May 14 - Updates on COVID-19

UCI UPDATES

Thunderbirds to fly over UCI Medical Center as part of U.S. tour saluting frontline workers

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds’, aerial show over Southern California will cover 26 medical centers from Los Angeles to San Diego. The Thunderbirds will fly over UCI Medical Center at 1:37 p.m. Friday, May 15. The flyover will involve six F-16C/D Fighting Falcons.

UCI COVID-19 VIRTUAL EVENTS

Dean’s Suite Virtual Series

Join Paul Merage School of Business Dean Eric Spangenberg in the Dean’s Suite Virtual Series this today, May 14 from 6 to 7 p.m. as he and Bay Area alumni ambassador Theresa Wang, ’14 have a conversation with James Bennan, Chief Operating Officer, Adult Services, UCSF Medical Center, Pat Salber, Editor-in-Chief, The Doctor Weighs In and Prakash Gupta, Chief Research Officer, Turning. The panel will discuss leadership in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, how the world of business and healthcare are adjusting and how the Bay Area marketplace is shifting during this uncertain time. Throughout the discussion panelists will field questions from our viewers.

Culinary Medicine Series

The Culinary Medicine Series is now being offered virtually to all UCI employees in partnership between UCI HR Wellness, Campus Recreation, and UCI Health Weight Management programs. Based on the UCI Integrative Medicine curriculum, this series will continue with one virtual class each month through July. Each presentation from the dietician will be followed by a chef meal demonstration consisting of breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes. Classes and recipes are recorded and made available online following each class. Visit the website to see the series.

UC UPDATES

UC President Napolitano statement on May revision to Gov. Newsom’s budget

University of California President Janet Napolitano issued a statement on Governor Newsom’s revised budget and its impact on public education.

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

Pence, DeVos hold call with 14 college presidents

Vice President Mike Pence held a call with leaders of 14 colleges and universities. They were joined by Betsy DeVos, the U.S. secretary of education, and Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, in a discussion about “best practices to get students back to school in the fall,” according to a news release from the vice president’s office. The group discussed a guidance document the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released earlier this year about how colleges should plan, prepare and respond to COVID-19.

California superintendent suggests staggered reopening of schools

Tony Thurmond, superintendent of California public schools, is suggesting that the state stagger the reopening of schools amid the coronavirus pandemic. The following are some guidelines that Thurmond suggested schools should follow:

Teachers and students may have to wear masks
Possibly will be smaller class sizes with morning and afternoon shifts to allow for social distancing
Some schools may opt for hybrid model - in class and virtual
Local counties/school boards have the power to reopen schools there will only be guidance by the state - no universal start date
Some year round schools may choose to open in July
Still working to address digital divide and get more laptops & internet access to students in need

Fed warns of a sustained recession

Federal Reserve Chairman Powell has warned that lasting damage to the economy may result if Congress does not provide additional financial relief to prevent additional bankruptcies and prolonged unemployment.

Parking at County of Orange regional and wilderness parks to reopen May 16

The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to reopen parking lots at all County regional and wilderness parks. Pursuant to the Board of Supervisors direction and in consultation with Dr. Nichole Quick, County Health Officer, the parking lots and restrooms will reopen to the public the morning of Saturday, May 16. Parking was originally closed March 25, following the State of California’s stay-at-home order, but parks and trails have remained open for walk-in visitors. Parking at County beaches remains closed, but County beaches other than Thousand Steps remain open for active recreation.

Additional 3 million Americans filed for unemployment last week

With an additional 3 million Americans filing for unemployment benefits last week, the total number of jobless claims filed amid the coronavirus pandemic is now more than 36 million.

Doctors investigating pediatric syndrome possibly linked to COVID-19

Doctors in at least 18 states are investigating the rare condition in children that is believed to be linked to COVID-19 infection. There are now more than 150 cases in the United States, most of which are in New York.

Amazon designing and building face shields for frontline workers

Engineers from Amazon’s drone delivery team, Prime Air, have developed face shields that will soon become available on their website. Initially the face shields will only be available for frontline workers to purchase, but Amazon intends to open the sales up to the public in the future.