Sept. 30 - Random testing of vaxxed employees; kids’ mental health warning
Section 1
Our excitement shows: A sign near the Student Center welcomes back Anteaters who had been away for 18 months because of the pandemic. Photo by Ian Parker
CAMPUS UPDATES
Random testing of vaccinated UCI employees to begin
Starting tomorrow and continuing every Friday, a random sample of fully vaccinated UCI employees will be chosen for asymptomatic COVID-19 testing. Notifications will be sent to the selected employees and their supervisors requiring the employees to test one time during the following week. For more information, visit the new employee testing website or contact the UCI COVID Response Center at 949-824-9918.
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Suicidal behavior rising among kids, UCI expert warns
The pandemic has sparked a surge in suicidal thoughts, behavior and other mental health issues among teens and children, especially girls, says UCI Health psychiatrist Dr. Elliot Handler. Much of the increase stems from COVID-19’s disruption of familiar routines, social activities, school and sports, says Handler, who lists warning signs and tips for parents.
Prof’s book analyzes dietary supplements
In The Truth About Dietary Supplements: An Evidence-Based Guide to a Safe Medicine Cabinet, pharmaceutical sciences professor Mahtab Jafari explores the myths and benefits of various pills and potions.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
Schools with mask mandates see fewer outbreaks, CDC finds
Arizona schools that didn’t require masks had 3.5 times as many COVID-19 outbreaks as campuses that mandated face coverings.
CDC says it’s ‘urgent’ pregnant women get vaccinated
The agency said immunization rates among pregnant women have lagged and COVID-linked deaths in that demographic group have climbed to their highest levels of the pandemic.
UCI IN THE NEWS
A COVID-19 pill could soon fill a gap in our pandemic response that vaccines can’t overcome
Business Insider, Sept. 30
Cited: Bernadette Boden-Albala, director and founding dean, Program in Public Health
These Doctor-Approved Brain Games Will Sharpen Your Memory
MarthaStewart.com, Sept. 27
Cited: Hayley Kristinsson, neuropsychologist, Department of Neurology
The Resonant Surface explores musicality in visual art
LA Weekly, Sept. 29
Cited: UCI’s Institute and Museum of California Art
#UCICONNECTED
Middle Earth RAs Cameron and Edith. Photo by Edith Garcia via UCI Instagram
Through Oct. 5, Anteater students, faculty, staff and alumni can enter the UCI Landmark photo contest for a chance to win a gift card to @thehillatuci and a spot on the UCI Instagram feed. To enter, post your pics on social media from any of the Top 10 campus landmarks listed below with #UCIPride or submit via email. The landmark sites are:
- Water Tower (BC Anteater/UCI Athletics)
- Student Center
- Infinity Fountain
- Bronze Anteater (Bren Center)
- Esports Arena
- Aldrich Park
- Maya Lin Water Table
- Langson Library
- Science Library
- Jao Sculpture garden
#UCIconnected spotlights student, alumni, faculty and staff photos, essays, shoutouts, hobbies, artwork, unusual office decorations, activities and more. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.
COVID-19 NOTIFICATION AND RESOURCES
Five new campus cases
Two employees and three students tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. For more information, visit the UCI COVID-19 dashboard.
Remember to upload your vaccine record
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.
For COVID-19 questions
UCI Forward - information on campus status and operational updates
UCI Health COVID-19 Updates - important information related to UCI Health
UCI Coronavirus Response Center - available at covid19@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-9918
Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services - assistance with vaccines and vaccine uploads; available at contacttracing@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-2300
Program in Public Health chatline - answers to questions about COVID-19
For questions specific to your personal health situation, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider.