March 31 - Updates on COVID-19

CAMPUS RESOURCES

Library Virtual Resources

During COVID-19, the newly redesigned UCI Libraries website makes connecting from off-campus easy. The redesigned website includes:

Quick links to how to return or renew items, connecting to the Libraries remotely, and streaming media.
Connect with library employees working remotely to help you.
Tips for your research.

For any questions or comments, please submit them via this webform.

Update on Adobe

Adobe has provided temporary at-home access for students and faculty, to continue to work remotely. This special license is active through May 31. OIT has posted instructions for accessing and installing Adobe Creative Cloud.

Campus Recreation offers “Anteaters at Home” Virtual Wellness Programs

As part of the UCI HR Wellness Program, Campus Recreation has partnered to offer many virtual wellness programs this Spring. Explore the UCI Campus Recreation website for Spring 2020 ‘Anteaters at Home’ online programs and offerings, including live stream group exercise classes, on-demand workout videos, recipes, and eSports.

School of Humanities Offers Social Distancing Playlist

To keep our minds sharp and spirits up during the mandatory “stay at home” order, the School of Humanities has compiled a list of podcasts created by UCI School of Humanities faculty, students and alumni. From historical perspectives on reality TV to interviews with Muslim movers and shakers, there’s a podcast for everyone.

UC Updates

Subscribe to COVID-19 Updates from UC

The University of California posts the latest breaking news developments on COVID-19 across the University of California system on its website. Sign up for alerts to receive the latest updates to your inbox. Executive Vice President of UC Health Dr. Carrie Byington provides regular updates and links to important and interesting articles on COVID-19, University of California, and health systems in general on Twitter @carrie_byington.

Spring Semester for the UC Field Program is Cancelled

The spring 2020 offering of the systemwide field program, California Ecology & Conservation (CEC), has been canceled. CEC is a one-of-a-kind innovative field research program that brings undergraduates from all nine UC campuses together to visit Natural Reserve System (NRS) reserves for seven continuous weeks, with a curriculum that teaches about scientific inquiry, the scientific method, and general principles of ecology and conservation. However, bringing students together at field stations at this time puts students, instructors, and field station staff at risk of exposure to COVID-19. During the program, the group functions as a close-knit community making transmission of the virus among the group difficult to avoid.

COMMUNITY UPDATES AND NEWS

OC Call Center for Business & Economic Recovery

Effective March 30, Orange County Community Services has implemented a call center to meet the needs of businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Economic & Business Recovery Call Center will offer information and resources to help Orange County businesses navigate the current economic climate. These resources will support businesses with challenges such as lay-off aversion, loans, utility reduction programs, and community resources mapping. Businesses can call the Economic & Business Recovery Call Center at (714) 480-6500 during hours of operation Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bilingual call center operators will be available to assist and assess situations, and offer resources tailored to meet individual business needs. Translation for the call center will be available in over 240 languages.

FEMA Task Force Leads Effort to Secure Needed Supplies and Equipment

FEMA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service created a Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force, one of eight COVID-19 focused task forces under the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC). This task force is taking a whole-of-America approach to address limited supply of critical protective and life-saving equipment. The task force’s primary effort is the sourcing of personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and other critical resources requested by states, tribes and territories. By using the structure of FEMA’s NRCC, the task force is finding and executing solutions to meet urgent demand and enable the U.S. Government to surge support to COVID-19 “hot spots” as they arise.

California Health Corps

Gavin Newsom issued an urgent call for healthcare workers to join the California Health Corps to help care for COVID-19 patients. This asks recently retired providers, those currently working toward getting their medical license in California, and students enrolled in medical or nursing schools to apply. The executive order expands the services medical professionals can perform in their jobs.

COVID-19 Cases in the Orange County Jail

An inmate at the Orange County Jail died this morning in what authorities say could be linked to COVID-19. So far, at least five inmates have tested positive and more than 100 cellmates have been exposed. An Irvine civil rights attorney is seeking a federal court order to virtually shut down the Orange County jail system due to the threat of COVID-19.

Tributes to the UCI Community

*We are heartbroken to add this new section to the COVID-19 Latest Updates email to pay tribute to members of the UCI community who have passed on because of COVID-19. Our thoughts go out to the families and friends of these individuals.

William Helmreich, a sociologist and author who is known for walking nearly every block of New York City, has passed away from complications of COVID-19. He is the father of Jeffrey Helmreich, an assistant professor of philosophy and law.

UCI alumnus Dr. James T. Goodrich, a New York neurosurgeon who separated conjoined twins, has passed away from complications of COVID-19.

“UCI mourns the passing of a distinguished alumnus and generous supporter,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “Dr. Goodrich was a pioneering pediatric neurosurgeon who believed strongly in passing on his knowledge and helping others achieve their dreams.”