July 1 - Updates on COVID-19
Section 1
UCI UPDATES
Increase in positive cases
You likely have seen reported in this digest an increase in the number of positive cases within the UCI community. This has led to readers reaching out to learn more details about these cases, such as information about the individuals and where they reside. In accordance with health privacy laws, we cannot disclose the identity or personal information of these individuals. In coordination with the Orange County Health Care Agency, we are connecting with anyone who may have been exposed. A complete case count for UCI campus employees and UCI students is maintained at www.uci.edu/coronavirus.
2020-21 update for Academic Senate faculty
An update on important issues for faculty is available as we enter the 2020-21 academic year, including information on campus safety and returning to work, merit and promotion process, compensation and budget, instructional continuity, and accommodations.
UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES
UCI creates small business toolkit
UCI and its experts in public health have developed a digital tool kit containing information and a variety of resources to help businesses reopen safely. The content is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the California Department of Public Health and the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Funding awards announced for Advancing Equity in the Age of COVID-19
A total of 19 faculty and resource center director proposals were funded in response to a call aiming to understand: “Are We in this Together? Advancing Equity in the Age of COVID-19.” Thirteen individual and team faculty projects were funded from a total of 25 proposals totaling over $500,000, and six resource center projects were selected from 10 submissions that represented more than $80,000. The awards are hosted by the Office of Inclusive Excellence Confronting Extremism Program, which seeks to forge dialogues and support inquiry and evidence-based practices aligned to campus values.
UCI Podcast: Top Chef winner is UCI alumna Melissa King
Melissa King, a UCI alumna who earned her bachelor’s degree in cognitive science in 2005, won “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.,” the 17th season of the show. In this episode of the UCI Podcast, King dishes on the final moments of the show and her unique California-Asian culinary style. She also shares tips for college students cooking in their dorms, and shares how she has been spending time during quarantine.
HOPE, INSPIRATION, LAUGHTER
Amid the heartbreaking loss of life and economic hardship wrought by the coronavirus, we recognize the need for stories of kindness, hope, courage and humor.
Baptism by squirt gun?
Photos of priests using water guns to baptize babies and bless parishioners have gone viral in recent weeks. In at least one case, the social distancing pose was a joke.
Orange County offers creative alternatives to celebrating Fourth of July
Businesses and organizations are getting creative ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend with virtual celebrations, flyovers and more. Here are some social distance adhering celebrations.
COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS
COVID-19 vaccine candidates show promising data in early study
A COVID-19 vaccine being developed by U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German biotech company BioNTech has showed positive results in early tests.
California has second highest number of cases in nation
As coronavirus cases continue to spike, California has the second highest total cases in the country, with more than 232,000. New York has the most, with over 393,000 total cases.
Dr. Fauci predicts U.S. will see 100,000 new cases a day
If the coronavirus outbreak continues on its current trend, Dr. Anthony Fauci believes the daily new cases in the U.S. could surpass 100,000. The number of new cases a day is outpacing that of April, when Washington and the Northeast, especially New York, were hit hard.
Newsom tightens up coronavirus rules
Faced with surging coronavirus cases ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom tightened coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday, July 1, ordering the closure of indoor operations in certain businesses — including restaurants, wineries and card rooms — for the next three weeks in all counties that have been on the state’s “watch list” for at least three days, including Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside.
Orange County health officer orders bars to close Thursday
Bars in Orange County that do not offer sit-down dining must close just after midnight Wednesday, July 1, under an order from county Interim Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau. The order says bars that don’t serve food must close as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday, and bars with a dining menu should only serve alcohol to patrons who are also ordering food. Bars and breweries without food service may remain open if they contract with a vendor to provide dine-in meals.
Laguna Beach to close its beaches on July 4
Laguna Beach’s city beaches will be closed on July 4 due to the recent increase in coronavirus cases in Orange County.
UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List
BBC, June 30, 2020
What makes people stop caring?.
Vox, July 1, 2020
Trumpism, not polarization, drives America’s disastrous coronavirus politics
Los Angeles Times, July 1, 2020
He worked hard to find a job after a nonprofit paid his bail. Then the coronavirus hit
Fox Business, June 30, 2020
Which universities will be online in the fall?
Forbes, June 30, 2020
Will COVID-19 save higher education?
The Scientist, July 1, 2020
Amidst uncertainty, flexibility is key in higher ed, faculty say
Voice of OC, July 1, 2020
Orange County bars may shut down again due to rising coronavirus cases
New Jersey Herald, June 30, 2020
‘It’s a mess’: Paterson voter fraud just a taste of mail-in ballot issues plaguing New Jersey
KUSI News, June 30, 2020
All UC Schools of Medicine to interview applicants virtually
Medscape, June 30, 2020
How well trained is the class of 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