Oct. 4 - Pandemic lessons, unauthorized bank accounts
Section 1
Anteaters on the move by Social Science Lecture Hall. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI
Each day, a UCI expert will answer one of your questions about COVID-19, vaccinations, variants or the future of work. Submit questions via email.
Today’s question is answered by Doron Zinger, director, UCI CalTeach program:
How should we be teaching children about viruses before the next pandemic?
Lessons should be cognitively demanding as opposed to rote learning. I recommend beginning instruction by asking students, “Did delta have to happen?,” which promotes thinking about why viruses evolve, how humans currently give plentiful opportunities for viruses to mutate and what actions people can take to help. Having children investigate and make an argument would be a valuable learning opportunity.
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Community generosity highlighted in 2021 Brilliant Future annual report
Publicly launched in October 2019, Brilliant Future: The Campaign for UCI has surpassed the $1 billion mark and meaningfully engaged nearly 50,000 alumni, according to Brian T. Hervey, vice chancellor, University Advancement and Alumni Relations and president, UCI Foundation. “These achievements are a testament to the community’s strong confidence in our capacity to impact lives through world-class education, healthcare, research and public service,” Hervey writes. “Together, with the help of our supporters, we have established 160+ scholarships, fellowships and awards, ensuring that deserving students have access to a top-rate education regardless of circumstance. And, we have created 40 endowed chairs, advancing stellar teaching and research.” Read the 2021 Brilliant Future annual report to discover all the ways the campaign is making a difference at UCI and beyond.
Beware of Chime/Go2Bank solicitations for new bank accounts
UC has learned that personally identifiable information of some members of the UC community are being used to open unauthorized bank accounts. Anyone receiving an email from Chime or Go2Bank asking them to confirm a new bank account they do not recognize should not click any links in the email itself. They should forward the email to UCI’s information security team at security@uci.edu. Learn what you can do to protect yourself on UCOP’s FAQ on the Chime/Go2Bank security matter (PDF).
NIH awards over $2.5 million for research to improve young-witness interviews
With the award from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, researchers will seek to elicit from youths more accurate information about maltreatment. “We’re trying to help interviewers help kids give good evidence,” says team leader J. Zoe Klemfuss, assistant professor of psychological science.
Need help? Start with the Campus Assist List
The Campus Assist List is an online collection of campus and community resources for low-cost community services, including basic needs, medical, and local mental health and counseling providers.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
Quiz: How much do you know about the Nobel Prize?
Each October, Nobel laureates are named in physics, chemistry, physiology and medicine, literature, economics and peace. How much do you know about the Nobel Prize and the scores of University of California faculty, staff and alumni who have received this highest accolade for scientific and scholarly achievement?
Get a fan and get vaccinated, CDC says in its holiday safety tips
Anyone looking to celebrate the fall and winter holidays without spreading COVID-19 should consider a window fan or a walk-by greeting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The agency says it's safer for people from different households to get together outdoors than indoors, but if a gathering must be inside, opening windows and doors to increase ventilation is recommended.
Johnson & Johnson to seek FDA authorization of booster shot
J&J is planning to ask U.S. regulators early this week to authorize a booster shot of its coronavirus vaccine, according to officials familiar with the company’s plans. The firm is the last of the three federally authorized vaccine providers to call for extra injections, amid mounting evidence that at least older adults and others in high-risk groups need more protection. A meeting of the FDA’s expert advisory committee to discuss the J&J request is scheduled for Oct. 15.
EVENTS
Suicide Prevention Training: QPR – Question, Persuade, Refer
Wednesday, noon (sponsored by UCI Counseling Center)
Disinformation in American Elections Part I: Election Officials
Wednesday, 12:15 p.m. (sponsored by UCI Law Fair Elections and Free Speech Center)
Free GMAT Test Strategy Workshop
Wednesday, 6 p.m. (sponsored by Division of Continuing Education)
Graduate Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series presents Eloy Ortiz Oakley on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Wednesday, 6 p.m. (sponsored by UCI Graduate Division)
Visit today.uci.edu to see and submit event listings. Events of general interest will be shared in UCI Digest two days before they occur.
UCI IN THE NEWS
Vaccinated or not, everyone is likely to get COVID-19 at some point, many experts say
The Orange County Register, Oct. 3
Cited: Andrew Noymer, associate professor, Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention
CDC issues urgent health advisory strongly recommending pregnant people get vaccinated against COVID
KTLA, Oct. 1 (video)
Cited: Dr. Jennifer Jolley, associate professor of maternal and fetal medicine
Coastal erosion in San Clemente threatens railroad tracks, pricey homes
Los Angeles Times, Oct. 2
Cited: Brett Sanders, professor of civil and environmental engineering, and urban planning and public policy
#UCICONNECTED
Students learn about the FRESH Basic Student Needs hub after taking up the challenge to #findDeanRameen [Talesh, dean of students and assistant vice chancellor, Student Life & Leadership] on Sept. 22. Open to all undergrads and graduate students, FRESH promotes equitable access to basic needs. Instagram photo courtesy of Student Affairs.
UCI Landmark photo contest deadline extended to Thursday
Tuesday was the original last day for Anteater students, faculty, staff and alumni to enter the UCI Landmark photo contest, but the deadline has been extended to Thursday because Facebook and Instagram were down. To enter for a chance to win a gift card to @thehillatuci and a spot on the UCI Instagram feed, post your pics on social media from any of the Top 10 campus landmarks listed below with #UCIPride or submit via email. The landmark sites are:
- Water Tower (BC Anteater/UCI Athletics)
- Student Center
- Infinity Fountain
- Bronze Anteater (Bren Center)
- Esports Arena
- Aldrich Park
- Maya Lin Water Table
- Langson Library
- Science Library
- Jao Sculpture garden
#UCIconnected spotlights student, alumni, faculty and staff photos, essays, shoutouts, hobbies, artwork, unusual office decorations, activities and more. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.
COVID-19 NOTIFICATION AND RESOURCES
5 new campus cases
One employee and four students tested positive for COVID-19 from Friday through Sunday. For more information, visit the UCI COVID-19 dashboard.
Remember to upload your vaccine record
Potential workplace exposure
UCI provides this notification of a potential workplace COVID-19 exposure. Employees and subcontractors who were in these locations on the dates listed may have been exposed to the coronavirus. You may be entitled to various benefits under applicable federal and state laws and University-specific policies and agreements. The full notification is available on the UCI Forward site. If you have been identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 case, the UCI Contact Tracing Program will contact you and provide additional direction.
For COVID-19 questions
UCI Forward - information on campus status and operational updates
UCI Health COVID-19 Updates - important information related to UCI Health
UCI Coronavirus Response Center - available at covid19@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-9918
Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services - assistance with vaccines and vaccine uploads; available at contacttracing@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-2300
Program in Public Health chatline - answers to questions about COVID-19
For questions specific to your personal health situation, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider.