October 22 - Updates on COVID-19

ANTEATER TIME MACHINE

TODAY’S CAMPUS UPDATES

Students: How do you #zotpod?

Calling all Anteaters: If you live on campus, tell us what you’re doing to make your Zot Pod fun but safe, so we can share your ideas with other students. Tag us with #zotpod in your Instagram and Twitter pics.

Case count update

No new infections were reported yesterday. Keep up the healthy practices.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND EVENTS

UCI wins corporate responsibility award

For its positive community impact during the pandemic, UCI was honored today with the Corporate Responsibility award at the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce’s Celebrate Resilience program. Celebrate Resilience salutes the pandemic efforts of companies, organizations and people.

Upcoming events

• Managing Remote Workers, Tuesday, 11 a.m.

GENERAL COVID-19 NEWS

This section curates noteworthy coronavirus news, trends and opinions. No endorsement by UCI is implied. Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and OC Register for students, faculty and staff
  

Theme parks might sue over ‘unachievable’ reopening rules

Disneyland, Knott’s, Universal, Legoland and other California parks say all optionsare under consideration if state officials won’t budge.

Studies point to big drop in COVID death rates

The decline was seen in all groups, including older patients and people with underlying conditions, which indicates that physicians are getting better at helping patients survive the illness.

More businesses allowed to reopen in California

All personal care services, such as hair removal and massage and tattoo parlors, are allowed to resume modified indoor operations, regardless of their county’s position within the tier system.

Stop wiping down groceries and focus on bigger risks, experts say

The virus is rarely transmitted through contact with tainted surfaces, according to experts. So people should focus on other transmission risks.

Southwest eliminating empty middle seat policy

The airline announced it will stop leaving middle seats open on Dec. 1. This marks an end to Southwest’s pandemic policy and will increase capacity for the holiday season.

Moderna enrolls participants for Phase 3 vaccine trial

All 30,000 participants have received their first shot of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccineas part of the company’s Phase 3 trials. Moderna says it’s on track to seek FDA approval to put the vaccine on the market in December--“if all stars align.”

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. 
  

Bacon-scented masks?

On the heels of creating the world’s first bacon-fueled motorcycle, Hormel has now introduced “breathable bacon” masks featuring “the latest in pork-scented technology.” The limited-edition face coverings are available through a drawing that ends Oct. 28. “Don’t just eat bacon. Inhale it,” the company advises.

#UCIconnected

Julia M. Bingham, associate director of career services, professional master’s programs in the Samueli School of Engineering, writes, “I’m a new employee as of last week and saw your call for things people have been doing during the pandemic. I studied Bob Ross-style wet-on-wet oil painting, got all the equipment and successfully painted my very first one!”

What have you been up to during the pandemic? Send photos and/or words about your activities, workstation, volunteering or academic adventures to marketing@uci.edu or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.