Study highlights impact of COVID-19 on infant food security

The study found that disruptions to formula supply and income increased the use of deleterious feeding practices. One in three families reported diluting formula with extra water or cereal, preparing smaller bottles or saving leftover mixed bottles for later use, having to travel to multiple stores or finding it too expensive. “Ultimately, our study highlights the need to include infants in assessing national household food insecurity and the importance of addressing these issues through effective government policies and support systems,” said Denise Payán, UCI assistant professor of health, society & behavior.

UCI law students serving others

Campus COVID reminders

Although there are various COVID guidance updates in the news, please remember four campus executive directives are still in effect: contact tracing, symptom check, testing and training, in addition to the UCOP policies. We all still have a policy-driven responsibility to stop the spread.

Below are additional courtesy reminders: 

• Free COVID-19 home antigen tests are still available to students, staff and faculty from various distribution locations on campus. Individuals should test if they have symptoms, and test before and after travel or attending gatherings. 

• Free face coverings are still available to students, staff and faculty from various locations on campus. While face coverings are not required to be worn on campus or in the community, students, staff and faculty are encouraged to follow CDPH Guidance for Use of Face Masks, which provides recommendations for when masks should be worn based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 community levels, as well as an individual’s level of vulnerability to severe COVID-19 symptoms. 

• If you are sick, please stay home, check yourself for symptoms of COVID-19, and test for COVID-19. If you test positive, please follow instructions to report your case to Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services and follow instructions for isolation and clearance.

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including any recommended booster doses. 

• Wash/sanitize your hands and cover your cough. 

SpeechMatters podcast - new episode

VOICE initiative applications open

The UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement application for the 2023-2024 Valuing Open and Inclusive Conversation and Engagement Initiative is open through April 28. VOICE provides funding for UC students, staff and faculty who are interested in conducting research or coordinating programs that further the center’s mission of exploring the intersection of expression, engagement and democratic learning and considering what can be done to restore trust in the value of free speech on college campuses and within society at large.

Sustainability Challenge Kick Off and Team Formation (founders of Barefoot Wines, Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey, are featured keynote speakers; registration required)
Tomorrow, 5 p.m. (sponsored by ANTrepreneur Center)

*Editor’s note: the Digest received the incorrect time for this event that ran in yesterday’s issue

Upload your vaccine and booster records

Daily COVID-19 symptom check

By coming to campus each day, students and employees are attesting they are free of COVID-19 symptoms and are not COVID-19 positive. If you currently have symptoms of COVID-19 or recently tested positive, do not come to campus, or if you currently live on campus stay in your residence, and follow instructions for reporting your case or assessing symptoms on the UCI Forward page. Close contacts to a COVID-19 case are not required to stay home or quarantine, but should follow guidance for close contact instructions for masking and testing on the UCI Forward page.

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.

UCI Forward – information on campus status and operational updates

UCI Health COVID-19 Updates – important information related to UCI Health

Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services – assistance with COVID questions including vaccines and vaccine uploads or to report a case, available at contacttracing@uci.edu or 949-824-2300

Employee Experience Center – employee information on COVID benefits

For questions specific to your personal health situation, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider.