May 26 - Updates on COVID-19

Humanities Gateway glowing during dusk. Photo by Ian Parker

TODAY’S CAMPUS UPDATES

Volunteers needed for commencement

Help create a memorable experience for graduating Anteaters! Graduate Stage Moments will take place June 13-17 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for Class of 2021 and Class of 2020. Grads will cross the stage at the Bren Events Center as their name is announced in the presence of their guests. This will be carried out in accordance with public health guidelines. Volunteers will assist with graduate check-in, volunteer and faculty check-in, symptom checking, line-up staffing and more. Click here to sign up.

No new campus cases*

No student residents or on-campus employees tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. For more information, visit the UCI COVID-19 dashboard.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND EVENTS

#IamUCI: Iyanna Blackburn

In an unprecedented year of completing their degrees remotely, 10,204 students will receive their bachelor’s degrees as members of UCI’s 55th graduating class. One of those graduates is Iyanna Blackburn, a double major in film & media studies and African American studies. Here is her story:

“Although coastal cities like her hometown of Long Beach have their charm, when it came time to choose a university, first-generation college student Iyanna Blackburn found UCI to be ideal: not too far away but not too close to home, with a beautiful setting and top-tier curriculum. Campus life also exposed her to ‘so many types of people, cultures, experiences and opportunities. I have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime,’ she says. One of Blackburn’s favorite memories will be her stint as a practice and public relations director for the tennis club. ‘I got to meet people, make new friends and try different things at our social events and play my favorite sport,’ she says. While pursuing a double major and being actively engaged in extracurricular activities, Blackburn found time to successfully direct, edit and produce a documentary, ‘The 2%: Navigating UCI as a Black Student.’ Her plans after graduation are to pursue a career as a producer and director in the entertainment industry. ‘I will have stories to tell forever about my time at UCI,’ she says.”

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, OC Register and Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.

Half of all US adults are now fully vaccinated against COVID

The U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program has gone from zero to 50 percent in less than six months. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Biden administration said, half of the country's adults are now fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

New USC study finds return to normal doubtful

In a new study, USC researchers quantify just how much the pandemic has permeated our lives. The research found that financial, physical and mental hardships are widespread among all communities.

Free treatment for COVID in San Diego County

There is a free treatment available in San Diego County that can significantly minimize the severity of COVID-19, and even prevent death, but not enough people are taking advantage of it, officials say.

United is giving away free flights for a year

United Airlines says people are responding in a big way to their free flights for a year contest called "Your Shot to Fly." United reports that they already received more than 220,000 vaccine card uploads since announcing the contest on Monday.

Moderna says its vaccine protects children as young as 12

Moderna said Tuesday its COVID-19 vaccine strongly protects kids as young as 12, a step that could put the shot on track to become the second option for that age group in the U.S.

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.

Galápagos tortoise found alive is from species thought extinct

The single female was discovered during a 2019 expedition to Fernandina Island. Genetic tests have now confirmed that she is part of the species Chelonoidis phantasticus, which hasn’t been seen since 1906. The giant female tortoise is estimated to be more than 100 years old.

#UCIconnected

If you have a shoutout, or if you’d like to share what you’ve been up to during the pandemic, send photos and/or words about your COVID-19 vaccination, activities, workstation, volunteering, etc., to marketing@uci.edu or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.