April 24 - Updates on COVID-19

UCI UPDATES

Career Pathways launches two new career search initiatives

To support students with their career search needs during this unusual time, the Division of Career Pathways (DCP) is launching two special initiatives for students:

Ask a Counselor Live (Instagram) – Wednesdays from 3 - 3:30 p.m., the Career Pathways team is available on Instagram Live to answer student questions about career planning, gap year options, exploring graduate school and more. Upcoming sessions include “Preparing for your first job” (April 29) and “Gap Year Options” (May 13).

Graduating Senior Series – The Division of Career Pathways (DCP) is supporting students – especially our graduating seniors – with navigating a job search during this unusual time. The Graduating Senior Series prepares students to launch a job search in which they can showcase themselves in their job application materials, effective introductions, and interviews. Featured in the series is the Job Search Strategies podcast on May 4.

UCI Big Read

The Office of Inclusive Excellence, UCI Libraries, and Division of Student Affairs invite all UCI students, faculty and staff to participate in the UCI Great Big Read, a project aimed at fostering engagement and social solidarity during a time when practicing physical distancing. The books will focus on themes of inclusion and connection as ways to enhance openness to diverse perspectives. As a first step, UCI members are asked to vote on a reading list for the UCI Great Big Read by Wednesday, May 6.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES

Soap vs. hand sanitizer

In a pinch, hand sanitizer can disinfect if it’s at least 60% alcohol. But hands down, soap and water is the most effective way to remove chemicals and all kinds of germs, including the novel coronavirus, infectious disease experts say.

UCI Health’s Dr. Susan Huang speaks at City of Irvine Community Update

The City of Irvine featured UCI’s Dr. Susan S. Huang, Medical Director of Epidemiology and Infection at UC Irvine Health, in one of their recent daily Community Updates hosted by Mayor Christina Shea to share the latest information related to COVID-19.

UC UPDATES

UC’s online high school enrollment doubles

UC Scout was launched in 2012 to deliver online instruction for the full range of courses – known as A-G requirements – required for admission to UC and the California State University system. UC Scout daily enrollment is now up more than double the same period last year.

UC Global Health Day on May 2

The University of California is hosting a free virtual conference on Saturday, May 2, which will include a two-hour Zoom session addressing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic from multiple global health perspectives. This year’s conference marks the 10th anniversary of the UC Global Health Institute and will feature talks related to COVID-19 that highlight the One Health perspective, gender and socioeconomic disparities, and panelists from Africa, India, and South America. Visit the UC Global Health Day 2020 virtual conference page for more information or questions, email ucghi@globalhealth.ucsf.edu.

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

Cutting college sports programs is a possibility amid economic downturn

A proposal to allow NCAA Division I athletic departments to jettison sports teams as part of cost-saving measures amid the novel coronavirus outbreak has sparked widespread concern among coaches and athletics officials touting less drastic alternatives. The plan was outlined in a letter sent this month by the Group of Five conference commissioners to NCAA President Mark Emmert seeking economic relief from what it described as “the direst financial crisis for higher education since at least the Great Depression.”

Walmart implementing one-way aisles for social distancing

Walmart has updated its response to the coronavirus pandemic by creating one-way aisles at some stores to encourage social distancing.

Health and Human Services launches telehealth resource

HHS launched Telehealth.hhs.gov. The site is a central source of information on telehealth resources and tools for patients and providers.

CARES Act provides reimbursement for healthcare providers

President Trump has signed the bipartisan CARES Act legislation, which provides reimbursement (at Medicare rates) for healthcare providers who have treated uninsured COVID-19 patients. Healthcare providers can sign up for reimbursement at this website.

Stay-at-home orders are not a license to speed

Caltrans, California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) announced an effort to urge drivers in the state to slow down given a recent 87% increase in citations for speeding in excess of 100 mph that coincides with decreased traffic volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

90-day relief for student loan payments

More than 1.1 million Californians with student loan debt will now be eligible for three months’ relief. This 90-day forbearance means student borrowers may stop repaying their loans without facing penalties such as late fees or fines, debt collection lawsuits, or negative impacts to their credit ratings.

CA to train 10,000 contract tracers

Governor Newsom said that the state is planning to train up to 10,000 contact tracers amid the coronavirus pandemic. Expanding contact tracing and testing is one of six indicators Newsom said would drive the state’s decision to gradually modify portions of the stay-at-home order.

John Wayne Airport traffic down 63%

New impacts of coronavirus on Orange County’s airport have begun to emerge, with John Wayne Airport reporting a 63% drop in passengers last month to 338,000.

A Drug that Fights COVID-19 Weeks Away

The World Health Organization expects to know what drugs will work to fight COVID-19 in the next “weeks to months.” Dr. Maria Van Kerhove, the technical lead for the WHO’s coronavirus response, shared that the organization is closely monitoring drug trials.

States Begin to Ease Coronavirus Restrictions

Georgia and Alaska eased social distancing measures today that allow some businesses to reopen. The relaxation of social distancing goes against warnings from health experts of a potential new surge of coronavirus infections.

$484 billion interim coronavirus relief bill approved

President Trump approved a $484 billion interim coronavirus relief bill. This bill adds another $310 billion to the small-business Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and provide billions in aid to hospitals and for testing.

Sunlight may kill the coronavirus

During Thursday’s White House coronavirus task force briefing, President Trump pointed to research from the Department of Homeland Security that found sunlight and disinfectants can kill the coronavirus on surfaces in as little as 30 seconds. President Trump suggested that disinfectants may be injected into people. Makers of Lysol and Dettol released statements to warn against this.