May 26 - Updates on COVID-19

UCI UPDATES

Positive COVID-19 cases

Two positive COVID-19 cases in the UCI campus community were identified over the weekend. Both cases are grad students who are recovering (individually) in self-isolation. The two students share no common programs or potential contact, and live in separate housing units.

UCI Health Screening Update

Starting Tuesday, May 26, UCI Health will expand its health screening requirements to those who work in City Tower. The screening checkpoint will be located in the 200 Manchester lobby area.

UCI Health patient experience scores at 92 percentile

Through COVID-19, UCI Health continued to provide quality patient care and service. As a result, we have seen our highest inpatient patient experience scores for the month of April. UCI Health is now at the 92nd percentile when compared to all other institutions in the Press Ganey database. This is a tremendous achievement for UCI Health and proves that even during challenging times we are still able to provide outstanding clinical care and a superior experience for our patients and their families.

Guidance for Expanding Off-Site Research Activities

UCI’s Office of Research issued guidance for off-site research activities. Off-site research is defined as UCI research activities conducted at sites or in facilities that are not owned, operated, controlled or managed by UCI.

School of Medicine drive-thru commencement takes place this Saturday

On Saturday, May 30, nearly 100 School of Medicine students will drive to campus and graduate from the seats of their cars. Enormous banners will adorn the buildings, and a 17-by-12-foot video screen will display the speeches, including pre-recorded remarks from Chancellor Howard Gillman and Vice Chancellor of Health Affairs Steve Goldstein. Dean Michael Stamos and Vice Dean of Education Khanh-Van Le-Bucklin will speak from podiums 6 feet apart on the stage. Students, along with a family member or friend, will watch from their cars, then circle through a parking lot to a designated location where both people will step out and the family member or friend will ceremonially hood the graduate. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. and can be viewed on vimeo. It will also be broadcasted on UCI’s KUCI radio station (88.9 FM).

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES

Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing on educating future nurses in a new reality

Everything nurses learn is reinforced in the last quarter of their education. So what, then, when a global pandemic disrupts the last quarter of classes? Enter UCI Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing pre-licensure program director and associate clinical professor Leanne Burke, EdD. In her role, she ensures future nurses meet the requirements to graduate and qualify for their licensing exams.

5 Tips for busting myths and misinformation

The School of Humanities published an article where UCI philosophers share practical tips for discerning credible information on COVID-19. Annalisa Coliva, Chancellor’s Fellow and Chair of the Department of Philosophy, and Duncan Pritchard, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, are two preeminent epistemologists studying the philosophical framework of knowledge itself. Drawing from an interview with the scholars, they share their top tips for discerning credible information during the pandemic.

UCI COVID-19 VIRTUAL EVENTS

COVID-19 & the Law: Freedom of Expression, Disinformation & COVID-19

The School of Law offers the webinar COVID-19 & the Law: Freedom of Expression, Disinformation & COVID-19. This event is Wednesday, May 27 from noon to 1 p.m. and features David Kaye, Clinical Professor of Law. Registration is required.

Mobilizing our Communities, Stronger Together

The UCI Humanities Center continues its celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The next event is a Facebook live event called Mobilizing our Communities, Stronger Together and takes place May 27 from 6 to 7 p.m. In a time where anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander rhetoric is abundant, the panelists explore how to work together to stand up against hate.

Simulating a Pandemic: Technology’s Promise & Failure

The School of Humanities continues with its series COVID-19: The Humanities Respond, with it’s next installment, called Simulating a Pandemic: Technology’s Promise & Future. The event takes place May 28 and features Peter Krapp, Department of Film and Media Studies.

Mathematical Models of COVID-19 Spread Across Contact Networks: Disease spread during and after social distancing

The Program in Public Health continues its Public Health Lunchtime Lecture Series with the next event called Mathematical Models of COVID-19 Spread Across Contact Networks: Disease spread during and after social distancing. The event is May 28 at 12:30 p.m. and features Program in Public Health Professor Dr. Dominik Wodarz. Registration is required.

Supporting Seniors: Tips for Supporting Seniors During a Pandemic

The School of Social Ecology offers the next installment of its Parkside Chats series with the webinar Supporting Seniors: Tips for Supporting Seniors During a Pandemic. The event takes place May 28 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and features Susan T. Charles, chair and professor of psychological science. Registration is required.

Achieving Precision Health in Neuropsychiatry

UCI’s Precision Health through Artificial Intelligence Initiative presents an online lecture program Thursday, May 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. The program features several speakers including Daniel Chow, M.D., speaking on Leveraging Expertise Across UCI to Identify Vulnerable COVID-19 Patients. Attendees can watch the lecture via Zoom or YouTube and can submit questions in both platforms’ Q&A boxes. Registration is required.

UC UPDATES

University of California Board of Regents unanimously approved changes to standardized testing requirement for undergraduates

The University of California Board of Regents unanimously approved the suspension of the standardized test requirement (ACT/SAT) for all freshman applicants until fall 2024. The suspension will allow the University to create a new test that better aligns with the content the University expects students to have mastered for college readiness. However, if a new test does not meet specified criteria in time for fall 2025 admission, UC will eliminate the standardized testing requirement for California students.

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

County of Orange Moves into Stage Two of California’s Resiliency Roadmap

On Saturday, May 23, the State of California approved the County of Orange’s plan to accelerate local businesses into Stage Two. The County was able to successfully demonstrate that Orange County meets the State’s required metrics as outlined in the California Resiliency Roadmap.

Orange County issues new orders, including wearing face coverings in public

On Saturday, May 23, the County of Orange issued orders and recommendations for slowing the spread of COVID-19, including wearing face coverings while in public.

California allows in-store retailers and places of worship to reopen

Governor Newsom modified the state’s stay-at-home order allowing places of worship to reopen as well as in-store retailers. Places of worship must limit attendance to 100 people or 25% of the building’s capacity, whichever is lower, and all retail stores must follow previously issued guidelines. Reopening must be approved by the county before going into effect.

Orange County to start posting coronavirus recovery estimates

Today, Orange County officials will start posting an estimate of those who have recovered from the coronavirus. The recovery numbers will be determined by taking the number of positive cases and subtracting the number of deaths that have occurred over the last 28 days.

The New York Stock Exchange’s trading floor reopens

Today, the New York Stock Exchange trading floor reopened after months of electronic-only trading. There will be fewer floor brokers and they will wear masks and practice social distancing.

Interest rate on federal college loans is about to hit a record low

The interest rate on new federal student loans for undergraduates will fall to a record low this summer. Those students will pay a rate of 2.75 percent on loans for the coming academic year, down from 4.53 percent last year.

Trump administration promises to buy 100 million testing swabs and vials

By the end of this year, the Trump administration promises to buy 100 milliontesting swabs and vials to distribute to states as part of the federal response to the pandemic. However, the majority of the responsibility to ramp up testing is on the states themselves.

New travel restrictions on Brazil due to COVID-19

President Trump has enacted a proclamation suspending entry into the U.S. for individuals who have been to Brazil within 14 days immediately preceding their attempt to enter the states. This comes after Brazil has seen a recent spike in coronavirus cases and deaths.

NBA planning to restart season at Orlando’s Disney World

The NBA is in talks with Disney World to restart the season there in late July. The games would resume at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex campus.

UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List

City Lab, May 26, 2020
What our post-pandemic behavior might look like

The Washington Post, May 26, 2020
‘Tell me what to do! Please!’: Even experts struggle with coronavirus unknowns

The New York Times, May 25, 2020 (Opinion)
Opinion: It’s not obesity. It’s slavery.

Orange County Business Journal, May 25, 2020
UCI’s coronavirus trial enters next phase of testing

Orange County Business Journal, May 25, 2020 (Front page)
OC’s top universities to reopen in stages

Orange County Business Journal, May 25, 2020
Opinion: Orange County is built for resilience

Orange County Business Journal, May 25, 2020
New Irvine COVID-19 cases see 1-week boost

Orange County Business Journal, May 25, 2020
OC50 – Making a difference

Los Angeles Times, May 24, 2020 (Column)
Column: Trump doesn’t like mail-in voting, but it’s not his call

The Washington Post, May 24, 2020
Death counts become the rhythm of the pandemic in the absence of national mourning

Zululand Observer, May 24, 2020
Issues at stake: Misinformation in the time of Covid-19

The New York Times, May 23, 2020 (Opinion)
Opinion: Are cars protecting Los Angeles?

MSN Now (Boston Globe), May 22, 2020
The coronavirus crisis will bust up and reshape higher education — for better or for worse

Forbes, May 22, 2020 (Contributor)
Congress Needs To Act Before Half Of The US’s Black & Latinx-Owned Small Businesses Close

Voice of OC, May 22, 2020
With Hospitalizations in Focus, OC Deciding Whether to Report More Consistent Numbers

SFGate (BCNS), May 22, 2020
Santa Clara Co.: Advocates Urge County To Forgive Rent As End Of Eviction Moratorium Looms

The Indian Express, May 22, 2020 (Opinion)
Opinion: Lives versus livelihoods: cost-benefit analysis of lockdown needs to be done before opening up

ABC7, May 21, 2020 (Video)
Herd immunity: How it works, how long it might take to protect us from coronavirus

Salon, May 21, 2020
Conservatives tout Sweden’s hands-off pandemic approach that caused thousands of avoidable deaths

Yahoo News, May 21, 2020
Trump’s attacks on voting by mail haven’t made a difference yet, but could in the fall election

KJZZ, May 21, 2020 (Audio)
Professor explores ways to have a fair election in November

Reason, May 21, 2020
Why does Trump want to stop people from voting by mail?

HuffPost, May 21, 2020
Experts Worry Trump’s hydroxychloroquine claims could have major consequences

NPR, May 19, 2020 (Audio)
A doctor and 2 patients share their perspectives on the recovery from COVID-19

The Washington Post, May 19, 2020 (Opinion)
Opinion: Happy hour roundup

MORE INFORMATION

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