What We've Learned - UC San Diego Student Affairs

SP22 - Weeks 7-8: Seven ate nine edition.

A fortnight to remember.

With just two weeks left before finals, we know that you’ve got a million things to try and recall for exams – and that the intricacies of COVID-based policies and recommendations aren’t as top-of-mind as they were two months (or two years!) ago when the quarter started.

A source for sore eyes. Need a break from late-night ogling of O-Chem, before all those benzene rings are hexagone-but-not-forgotten? Refer to RTL Weekly for masking, testing, and screening guidance – so that you can finish strong and stay healthy for the start of summer.

In the meantime, we’ve provided a high-key lowdown with some DL highlights below.

Mask Facts: Be N the KNow.

While cloth masks may have single-handedly launched the careers of Etsy seamstresses and seamsters back in 2020, protection-wise, they’re just not cutting it now that Ol’ Dirty ‘Cron’s sub-variants are on the scene. Regular surgical masks are better, but they rightly get a bad rap for their bad wrap – tending to fit loosely around your nose and cheeks.

Double-double, no spread. Opt for a high-quality KN95/N95 – or pair your cloth covering with a surgical mask – to do your part, Panimal Style. Be sure to comply with masking guidelines both on- and off-campus, and pick up a KNo-cost KN95 at one of these convenient mask distro locations.

Testin’ peace.

Peace of mind, that is. Testing recs are in effect (y’all) – meaning that your personal protocol is based on factors like symptoms, signals, and common sense.

Everyday I’m snifflin’. Everybody – regardless of vaccination status – needs to complete the daily symptom and exposure screener before coming to campus. And then?

Complete a free PCR test from a vending machine on campus:

IF you have symptoms;
IF you have interacted with someone who tests positive for COVID-19; or
IF you've visited a building on campus where the virus has been detected in the wastewater. Potential exposure locations are updated daily on the RTL dashboard.

I smell a RAT. What about Rapid Antigen Testing? While a positive RAT indicates infection, a negative test can potentially miss the early phases of an infection – thus providing a false negative.

Over-the-counter rapid tests are most effective:

Just before attending an in-person event; or
To ensure you are clear of the virus three-to-five days after infection is confirmed by a PCR test (see above!)
NOTE: Rapid tests are not interchangeable with PCR testing, and they don’t count toward compliance with required surveillance testing for those who are unvaccinated.

Get wRECked in Survivor trivia.

You know we love pun-laden quiz team names… consider “Conch Us if You Can” spoken for. You may not know, however, that Recreation offers a ton more than their exemplary fitness opportunities.

Rec (news)letter day. Check out daily mindfulness sessions, a variety of available student jobs, free movies, and yes, an upcoming Survivor-themed trivia night in Recreation’s latest newsletter.

Quick Hits and Bits

Want $10K while making change in your community? Check out College Corps at UC San Diego – and apply today to this statewide program offering financial compensation to eligible undergrads.