May 5 - Updates on COVID-19

UCI UPDATES

Face and mask donation drive for individuals experiencing homelessness

UCI medical students will be hosting a food and mask donation drive to help support individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are seeking non-perishable foods, bottled water and any face coverings. Donations are accepted on Saturdays, May 9 and 16 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at UCI Parking Lot 83, UCI School of Medicine. For questions, please email UCIFoodandMaskDrive@gmail.com.

Partisanship and Policy Preferences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The School of Social Sciences offers the next installment in its zot series: Partisanship and Policy Preferences during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The speaker is Associate Professor of Political Science Sara Goodman and the moderator is Dean Bill Maurer. The event takes place May 8, 2020 at 10 a.m. and registration is required.

Free live stream mindful meditation sessions

Throughout the week, the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute will offer several live stream mindful meditations, focused on grounding ourselves with everyday activities, dealing with difficult emotions, and bringing compassion to ourselves and the world around us.

COVID-19: The Humanities Respond

On Thursdays through June, the School of Humanities will publish a video conversation between Dean Tyrus Miller and a UCI Humanities scholar, discussing the cultural, creative, and philosophical impact of COVID-19. The next installment takes place May 7 and features Assistant Professor of English Chris Fan discussing Apocalypse and Pandemic Literature, TV & Film in the Era of COVID-19.

2020 Commencement Ceremonies

All are invited to watch UCI’s university-wide Virtual Commencement on June 13, 2020 at 10 a.m. PDT. The program can be streamed from any location. Each school will have a reception immediately following the 10 a.m. ceremony. The link for viewing will be available on the Commencement website in early June. The campus is planning for an in-person winter commencement to take place during the 2020 winter break. Additionally, 2020 graduates can choose to participate in the 2021 in-person spring commencement if they do not participate in the special winter ceremony. Details will be shared at commencement.uci.edu as they become available.

Therapy Pet Thursday weekly at 4 p.m.

All students, staff and faculty are invited to join the Center for Student Wellness and Health Promotion each week over Zoom to see therapy dogs and cute pets. All are welcome to say hello and introduce your pet. No pets? No problem! All are welcome to join to see the animals and enjoy some lighthearted fun. Sign up once, and you will receive the new Zoom link each Thursday afternoon, before the event. For questions email Natalie D’Azzo at ndazzo@uci.edu.

CalFresh food assistance program

The FRESH Basic Needs Hub continues to offer CalFresh application assistance via Zoom. CalFresh is a federal food assistance program (formerly known as food stamps) that provides supplementary income to purchase food from grocery stores through what is called an EBT card. Students can get up to $194/month for groceries. For more information on CalFresh, please visit the FRESH Basic Needs Hub website.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES

UCI Video Podcast - Attacking the coronavirus where it replicates – safely

In this episode of the UCI Podcast Video Series, Rachel Martin, UCI professor of chemistry, discusses a project in her lab that centers on finding a way to block the ability of the coronavirus to make copies of itself once it’s inside the human body. Martin highlights that the initiative, which involves postdoctoral scholars, Ph.D. students and undergraduates working with other scientists from around the world, is unlike any other previous work in her lab, in that the researchers need to do their jobs while maintaining safe social distance from one another.

Professor Martin will also present in a virtual event tomorrow, May 6, at 9 a.m., called Developing an Antiviral for COVID-19. Registration is required.

UCI Forum Series addresses ‘COVID-19: Where We Are & What to Expect Next’

In a three-part series, the UCI Forum addresses the medical, public policy and business impacts of COVID-19. UCI experts join with business leaders and policymakers for three unique, one-hour virtual forums to discuss COVID-19 repercussions on medicine, research, public policy, business, tourism and manufacturing.

When will we have a COVID-19 vaccine?

Estimates vary from a few months to five years, but the first vaccines may be ready for widespread use in under two years, say Michael J. Buchmeier, Ph.D., and Donald N. Forthal, M.D., scientists with the UC Irvine Center for Virus Research.

Nursing faculty help develop 3-D printed face shields

When the front line staff at UCI Medical Center needed more personal protective equipment, UCI’s brightest minds got together to solve the problem quickly to produce 5,000 3D-printed face shields. It was with a big assist from two faculty from the UCI Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing that helped take the shields from talk to reality in just 17 days.

UC UPDATES

UC could reopen only one-third of its dorm rooms this fall

The University of California could reopen just one-third to one-half of dorm rooms this fall in order to maintain safe distances among students amid the coronavirus outbreak, a top UC official said during a webinar Monday.

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

108 potential COVID-19 vaccines in development

According to the World Health Organization, there are currently 108 potential coronavirus vaccines in development around the world. Eight of these potential vaccines are approved for clinical trial.

WHO says it will engage US to make remdesivir coronavirus treatment more widely available

The World Health Organization said it will speak with the U.S. government and Gilead Sciences on how antiviral drug remdesivir could be made more widely available to treat Covid-19 as data emerges of its effectiveness.

A National Open Genomics Consortium for the COVID-19 Response

The CDC launched a wide-ranging consortium – including dozens of state and federal labs, academic research centers, non-profit organizations and industry companies – to rapidly expand the use of whole genome sequencing against the novel coronavirus.

Working at home had a positive effect on productivity during the pandemic, survey says

USA Today reports 54% Americans feel they’re more productive working from home. Reasons given for increased productivity include time saved from commuting (71%), fewer distractions from coworkers (61%) and fewer meetings (39%).

Police using drones to enforce stay-at-home orders

Several U.S. law enforcement agencies have unveiled drones that broadcast announcements at parks, beaches, and homeless camps to enforce stay-at-home orders and social-distancing guidelines.

Uber drivers and riders must wear masks

Uber will soon require its drivers and its passengers to wear masks.

Whole Foods requires masks for all, provides them for shoppers

Whole Foods announced it will provide all shoppers free, disposable face masks starting this week.

Orange County officials won’t enforce business closures

Orange County officials say they will not enforce business or beach closures during this pandemic. Supervisor Don Wagner said, “We are not going to enforce either beach closures or those business closures if they don’t run afoul of the county’s guidelines. And if the governor would like to bring the CHP out or call out the National Guard, the Governor can do what he wants to do.”