Nov. 23 - Tips for handling the holidays, Chancellor monthly message
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Hustle and bustle on Ring Road. Photo by Steve Zylius / UCI
In this continuing series, UCI experts answer questions about COVID-19, vaccinations, variants or the future of work. Submit questions via email.
'Tis the season to be... stressed? UCI psychologist Jessica Borelli shares tips on how to handle stress, grief & COVID19 complexities during the holidays:
How should I deal with family or friends who disagree with my preferences about COVID safety?
Even though we are in a better place in terms of COVID-19 than last year, in some ways the contention over COVID has only grown. If we have different preferences for health and safety than our friends or family, we (or they) may have to make the choice to abstain from holiday festivities. Worse yet, our family and friends may not understand, giving rise to hurt feelings or alienation if our practices go against theirs. Here are some recommendations to help.
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Start every conversation about preferences for safety by expressing how much you value the relationship with the other person.
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Express distancing/safety preferences clearly and directly.
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If your preferences are less restrictive, ask the other person what they would need or want to feel safe interacting.
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If you and the other person agree to not meeting in person, you may wish to identify “second best” ways of staying connected.
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If you’re feeling guilty or left out, talking about how much you wish you could be there with the people you’re missing is a way of sharing your love for them and may help reduce any guilt you have.
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
ICYMI: Monthly message from Chancellor Howard Gillman
With the days shorter and cooler, midterms over and Thanksgiving almost upon us, Chancellor Gillman shared highlights of what we have to be thankful for at UCI in his monthly message.
It's U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week is an annual observance that raises awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. According to the CDC, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the United States each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result, making it one of the most urgent threats to the public’s health. See what students at UCI Public Health are doing to address antibiotic stewardship locally and globally.
Jazz up your Thanksgiving menu with savory, plant-based dishes
Looking for something new to enliven your menus this holiday season? There are plenty of alternatives to turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy that can wow family and friends. These tasty, heart-healthy recipes deliver lots of fiber, nutrients and antioxidants that strengthen bones, protect eyesight, boost immunity and fight off cancer-causing free radicals.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
Enlightened eating: Serve your community at your Thanksgiving table
This Thanksgiving marks a welcome return to gatherings and rituals disrupted by a year of crises. For many, that comes with a renewed desire to make “thanks” and “giving” more prominent on the menu. UC experts share their tips on creating a feast that honors the people (and the planet) that make the holiday bounty possible.
A color-popping idea for Thanksgiving dessert
Want to make your holiday table pop with some unexpected color this Thanksgiving? Try purple sweet potatoes instead of your typical sweet potato and you'll have an Instagram-worthy dessert that is as healthy as it is beautiful.
Orange County Cold Weather Emergency Shelter Program
The Orange County Cold Weather Emergency Shelter Program will be open at the California National Guard Armory in Santa Ana from Dec. 1 through March 31. The program provides up to 80 beds per night for adults experiencing homelessness in Orange County. Program participants will receive a nutritious meal, access to showers and a safe place to sleep. COVID-19 testing and vaccines will be provided at the site to program participants on scheduled dates.
The latest on airline safety protocols
With the U.S. borders now open to international visitors and air traffic expected to pick up in 2022, airlines are evaluating and continuing to enhance their safety protocols. All major carriers are still disinfecting high-touch areas aboard the aircraft and in the airport on a regular basis. In addition, passengers must still wear face masks throughout their journey, regardless of vaccination status. Many carriers are also now requiring their employees to get vaccinated, or have plans to enforce such policies in the coming weeks.
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.
Opinion: The need to vaccinate our kids
The Orange County Register, Nov. 22 (Opinion)
Authors: David Souleles, director of the UCI COVID-19 Response Team, and Dr. Erlinda Ulloa, assistant professor of pediatrics at the UCI School of Medicine
UCI Health launches hospital-at-home program with DispatchHealth
Becker’s Hospital Review, Nov. 22
Cited: Chad Lefteris, CEO, UCI Health
This New Extended-Range NFC Fabric Will Allow Clothes to Talk To Each Other
Wonderful Engineering, Nov. 21
Cited: Peter Tseng, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science
#UCICONNECTED
Dear UCI student, it’s okay to feel tired. Take a nap. You deserve it.
Alltruism (“all true”) is a project supported by the Barnes & Noble Scholarship that aims to create connections through community, compassion and the creative arts. The initiative was part of The Alltruism Project, and more letters can be found on Instagram.
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