Oct. 5 - COVID-19 boosters, viral social media
Section 1
Al fresco instruction in the time of COVID-19. This was shot at the School of Engineering. Photo by Ian Parker
Each day, a UCI expert will answer one of your questions about COVID-19, vaccinations, variants or the future of work. Submit questions via email.
Today’s question is answered by David Souleles, director of UCI’s COVID-19 Response Team:
Can I get a COVID-19 booster shot?
Many members of the UCI community may be eligible for a booster vaccine under new guidance from the CDC. Boosters are recommended for people who received the Pfizer vaccine more than six months ago and work in healthcare or education settings. These conditions must be met:
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The recipient must have had the Pfizer-BioNTech as their primary initial vaccine series.
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It must be administered at least six months after completing the primary two-dose series.
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The recipient must be 65 years or older OR 18 years or older and work in settings such as education or healthcare or have underlying medical conditions.
See the COVID-19 Response Center’s “New guidance on COVID-19 vaccine boosters and third doses.”
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
UCI-led study identifies six ways COVID-19 risk was expressed on social media during the early stages of the pandemic
Public health messaging focusing only on the increasing severity and threat of a virus will fall short of the desired response, suggests the study led by UCI Public Health and published in the journal PLOS One. Such messaging should instead emphasize social or group identity, according to the research team led by Suellen Hopfer, assistant professor of health, society and behavior. For instance, mask messaging that emphasizes workplace policy may be better accepted than a focus on individual responsibility.
AirUCI Institute awarded nearly $2 million to study non-tailpipe vehicle emissions
The institute of Atmospheric Integrated Research, in partnership with Madison Park Neighborhood Association in Santa Ana, has been awarded $1.9 million by the California Attorney General’s office to study the health impacts of non-tailpipe vehicle pollutants. Unlike tailpipe emissions, which have been the subject of exhaustive study and government regulations over the past several decades, much less investigation has been conducted on other pollutants, particularly from friction being applied to brakes and tires. An interdisciplinary team of AirUCI researchers will use the funds to study the composition, toxicity, incidence and potential health effects of airborne particles from cars and trucks.
UCI-led study links air pollution exposure while pregnant to higher gestational diabetes risk
Pregnant women who live in Southern California areas with poor air quality have an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus, according to a recent UCI-led study. Mothers with gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, while their offspring are at higher risk for preterm birth, childhood autism and adult obesity. Jun Wu, professor of environmental and occupational health and corresponding author of the findings published in the Environment International journal, says “no prior study has systematically explored the joint effects of complex air pollution mixtures on the condition.” Recommended interventions to reduce the odds of gestational diabetes, especially among Southern California’s at-risk demographic groups, include stronger air-quality regulations, use of air filters and purifiers, early gestational diabetes screening and promotion of healthy lifestyles.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
UCI-led study identifies six ways COVID-19 risk was expressed on social media during the early stages of the pandemic
Public health messaging focusing only on the increasing severity and threat of a virus will fall short of the desired response, suggests the study led by UCI Public Health and published in the journal PLOS One. Such messaging should instead emphasize social or group identity, according to the research team led by Suellen Hopfer, assistant professor of health, society and behavior. For instance, mask messaging that emphasizes workplace policy may be better accepted than a focus on individual responsibility.
AirUCI Institute awarded nearly $2 million to study non-tailpipe vehicle emissions
The institute of Atmospheric Integrated Research, in partnership with Madison Park Neighborhood Association in Santa Ana, has been awarded $1.9 million by the California Attorney General’s office to study the health impacts of non-tailpipe vehicle pollutants. Unlike tailpipe emissions, which have been the subject of exhaustive study and government regulations over the past several decades, much less investigation has been conducted on other pollutants, particularly from friction being applied to brakes and tires. An interdisciplinary team of AirUCI researchers will use the funds to study the composition, toxicity, incidence and potential health effects of airborne particles from cars and trucks.
UCI-led study links air pollution exposure while pregnant to higher gestational diabetes risk
Pregnant women who live in Southern California areas with poor air quality have an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus, according to a recent UCI-led study. Mothers with gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, while their offspring are at higher risk for preterm birth, childhood autism and adult obesity. Jun Wu, professor of environmental and occupational health and corresponding author of the findings published in the Environment International journal, says “no prior study has systematically explored the joint effects of complex air pollution mixtures on the condition.” Recommended interventions to reduce the odds of gestational diabetes, especially among Southern California’s at-risk demographic groups, include stronger air-quality regulations, use of air filters and purifiers, early gestational diabetes screening and promotion of healthy lifestyles.
EVENTS
UCI Esports Conference 2021
Thursday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. (sponsored by UCI Esports and Connected Learning Lab)
To Form a More Perfect Union?
Thursday, noon (sponsored by UCI Humanities Center)
Reimagining the Latinx Experience in America Book Talk Series with Adriana Villavicencio, assistant professor of education, and her book, Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Educational Opportunities and Outcomes for Black and Brown Boys, Thursday, noon (sponsored by the School of Law)
How to Write a Book
Thursday, 12:15 p.m. (sponsored by UCI Law Intellectual Life)
Visit today.uci.edu to see and submit event listings. Events of general interest will be shared in UCI Digest two days before they occur.
UCI IN THE NEWS
Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.
Joleah Lamb, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, tells The Weather Channel what she sees when inspecting the oil spill zone along the Orange County coast.
Massive California oil spill was reported Friday. But nobody told the millions who went to the beaches
USA Today, Oct. 4
Cited: Distinguished Professor of Chemistry Donald Blake
Claire Vaye Watkins's Urgent, Sweaty Novel About a Woman Who's a Mess
The New York Times, Oct. 5
Reviewed: I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness by Claire Vaye Watkins, professor of English
Weighing Big Tech's Promise to Black America
Wired, Oct. 5
Cited: Mehrsa Baradaran, professor of law
#UCICONNECTED
UCI Landmark photo contest deadline is Thursday
The last day for Anteater students, faculty, staff and alumni to enter the UCI Landmark photo contest is Oct. 7. To enter for a chance to win a gift card to @thehillatuci and a spot on the UCI Instagram feed, 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
8 new campus cases
Four employees and four students tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. 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.