May 8 - Updates on COVID-19

UCI UPDATES

What’s new and trending at UCI

The Weekly Anteater offers a roundup of top UCI news items and social topics, suitable for sharing on social media.

Biking in the coronavirus era

UCI Transportation is celebrating National Bike Month virtually - with online seminars, social media challenges, trivia quizzes, prizes and resources to help two-wheelers keep pedaling during social distancing.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES

‘I wasn’t quite prepared for the death rate,’ doctor says of NYC volunteer work

In this 6-minute podcast, Dr. Robert Rowe, a critical care fellow and attending physician in emergency medicine with UCI Health, talks about working seven straight 12-hour shifts in a New York City hospital, seeing severely ill COVID-19 patients, many of whom died.

A roadmap to reopening schools

Working with a team of experts, pediatrician Dan Cooper of UCI Health is figuring out when and how K-12 schools can safely reopen. “The economy cannot restart if students are not in schools,” he says.

Quarantine parenting

A UCI psychologist offers advice on daily routines, discipline and schoolwork.

UC UPDATES

Bay Area antibody test

UC Berkeley scientists will soon start an antibody study that will test residents in thousands of households in 11 Bay Area cities. The purpose is to determine how widespread SARS-CoV-2 is in the region and the progression of the infection over time.

New study quantifies the effect of delayed lockdowns

A study by professors at UC Riverside, USC and Augusta University found that delays in state lockdown orders led to an increase in total cases of 15-25% for each week late. The study is under review.

Program finds new job assignments for staff, students hit by reduced hours

UC Riverside has created a talent match program to identify reassignment opportunities for staff and student employees whose hours have been cut.

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

Did a mutation turbocharge the coronavirus? Not likely, scientists say

A preliminary report claimed the virus had evolved to become more contagious. Geneticists say the evidence isn’t there.

Additional 75,000 Americans could die from drug, alcohol misuse and suicide

In an analysis conducted by the national health group Well Being Trust, as many as 75,000 Americans could die because of drug or alcohol misuse and suicide as a result of the pandemic.

Travel from New York City seeded wave of U.S. outbreaks

Most COVID cases in America, even on the West Coast, were spread by infected people from New York, researchers say.

Jobless rate hits 14.7%, worst level since Great Depression

The U.S. economy lost 20.5 million jobs in April. The highest unemployment rate during the Depression was 24.9%.

Too many unknowns with coronavirus antibody testing, group says

The Infectious Diseases Society of America says there are too many unknowns when it comes to COVID-19 antibody tests to interpret the results. Read more here.

COVID-19 saliva test receives emergency OK

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized a COVID-19 saliva test that people can take at home and send to a lab for results. The test kit was developed by a Rutgers University laboratory.

Coronavirus plunges California into worst budget deficit in history

The state faces a $54 billion shortfall through next summer, more than triple the amount in its rainy day fund. New taxes and/or deep budget cuts may lie ahead.

USNS Mercy no longer taking patients

A Navy hospital ship that was sent to the port of Los Angeles to help deal with an expected crush of COVID-19 cases, released its last patient this week. At the direction of FEMA, Mercy is no longer receiving patients.

Bureau of Labor Statistics releases report showing hardest hit industries

This morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a new report showing the impact of the coronavirus on the U.S. economy and specific industries. So far, the hardest hit industries are hospitality (7.7 million jobs lost), business (2.1 million jobs lost), retail (2.1 million jobs lost) and health care (1.4 million jobs lost). April was also the worst month for American jobs since the Great Depression.

Broadway does Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day, Broadway stars, their children and their mothers will come together for feature sketches and performances from Broadway shows like “Moulin Rouge! The Musical!” and “Jagged Little Pill.” Check here for details.

Disneyland resumes limited, essential construction

Marking the first construction at the park since its closure due to the pandemic, Disneyland construction crews returned for limited, essential work.

Scientists in Sweden and Britain debate who took best path

Now that the first waves of infections and deaths have peaked and lockdowns are being lifted, scientists around the world have begun to skirmish over which countries have pursued the best strategies to protect their people.