June 16 - Updates on COVID-19
Section 1
UCI UPDATES
Returning to campus: Mandatory COVID-19 training
For the health and safety of the entire university, all employees, including all essential and other employees still working on campus, must take the UC’s “Returning to Campus” course online before reporting to their workstations on campus. This training is required by Cal/OSHA and the California Department of Public Health and addresses what COVID-19 is, how it is transmitted, the steps the university has taken to reduce potential exposures, and what you can do to protect yourself and others in the workplace. As employees return to campus, it is important to understand that your health and safety is a priority. Even if you will continue to work remotely, but may need to come to campus occasionally, you must complete this training.
To start the course, log into UCLC here: www.uclc.uci.edu
Once on the UCLC home page, click on the orange box titled “Find A Course,” and search by title: “Returning to Campus.” When in UCLC, search using keywords:
- Returning to Campus
- COVID
- COVID-19
- Coronavirus
For questions or help in accessing this course, email uclearningcenter@uci.eduor safety@uci.edu.
UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES
Anteater Insider: UCI AVC of operations Rick Coulon on keeping campus clean for reengagement
Rick Coulon, UCI’s associate vice chancellor for operations, has been putting a lot of thought and planning into the upcoming resumption of closer-to-full-scale activities on campus following the months’ long curtailment to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In this episode of the Anteater Insider podcast, he discusses the steps he and his colleagues are taking.
What’s next: The future of summer vacation
States are reopening and inviting tourists – and their dollars – to return. But is it safe to take a trip? What do we need to know about hotel or Airbnb lodgings? About eating in restaurants? About large public gatherings? Karen Edwards, professor and chair of epidemiology at UCI and an enthusiastic traveler, offers her perspective.
Science Delivery: A bike ride, a bee and coronavirus
In the laboratory of Albert Siryaporn, assistant professor of microbiology & biochemistry and physics & astronomy, researchers are imagining treatments for COVID-19 patients. A new two-minute video from the School of Physical Sciences is the bee’s knees.
UCI COVID-19 VIRTUAL EVENTS
Remote teaching training and support services
Summer session is around the corner, and the Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation is providing various training and support services to assist you in preparing for summer remote teaching. Services include: boot camp webinars, virtual office hours, remote teaching webinar recordings and the Digital Learning Institute.
UC UPDATES
Temporary amendment to UC Residency Policy and Guidelines
The UC Residency Policy and Guidelines currently note that absences of six weeks or more in a one-year period disqualify a student from receiving in-state status. The Guidelines are hereby amended to provide that a student’s absence from the state for any length of time between March 9, 2020 and the Residency Determination Date for Fall 2020 at their campus shall not be counted toward the six-week limit if the absence is caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that students who temporarily leave California in response to the pandemic remain eligible for in-state residency for the 2020-21 academic year so long as they meet all other applicable eligibility requirements.
COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS
America’s retail sales surged in May
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. retail surged 17.7% in May, which is far better than economists had expected. This jump comes after two consecutive months of record slumps and is a positive sign that the U.S. economy may be on pace for a V-shaped recovery.
CDC issues Considerations for Events and Gatherings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance documents for reducing the spread of COVID-19 at events and gatherings as well as day-to-day outings.
COVID-19 patients with underlying conditions 12 times more likely to die, CDC says
About 45% of COVID-19 patients with underlying conditions were hospitalized, compared with nearly 8% of those who did not have significant preexisting conditions. Deaths were 12 times higher among patients with these underlying conditions (19.5%) compared with those without reported conditions (1.6%).
Extension of non-essential travel restrictions with Canada and Mexico
Based on the success of the existing restrictions and the emergence of additional global COVID-19 hotspots, the Department of Homeland Security will continue to limit non-essential travel at our land ports of entry with Canada and Mexico. Homeland Security is in close contact with Canadian and Mexican counterparts regarding this extension, and they agree on the need to extend their non-essential travel restrictions as well.
Youth sports practices reopen in Orange County
Orange County officials announced the reopening of youth sports practices. All youth sports practices will need to follow state guidance of physical distancing and safety protocols.
18 U.S. states report upward trend in coronavirus cases
Among the 18 states that are still seeing an upward trend in new cases is California. Ten states are seeing steady numbers, and 22 states are seeing a downward trend.
United Airlines creates strict ‘internal travel restriction list’
Starting this Thursday, any passenger who refuses to comply with United Airlines’ mask requirement will be placed on an “internal travel restriction list.” According to the airline, “customers on this list will lose their travel privileges on United for a duration of time to be determined pending a comprehensive incident review.”
Librarians and tax assessors to train as contact tracers
As California trains 20,000 contact tracers, one of the largest such efforts in the country, librarians and tax assessors are stepping up to meet the challenge.
U.S. Open of Surfing canceled this summer
The Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, which takes place annually in Huntington Beach, is officially canceled this year. The event will return in 2021.
LPGA to resume in July
The LPGA Tour announced that the 2020 season will resume with back-to-back events in Ohio next month.
UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List
CBS Los Angeles, June 15, 2020 (Video)
Dr. Anthony Fauci is surprise guest speaker at virtual graduation of UC Irvine’s School of biological sciences
The Washington Post, June 15, 2020
Coronavirus recommendations ignored as case numbers rise
Thrive Global, June 11, 2020
“Why you need social support.” With Beau Henderson & Dr. Sarah Pressman
Los Angeles Times, June 15, 2020
UCLA to reopen with mainly online classes because of the coronavirus, officials say
Futurity, June 16, 2020
Reopening schools requires major caution
NASA, June 16, 2020
Astrobiologist seek antiviral solutions for COVID-19
The Washington Post, June 16, 2020
The Health 202: The hydroxychloroquine hype is over
The Washington Post, June 15, 2020
Coronavirus has been 12 times more deadly for people with underlying conditions, CDC says
The Hill, June 16, 2020
The Hill’s Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Bending the COVID-19 curve proves temporary for many states
Sports Illustrated, June 16, 2020
MLB is crumbling. Blame the owners
Saipan Tribune, June 16, 2020
Mental health awareness and ‘the new norm’
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