November 30 - Updates on COVID-19

TODAY’S CAMPUS UPDATES

Case count news

Nine new campus cases (eight students and one employee) were reported after our last newsletter. The number of active cases stood at 23 on Sunday (17 students, six employees). The cumulative total of positive cases since March is 173 (86 students, 87 employees). For more information, visit UCI’s COVID-19 dashboard.

COVID testing for off-campus students starts Dec. 7

UCI is expanding its testing capacity to include students who live off-campus but come to the university for classes, research or other regular events or activities. Beginning Dec. 7, weekly COVID-19 testing will be offered to non-resident students who come to campus for classes or research. Schedule appointments through the Student Health Portal.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND EVENTS

How COVID will change the future of movies

The pandemic is likely to permanently alter the production, distribution and viewing of movies, according to Lucas Hilderbrand, UCI professor of film & media studies and visual studies.

UCI Athletics cancels most training

Athletics has suspended training for most sports through Dec. 31. An exception was made for men’s and women’s basketball because their seasons are already underway.

Happy 55th, Peter!

This Hamilton-esque video celebrates the Nov. 30 birthday of UCI’s famous mascot.

Upcoming events

Health Care Policy in the Time of COVID, Partisan Politics and Rapid Social Change, Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.
Cultivating Mindfulness within Families: The Power of Presence Amidst a Pandemic, Wednesday, noon to 1 p.m.

UC NEWS

UC application deadline extended to Friday

Because of technical difficulties on Nov. 29, the deadline for the UC application has been extended to 11:59 p.m. PST, Friday, Dec. 4.

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.

School closures could shorten student lifespans, study says

Children whose educations have been disrupted by the pandemic, even for as little as two to four months, may suffer lifelong consequences, including shorter lifespans, according to a study released by UCLA’s School of Public Health.

Debunking a viral Twitter post

An ER nurse recently claimed on Twitter that some patients were denying COVID was real even as they died. When the media caught wind of the story, reporters didn’t do their jobs.

Police crack down on underground bars, illegal parties in L.A., NYC

Coast to coast, secret parties are being busted by cops. The illegal gatherings include a New York fight club called “The Rumble in the Bronx” and Los Angeles parties disguised as video shoots.

Virus hospitalizations hit record in California

More than 7,400 people are hospitalized for coronavirus in California, the state’s highest number yet. The state reported 7,415 coronavirus hospitalizations on Sunday. More than 1,700 of those patients were in intensive care. California’s previous record was 7,170 in July.

Pasadena may ban outdoor dining as cases surge

People from across Southern California came to Old Town Pasadena on Sunday for outdoor dining – the only city in Los Angeles County that was still allowing that service. But that could change as the city continues to monitor its coronavirus numbers, especially after the holiday weekend starts to factor in.

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.

Satire: vaccines and holiday travel

The Onion lampoons how coronavirus vaccines are developed (“Normal four-year vaccine process expedited by assigning one researcher to constantly shout ‘Come on, come on, come on!’”) and offers tips for telling family members that you’re not coming home for the holidays (“Remind them that just because you won’t physically be there doesn’t mean they can’t still send you gifts”).

Dude leaves $3,000 tip at restaurant facing shutdown

The customer ordered a beer and left a $3,000 tip for the staff of a Cleveland restaurant shutting down voluntarily because of COVID-19.

#UCIconnected

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.