Dec. 1 - Handling holiday office parties, UCI Health house calls
Section 1
House caller: The UCI Health-DispatchHealth SUV is now making visits to patients’ homes with medical caregivers, treatments and diagnostic equipment. “UCI Health is honored to be the first healthcare system in California to offer our patients and the community this innovative service,” says CEO Chad T. Lefteris. Photo courtesy of UCI Health
n 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 and COVID-19 complexities during the holidays:
How do I navigate office holiday parties or networking events?
Networking and socializing are still different. Wearing masks, maintaining physical distance (either 6 feet apart or via virtual events), staying aware of people’s preferences for socializing – all of this changes the dynamics of networking and business. It increases the importance of consent in all aspects of social interactions (e.g., “Is it OK with you if I sit near you?” “Are you comfortable with eating and/or drinking?”) and forces us to be cognizant of the ways each of our actions impacts others. Although COVID undoubtedly makes many aspects of social interactions more difficult, it does offer opportunities for greater building of trust within relationships. By showing that you honor and respect another person’s boundaries and wishes, you are able to demonstrate your trustworthiness within a relationship, which can ultimately be good for long-term business relationships.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
The New York Times
The coronavirus in a tiny drop
A new simulation shows how the virus survives inside tiny airborne particles of water. This may give clues about how the delta variant became dominant.
First U.S. omicron case identified in California
A San Francisco resident who had been vaccinated holds the dubious distinction of being the first in the country identified with the new strain of the COVID-19 virus. “This is the first case of COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant detected in the United States,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, speaking at the White House, said of the traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive on Nov. 29.
Omicron concerns prompt U.S. to consider tougher travel rules
The CDC plans to require international travelers to provide negative results from tests taken within 24 hours of departure.
New fact sheet: the omicron variant
The California Department of Public Health has published a new fact sheet that addresses what is currently known about the variant, what the state is doing in response, how Californians can protect themselves and more.
A reason for omicron optimism: Immune systems are not blank slates
The emergence of the variant with a startlingly large constellation of mutations has countries around the world sounding alarms. While omicron may more easily sidestep some of the immunity of some vaccinated and previously infected people, there’s good reason to think those who already have some immune protections may avoid the worst of what infections can do to immunologically naïve people.
EVENTS
UCI-National Labs Connections Inaugural Two-day Forum
Thursday, 3 p.m., in-person or virtual & Friday, 8 a.m., in-person only (sponsored by School of Engineering)
Walk-in Flu Vaccine Clinic
Friday, 10 a.m. (sponsored by UCI Program in Public Health Student Volunteer Core)
A Fireside Chat with Fiona Hill
Friday, noon (sponsored by UCI Center for Peacebuilding)
Native | Non Native | Supernatural: a Conversation with Guillermo Galindo
Friday, 2 p.m. (sponsored by UCI Illuminations)
Issue Release Party & Open Mic
Friday, 7 p.m. (sponsored by New Forum)
New Slate showcase of original choreography
Friday, 8 p.m. (sponsored by Department of Dance)
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
I Was Raped by My Father. An Abortion Saved My Life.
The New York Times, Nov. 30
Author: Michele Goodwin, Chancellor’s Professor of law and founding director of the Center for Biotechnology and Global Health Policy
Racially charged trials were less politically polarized in the past
The Washington Post, Nov. 30
Co-author: Michael Tesler, associate professor of political science
6 Lessons on the Future of the Metaverse From the Creator of Second Life
Time, Nov. 26
Cited: Tom Boellstorff, professor of anthropology