May 20 - Updates on COVID-19
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UCI UPDATES
Division of Undergraduate Education develops student facing website for remote learning
As UCI navigates a remote learning environment, we understand that students may have trouble adjusting to this transition. To ensure that you have all the support you need, the Division of Undergraduate Education Student Learning Resources are your central resource for campus services available at this time. Learn more about the variety of resources you can leverage during this time.
UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES
Preparing for a new normal
Soon more businesses — not just ones deemed essential — will be calling employees back to work at least some of the time. Employees understandably have concerns about how their new workplaces will look and whether returning will be safe. They wonder how to best safeguard their health. Those safeguards will continue to include keeping at least six feet from others and wearing protective masks. See additional advice from UCI Health.
UCI COVID-19 VIRTUAL EVENTS
COVID-19 and Unemployment
The School of Social Ecology continues with its “Parkside Chats” with the event COVID-19 and Unemployment featuring Dean Nancy Guerra and Virginia Parks, chair and professor of urban planning and public policy. During each webinar, the audience will have a chance to ask questions. The event takes place May 22 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Registration is required.
Refusing Austerity in Higher Education
The School of Social Sciences presents Refusing Austerity in Higher Education: A How-To Webinar. What are the alternatives for the financing of public higher education, both during and after the COVID-19 crisis? These speakers will discuss salary caste systems and university endowments, student debt and institutional debt service payments, federal funding, Modern Monetary theory, and beyond. The event takes place May 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and registration is required.
Compelling Conversations: Air Quality, Climate Change and COVID 19
In this virtual event, School of Physical Sciences Dean James Bullock hosted experts to discuss climate change and air quality during COVID-19. Watch the recording to hear from Jason Low, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer at South Coast Air Quality Management District, Barbara Finlayson-Pitts, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Co-Director of AirUCI, and Steve Davis, Associate Professor of Earth System Science.
UC UPDATES
Planned UCPath Downtime
The UCPath system, including UCPath Online, will be unavailable to all UC employees for five days in May due to the UCSD, UCSD Medical and UCSF transition to UCPath. The start time is Fri. May 22 at 10 p.m., and the end time is Wed. May 27 at 12 p.m. Log into UCPath Online before or after these dates to view your paychecks, manage benefits, see leave balances and more.
UC’s investment portfolios fossil free; clean energy investments top $1 billion
The University of California Office of the Chief Investment Officer of the Regents announced that its investment portfolios are fossil free after the sale of more than $1 billion in assets from its pension, endowment and working capital pools. At the same time, the office has surpassed its five-year goal of investing $1 billion in promising clean energy projects. Said UC President Janet Napolitano, “The University of California uses more green power than any other university in the nation, and we are also the leader in the amount of renewable electricity we generate on our campuses. Sustainable climate solutions and sustainable investing are more important than ever, especially given the challenges we face in a world altered by COVID-19.”
COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS
U.S. Department of Justice warns CA Governor over pandemic church closings
The U.S. Department of Justice warned Gov. Gavin Newsom that the state’s stay-at-home orders have discriminated against houses of worship. In a three-page letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, the DOJ said the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution required churches and other houses of worship be given equal treatment under the law, even when a health emergency has been declared.
LA County aims to have stores, restaurants and malls open by July 4
The goal was announced during a Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, as business leaders lamented the toll the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on the economy, saddling business owners and employees with lost work and pay.
CDC Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
This guidance is intended for all Americans, whether you own a business, run a school, or want to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your home.
Considerations for Institutes of Higher Education
The CDC revised its Guidance for Institutes of Higher Education.
U.S., Canada agree to keep border partly closed for another 30 days
The United States and Canada mutually agreed to extend border closure until June 21.
CDC issues rule: Control of Communicable Diseases: Foreign Quarantine
The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended Title 42 public health restrictions at the borders until he determines the serious danger from COVID-19 has ceased. This order has been one of the most critical tools the Department has used to prevent the further spread of the virus and to protect the American people, DHS frontline officers, and those in their care and custody from COVID-19.
Orange County’s jobless can apply for $800 through workforce program
People in Orange County who lost their job because of the coronavirus pandemic can now apply to get $800 under a county workforce program. The program is being funded by a $900,000 grant from the California Employment Development Department.
SoCal Memorial Day Flyover
An 18-plane formation of historic warbirds will fly over the Inland Empire and Orange counties on Memorial Day, saluting veterans and health care workers.
OC Health Care Agency explains contact tracing
A new flyer from the Health Care Agency explains the contact tracing and case investigation process.
Study: World carbon pollution falls 17% during pandemic peak
The world’s carbon pollution fell 17% during the peak of the pandemic.
Study to investigate pregnancy outcomes resulting from COVID-19
NIH has funded a study to investigate pregnancy outcomes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Newsom’s task force on business and jobs recovery is asking Congress for $1 trillion in pandemic relief for all states.
Top business leaders in California, including Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Priscilla Chan of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, are urging Congress to approve an additional $1 trillion in spending to head off massive budget cuts facing all state and local governments due to Covid-19.
Joshua Tree slowly opening
After a lengthy closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, Joshua Tree National Park is reopening in phases. Park entrances, roads, parking lots, trails, individual campsites and restrooms are all open. Group campsites and visitor centers are closed.
At least 68 grocery store employees have died from COVID-19
According to the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, at least 68 grocery store workers at companies it represents have died as a result of COVID-19.
All states are now partially reopened
As of today, all states are partially reopened. However, just a few states show significant improvements in infection rates.
It’s safe to swim in a pool, lake or the ocean
According to experts, swimming in a pool, lake or ocean is safe and there is no data that someone can get infected with COVID-19 in this way. There is also no evidence that the disease can be spread to people through water in hot tubs, spas or water play areas.
Deadline to verify GPA for Cal Grant applicants waived
Governor Newsom signed an executive order addressing a variety of COVID-19 issues. In that executive order, the deadline to verify grade point average and certain certification requirements and selective service registration verification for Cal Grant applicants was waived.
Costa Mesa launches loan program to assist small businesses
Costa Mesa is set to launch a $25,000 emergency loan program for small businesses that are financially struggling due to the pandemic. Read more here.
UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List
Vox, May 20, 2020
How to fight fear and anxiety when quarantine ends
The Sacramento Bee, May 20, 2020
As counties reopen, California rushes to build an army of coronavirus ‘disease detectives’
The New York Times, May 20, 2020 (Opinion)
Opinion: When the mask you’re wearing ‘tastes like socialism’
The Chronicle of Philanthropy, May 20, 2020
Coalition for epidemic preparedness innovations commits $384 million for a Covid-19 vaccine (Grants roundup)
Al Jazeera, May 20, 2020 (Opinion)
Opinion: Coronavirus leaked from a lab? Blame capitalism, not China
Nature, May 20, 2020
How the coronavirus pandemic slashed carbon emissions — in five graphs
Azo Optics, May 20, 2020
New UV light sterilizer technology could rapidly disinfect surfaces, indoor air
Salon, May 20, 2020
After only 12% of minority-owned businesses received relief loans, many plan to close down: survey
ScienceBlog, May 20, 2020
Physicists exploring use of Blu-ray disc lasers to kill COVID-19, other viruses
CBS Los Angeles, May 19, 2020
Coronavirus: Orange County reports 75 additional cases bringing total To 4.5K
NewStatesman, May 19, 2020
“We were sounding the alarms”: the doctor in Congress who tried to warn Trump about a coming pandemic
Voice of OC, May 19, 2020
OC Supervisors Push for More Business Reopenings by Memorial Day Weekend
ACE, May 19, 2020
ACE member institutions lead the way in research and technology to fight COVID-19
MORE INFORMATION
OC-COVID19.org - powered by UCI and UCI Health, a website devoted to providing timely, useful, evidence-based information about the novel coronavirus pandemic to our friends and neighbors across Orange County
UCI Coronavirus Information Hub - more information on campus status and operational updates
UCI Health COVID-19 Updates - important information related to UCI Health