, preparing talks for January conferences and materials for W’21 classes. And I have finally settled on what is for me the right consumption/donation balance, sending each month to charities like Doctors without Borders and Feeding America the same amount I have spent on food.”
From the editors:
We’ll be off tomorrow and Friday for the holiday. We wanted to say how grateful we are for you, our readers, for opening this each day, and for the feedback you share. It’s been a challenging year for all of us. We wish you and your loved ones a safe and restful weekend. See you on Monday.