April 10 - Updates on COVID-19

CAMPUS UPDATES

School of Biological Sciences Hosts Virtual Earth Day

April 22nd is the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day global event. For the second year, BioSci is participating. Like all other 2020 Earth Day events, it will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 virus. This year’s Earth Day theme is Climate Change.

The goal is to demonstrate what biological scientists can do, and the impact we have on people and the planet. We also want to show that, from sustainability to disease to energy, some of the most innovative and effective solutions are being created through biology. The School encourages students, staff and faculty to record a short selfie-video to include on BioSci’s Earth Day event website, launching later next week.

Claire Trevor Alumni Hosts Virtual Voiceover Workshop for all Arts Students and Alumni

The Claire Trevor School of the Arts alumni group, Anteaters in the Arts, is hosting a “Voiceover Virtual Workshop” on Saturday, April 18, 2020, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PST via Zoom. The event is open to all arts alumni and current arts students. Voice actress and UCI alumna Xanthe Huynh ’10 (Fire Emblem, Persona 5, Pokemon) is bringing her voiceover industry experience to her alma mater through the Anteaters in the Arts network. Her special online presentation includes Huynh’s video game acting workshop, audition tips, and a guide to setting up a home studio. This event is free, but registration is required. Upon registration, Zoom information will be sent via registration confirmation email. The workshop will be archived and posted to Anteaters in the Arts’ Facebook after the event.

School of Biological Sciences Creates BioSci Remote Site during COVID-19

The UCI BioSci Remote site is designed for students, staff and faculty to navigate the new digital environment, and offers resources, policies, and news during COVID-19.

Graduate Division Announces 2020 Translation Science Research Day Postponed

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 concerns, the ICTS will postpone Translational Science Research Day that was scheduled for June 2, 2020. At this time, poster and oral presentation submissions are not being accepted. A new date has not been determined, but will remain in close contact as we have more information about this.

CAMPUS RESOURCES

Division of Continuing Education Launches New Online Lecture Series

UCI’s Division of Continuing Education has launched a new free webinar series that will address different topics related to our new physically distanced lives. These will be held every Tuesday in April beginning next Tuesday.

Collaboration in a Quarantine: Working together even when you’re all alone
April 14, 2020
11 a.m. - Noon
Learn about tools to help your team collaborate more effectively and enhance team relationships, the most common causes of team conflict and how to prevent them, and how to increase productivity by tapping into your team’s core motivations and values.

Bringing your Whole Self to (Remote) Work
April 21, 2020
11 a.m. - Noon
Authenticity in the workplace is more than being real. It is revealing who you really are by ditching the act, becoming vulnerable, and learning how to relate to others on a human level.

Strategic Planning in a VUCA Business Environment
April 28, 2020
11 a.m. - Noon
Today’s environment is reshaping the business world. You will be introduced to a strategic planning framework and a set of supporting collaborative practices that management teams, boards, and other stakeholders may utilize for strategic planning in the current VUCA business landscape (volatile, uncertain, chaotic, and ambiguous).

Graduate Division Encourages Students to Register for DTEI Spring 2020 Workshops

The Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation (DTEI) is offering workshops throughout the Spring quarter via Zoom. Topics for Spring quarter include 1) creating and using teaching activities for more interactive learning and 2) writing an effective diversity statement. Also offered is the popular Course Design Certification Program. There also will be a remote instruction check-in session for TAs. Since these workshops will be held remotely, various instructional technology tools will be showcased to facilitate remote instruction. Registration is required. To find out more about how these can count towards the Certificate in Teaching Excellence.

UCIMC UPDATES

Virtual Patient Family Communication

The UCI Health Information Services and Patient Experience Departments are configuring 15 iPads to permit patients and families to communicate virtually. Ten iPhones are currently available for patient-family virtual visits. The Patient Experience Team will help facilitate this process by checking these iPads/iPhones out to nurse managers on an as-needed basis. The iPads/iPhones have durable protective covers that will protect them and allow for proper cleaning.

SSIHI Well-Being Initiative

The Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute is launching a well-being initiative to provide support services for UCI caregivers and coworkers. Beginning weekly on April 13, the following services are offered to staff and providers free of charge:

Mindfulness &s meditation
Guided Acupressure (no contact)
Guided massage (no contact)
Yoga (no contact)
Stress management strategies

View the schedule of offerings. To sign up, please email Dina Pagano at dpagano@hs.uci.edu.

Hotel Accommodations for Frontline Staff

We have partnered with local hotels to provide a safe resting place for our frontline staff. Please fill out this form to determine whether you meet the criteria to receive this benefit. Discounts on hotels in the area are also available for those that do not meet the criteria and would like to book on their own.

Stop at Nothing Campaign Commercial

Last year, UCI Health launched its Stop at Nothing Campaign. Last month, UCI Health launched its first Stop at Nothing TV commercial. The campaign highlights the critical role UCI Health plays in improving health and well-being of patients.

UC UPDATES

Policy on Protection of Human Subjects in Research

The Office of the President has invited comments on proposed revisions to the Presidential Policy on Protection of Human Subjects in Research. This policy describes the responsibilities of the University, its campuses and researchers, in protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects who participate in research at UC. If you have any questions or if you wish to provide comments on the proposed revisions, please send an email to ucipolicy@uci.edu no later than May 29, 2020.

COVID-19 Information for UC Employees

The UC Office of the President has prepared information and recommendations to assist academic leaders, managers, and supervisors in addressing concerns related to COVID-19. The guidance applies to all UC locations, including campuses, UC health systems, Agriculture & Natural Resources, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

UC Alumni Career Network: Professional presence in a (suddenly) remote world

The UC Alumni Career Network recently held a special presentation, “Professional presence in a (suddenly) remote world,” filled with advice on how to navigate this unfamiliar territory to cultivate a remote professional presence and lead effective virtual meetings.

UC’s community stands strong

The coronavirus outbreak has brought challenges to all of our lives, but UC employees systemwide are banding together in solidarity, giving back within their locations and their communities. Here are some stories of how UC’s community is coming together to make a difference during this challenging time.

Recipes from Throughout the UC System

Many ideas for healthy, delicious meals can be found throughout UC locations. Mix up your routine by trying one of these UC recipes from your colleagues statewide.

COMMUNITY UPDATES AND NEWS

DeVos Starts Process to Distribute Stimulus Money for Higher Ed

Education Sec. Betsy DeVos said she was moving to “immediately distribute” the $6 billion in coronavirus economic stimulus money that has been earmarked for emergency financial aid grants to college students. The funding is the first tranche of the nearly $31 billion of overall education aid that was included as part of last month’s stimulus package. The bill makes available aid for college students for things like technology, course materials, food, shelter, and health care.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Suspend Rules to Boost Frontline Medical Staff

CMS announced that they have temporarily suspended a number of rules so that hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities can boost their frontline medical staff. The changes affect doctors, nurses, and other clinicians nationwide, and focus on reducing supervision and certification requirements so that practitioners can be hired quickly and “perform work to the fullest extent of their licenses.”

NIH clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine, a potential therapy for COVID-19, begins

NIH has started a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of adults hospitalized with COVID-19. The first participants are now enrolled in Tennessee.

World Health Organization Offers Guidance for Religious Celebrations During COVID-19

As millions of Christians, Jews and Muslims celebrate Easter, Passover and Ramadan, WHO has released guidance for religious leaders and faith-based communities in the context of COVID-19.

Airline Tracker During COVID-19

Forbes is keeping a running list of all major international airline COVID-19-related change and cancellation policies.

New Report Suggests COVID-19 will not Dissipate in Summer

Members of a National Academies of Sciences committee issued a report to the White House stating that they do not anticipate for COVID-19 to dissipate with the onset of warmer weather.

Stimulus Checks on the Way

The first round of stimulus checks will be distributed starting today. The next wave of checks is expected to be delivered the week of April 20th.

CDC Offers Guidance for Essential Workers to Return to Work After Exposure

The CDC now advises that essential workers who may have been in close contact with a COVID-19 case, may return to work if they are asymptomatic and adhere to these precautions.

US Federal Government to Buy $2 Billion Worth of Ventilators

The US Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to buy $2 billion worth of ventilators for its strategic national stockpile and distribute to states accordingly. This deal is meant “to ensure we never have a shortage of ventilators.”

Orange County COVID-19 Hotline Hours to Change

Effective this Saturday, April 11, the Orange County COVID-19 Public Information Hotline and Health Referral Line will take calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The number is: 1 (833) 426-6411.

Antibody Tests Soon Available in the US

The Director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says antibody tests will be available in the US “within a period of a week or so.” These tests will show who has already been infected with the coronavirus.

Hotels for Frontline Healthcare Workers

Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new program that provides doctors, nurses and other critical frontline workers with access to no-cost or low-cost hotel rooms. This allows workers in direct contact with COVID-19 patients to avoid potentially spreading the virus to their families once they leave their shift.

Additional Pay for Californians Receiving Unemployment Benefits

Starting this Sunday, California workers who are receiving unemployment benefits will start to receive an extra $600 on top of their weekly amount, as part of a new Pandemic Additional Compensation (PAC) initiated by the CARES Act.

Nation Turns Blue in Tribute to Frontline Workers

As part of the #LightItBlue initiative, sports venues, entertainment hubs and national landmarks across the nation were illuminated in blue last night to honor workers on the frontlines fighting the global coronavirus pandemic. Some local places that turned blue were the Honda Center, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center.

Surfing Restrictions at Newport Beach

Newport Beach officials announced that starting today, they would be limiting surfing with any flotation devices during 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is in response to people who have crowded the ocean recently. Fencing will also be put up along the sand to discourage people from watching the waves and surfers.