Medical Center experts weigh in on safety, effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine for children
Next week, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to issue Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer and BioNTech SE COVID-19 vaccine to be given to children ages 12 to 15. Mary Caserta, a professor of pediatrics; Jennifer Nayak, an associate professor of pediatrics and of microbiology and immunology; and Elizabeth Murray, an assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine and of clinical pediatrics, explain why the COVID-19 pediatric vaccine is effective, thoroughly tested, and safe for children. Nayak also shared her expertise in an article in Forbes about why parents should get their children vaccinated.
In today’s issue:
University IT warns of last-minute tax-related scams
“Reimagine RTS,” the redesign of the transit system in Monroe County, takes effect next week, including discontinuation of direct service to the River Campus
Attend a lecture on global debt crises, part of the Experience Rochester series
Since Friday’s notice in @Rochester, there are nine new cases of COVID-19 to report: all River Campus students. Please note that the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily. Whenever a new case is known, the contact-tracing process begins immediately with confirmed exposures being contacted and required to quarantine.
The Medical Center is continuing to make vaccine clinic appointments available to all University faculty, staff, and students. Visit the URMC COVID Clinic List to register.
It’s extremely important for the health of the University community that individuals continue to adhere to the face masking and social distancing protocols. Even as some individuals are now receiving their first or second dose of the vaccine, these practices to prevent the transmission of the virus cannot be relaxed.
Grant recognizes national leadership in environmental health disparities research
The University’s Environmental Health Sciences Center has received a $7.7 million, five-year renewal grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Science. The grant marks five decades of federal support for research that has helped expand understanding of how exposure to environmental agents, such as heavy metals, air and water pollution, and pesticides, affect human health.
As the end of the extended tax season approaches—a favorite time of year for cybercriminals—University IT reminds you that it’s important to remain vigilant whether or not you’ve filed your taxes yet. Popular scam tactics include malicious actors posing as taxpayers asking their preparer to change their refund destination to a prepaid debit card. Avoid any suspicious emails with attachments, links, calls, or texts requesting social security numbers, banking accounts, or any other forms of personal identification. As always, changing your password is a great way to protect your identity. Those who receive suspicious emails from the IRS should forward them to phishing@irs.gov.
Upcoming changes to RTS routes, schedules to Medical Center and River Campus
A reminder that on Monday, May 17, Regional Transit Service (RTS) will launch “Reimagine RTS,” the redesign of its transit system in Monroe County. Changes to RTS bus routes, schedules, and bus stops will affect getting around the River Campus and the Medical Center.
As of May 17, changes will be made to the following routes to the Medical Center and the River Campus: RTS Route #48/Elmwood Ave; RTS Route #4/Genesee; and RTS Route #47. Full details on the changes are posted here.
Drop-in counseling group for international students
University Counseling Center hosts a drop-in group for international students concerned about loved ones affected by crises in their home country. The session takes place today, Monday, May 10, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. EDT via Zoom.
Rainbow Graduation
Are you LGBTQ and graduating? Join the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center and the Susan B. Anthony Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Women Studies for Rainbow Graduation. The virtual ceremony takes place Monday, May 17, from 1 to 2 p.m. EDT; cords and certificates will be mailed to you. The in-person ceremony takes place Monday, May 17, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. followed by cupcakes and karaoke on the quad. Register here.
Would you like to learn more about your University staff tuition benefits? Are you curious about different graduate programs and their application timelines, and wondering how graduate school will benefit you professionally and what challenges you might run into along the way? This Zoom event, cohosted by the Emerging Leaders and the Office of University Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, will feature a panel discussion and breakout rooms with colleagues who have recently taken advantage of their tuition benefits. Feel free to turn off your camera and eat lunch during the first half of the event, taking place Wednesday, May 12, from noon to 1 p.m. EDT. Advanced registration is required.
Send in your digital teaching ideas
The past year has provided ample opportunity for faculty members and instructors to develop innovative applications for digital tools and approaches to education. If you’ve been successful in this area, share your results with DigITaL (Digital Ideas in Teaching and Learning), Rochester’s open-access site for case studies related to the digital classroom. DigITaL is accepting proposals until Friday, June 4, at 11:59 p.m. Contact Kristen Totleben, River Campus Libraries; Stu Jordan, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning; or Jason Wagner, Arts, Sciences, & Engineering IT, with questions.
'Learn to Run' programs
New to running, or looking to run with a group? Join Well-U and Max Effort Training for two upcoming eight-week training programs designed for beginner or intermediate runners. Anyone who signs up for either program will automatically be entered into a raffle to win a Fitbit. Attend a virtual overview at 4:30 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 17, for the beginner program or Tuesday, May 18, for the intermediate program. Email Well-U with questions.
COVID-19 has brought enormous challenges for emerging markets with large death tolls, deep recessions, and worsened fiscal conditions in some countries. Join Yan Bai, a professor of economics, to learn about the connections between public debt and the epidemic in these countries and the challenges that they face in their recovery from COVID-19. Register here for the event, presented as part of the Experience Rochester series, on Wednesday, May 12, from noon to 1 p.m. EDT.
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