UCI Forward

UCI Forward is our commitment to the well-being of our community as we ramp up campus operations. Working together, each of us doing our part, we can move UCI Forward.

February 19 - Updates on COVID-19

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Friendly reminder. Mask up, Anteaters.
Friendly reminder. Mask up, Anteaters.

TODAY'S CAMPUS UPDATES

New campus cases*

Two students and one campus employee tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. For more information, visit the UCI COVID-19 dashboard.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND EVENTS

UCI-CHOC origami mask project gets some national attention

The collaborative UCI Face Mask Project has led to the creation of a highly effective and inexpensive face covering that takes its cues from origami – the Japanese art of paper folding – and doesn’t require any sewing.

Digital journal about relationships under lockdown features global perspectives

The International Center for Writing and Translation has produced an online magazine on the theme of “Intimacy During Lockdown,” with essays, poems and artwork from contributors of all ages and backgrounds. The ICWT offers this collection as a gift to all who have continued to teach, learn, serve and love during this difficult time.

Upcoming events

UC NEWS 

Friday Fun Fact

Top employer: The University of California employs approximately 230,000 faculty, academics and staff, making it the third-largest employer in California.

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.

Orange County temporarily closes mass vaccination sites

Shipment disruptions caused by the severe cold weather gripping much of the country are causing closures at mass vaccination sites in Orange County. The Disneyland Super POD in Anaheim, set up in one of the theme park’s parking lots, closed Thursday and will remain closed through Monday, pending delivery of more COVID-19 vaccine shots.

California makes it easier for high school sports to resume

Counties and school districts can start planning for multiple sports immediately if certain health conditions and safety protocols are met. The state health agency adjusted its colored tier system to allow outdoor, high-contact sports such as football, water polo and soccer to be played in the less restrictive red or purple tiers.

Newsom proposes $9.6 billion relief program for restaurants, workers

Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators reached a massive economic relief package yesterday that has big implications for small businesses and workers. The state’s proposed $9.6-billion COVID-19 relief plan is a combination of actions and funds designed to assist low-income residents, restaurants and bars, and undocumented workers experiencing hardship during the pandemic.

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.

UK’s chief mouser celebrates 10 years on the prowl

Larry the cat, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, has loyally served as Britain’s rat-catcher for a decade. The former stray has worked under three prime ministers and even met former President Barack Obama. “His rags to riches tale is yet more proof of why all animals deserve a second chance – one minute they may be an overlooked stray on the streets, the next they could become one of the nation’s beloved political figures, with fans around the world,” says the head of cattery of Battersea.

#UCIconnected

If you have a shoutout, or if you’d like to share what you’ve been up to during the pandemic, send photos and/or words about your activities, workstation, volunteering, etc., to marketing@uci.edu or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.

EXPOSURE NOTIFICATION

* Potential workplace exposure: UCI provides this notification of a potential workplace COVID-19 exposure. Employees and subcontractors who were in these locations on the dates listed may have been exposed to the coronavirus. You may be entitled to various benefits under applicable federal and state laws and University-specific policies and agreements. The full notification is available on the UCI Forward site. If you have been identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 case, the UCI Contact Tracing Program will contact you and provide additional direction.