April 16 - Updates on COVID-19

UCI UPDATES

Public safety agencies honor staff at UCI Medical Center with noon procession

Dozens of UCI Medical Center workers were curbside outside the entrance of UC Irvine Douglas Hospital at noon Tuesday, April 14, to watch a procession of first responders from several Orange County agencies slowly roll by – lights flashing and sirens blaring – to salute front-line healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. While others inside the hospital watched through room windows and from interior walkways, police officers, firefighters and EMTs – many with placards of appreciation affixed to their vehicles – waved and shouted out words of thanks. The nurses, doctors and other hospital staff members outside waved back, their smiles apparent behind the masks covering their noses and mouths.

UCI 55th Annual Commencement

The graduating class of 2020 received an invitation to participate in UCI’s 55th annual commencement. This year will be a virtual commencement program that all can watch from any location on June 13, 2020 at 10 a.m. PDT. Participating graduates are required to register. A winter commencement program will be held during Winter Break 2020. That is planned to be an in-person commencement ceremony held in the Bren Events Center (pending public health). Graduates who participate in the Virtual Commencement can also participate in the Winter Commencement program. For more information and updates, please visit the commencement website.

Call for Proposals on Coronavirus and Inclusivity

UCI’s Office of Inclusive Excellence, under its Confronting Extremism initiative, has issued a call for proposals to promote understanding about equity in the age of COVID-19. In this episode of the UCI Podcast, Douglas Haynes, vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion, talks about the call for proposals.

FRESH Basic Needs Hub “NEW” Temporary Pantry Procedure

Due to limited food availability, the UCI FRESH Basic Needs Hub student food pantry had to make some temporary changes and implement limits on food available. The new hours of operation to pick up a FRESH Pantry Food Bag will be on odd weeks (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) Thursdays 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and the sign up link will be available on every Tuesday of the week at 3 p.m. on the website. Additionally, the FRESH Basic Needs Hub must strictly enforce its once-per-week visit limit at this time. The phone number for the Basic Needs Hub is (949) 473-2806 and the email address is fresh@uci.edu.

UCI Office of the Campus Social Worker

The Office of the Campus Social Worker supports UCI students during situations and crises that may be impacting their personal and academic well-being, through short-term resource referral and long-term case management. Referrals can be made by UCI faculty or staff only. Generally, students may not self-refer. Campus Social Worker services are meant to complement and support current campus services offered to students.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES

Beating the Quarantine 15

Welcome to the “quarantine 15,” what some people have dubbed the weight gain likely to result from weeks of stress and self-isolation due to the novel coronavirus. It’s akin to the 15 pounds college freshmen are said to pack on during their first semester away from home. The temptation to overeat can be difficult to conquer when people are spending most of their time in the house to avoid catching or spreading COVID-19. UCI Health offers some tips to beat the ‘Quarantine 15.’

Kids, exercise and COVID-19

Soccer clubs, pickup basketball games, physical education classes and dance studios – these and so many other venues for children and teenagers get exercise are now off limits to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Yet physical activity is still important for their health, and young children have loads of energy they are itching to release. Fortunately, even without organized activities, parents can do plenty to get their housebound children moving.

UCI team aims to determine best do-it-yourself protective coverings

Medical masks can help stop droplets. But with masks in such short supply that people are sewing their own, and with a raft of do-it-yourself mask-making videos emerging online, a team of UCI researchers assembled to figure out how to make masks that are safe to use and that anyone can craft at home. They’ve already discovered that “things like bandanas – a common item people might use as a mask – are only effective at stopping the kinds of large droplets emitted when someone sneezes.”

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

Doctors Find Coronavirus Damages Kidneys and Heart, too

Evidence shows that COVID-19 not only detrimentally affects respiratory organs, but also results in “heart inflammation, acute kidney disease, neurological malfunction, blood clots, intestinal damage and liver problems.”

CA to Provide Relief for Undocumented Immigrants

Governor Newsom has announced new initiatives to aid workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Included are an expansion of the Employment Development Department and providing relief assistance for undocumented immigrants.

White House Announces Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups

President Trump has announced the formation of 17 Economic Revival Industry Groups composed of industry leaders. These groups will help map a way to reopen the American economy.

Pacific Symphony Offers Free Digital Content

Pacific Symphony announced the launch of a new online initiative called Pacific Symphony @ Home that curates free digital content to provide audiences with a musical and emotional connection through the current period of uncertainty.

$350 Billion Emergency Funds for Small Businesses Tapped Out

This morning, the Small Business Association officially ran out of funds for the Paycheck Protection Program. The Small Business Association is no longer accepting new applications.

FDA Wants Blood Plasma Donations from Those Recovered From COVID-19

The US Food and Drug Administration today put out a call for those that have recovered from coronavirus to donate blood plasma, which could potentially help patients fight the disease. The FDA also launched a webpage that provides additional information for those interested.

Officials Consider Canceling OC Fair

This month, OC Fair board members will meet to discuss the cancelation of the annual event, which was slated to open July 17 and continue until Aug. 16.

Another 5.2 Million Americans File for Unemployment

According to new federal data, last week saw an additional 5.2 million Americans file for unemployment benefits. More than 22 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits in a month.

California Reports Record of More than 100 Coronavirus Deaths in One Day

Yesterday, California reported a grim record of more than 100 coronavirus deaths. As of last night, 889 deaths were recorded, including the 101 deaths from yesterday.