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Return to Learn Weekly, from UC San Diego

May 18, 2022

In Case You Missed It

COVID-19 Safety Tips

As we move through the pandemic, we thank members of the UC San Diego community for their efforts to maintain a safe campus by exercising personal responsibility and caring for each other in respectful ways.
Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are still active in our community, and there are many preventative and proactive steps you can take to minimize the impact to you and your family, friends, colleagues and others.

Masking

Masking with KN95, N95 or a double mask (cloth + surgical mask) remains one of the most effective ways of reducing the spread of the virus and risk of acquiring an infection. Please fully comply with masking guidelines wherever you are on or off campus. When provided a choice, it is highly recommended that you mask in the presence of large numbers of individuals. Examples include concerts, special events, sporting events, gyms, places of worship, public transportation, meetings, shopping and dining (unless actively eating or drinking). Keep a mask with you at all times, and when in doubt, wear your mask.

Vaccination and Boosting

Receiving a primary COVID-19 vaccine and subsequent boosters when you are eligible is effective in preventing hospitalization and death. Chances of hospitalization and death are greater in unvaccinated individuals and those with underlying health conditions. Primary vaccination without boosting is less effective. Vaccination provides some reduction in the risk of infection, but infection despite full vaccination can occur.
Primary vaccination and booster appointments are available on campus at the Price Center and at the La Jolla Medical Center’s drive-up location. UC San Diego students, faculty and staff can schedule an appointment online. Vaccines and boosters are also available at pharmacies and through your medical provider.

Symptom Screener and PCR Testing Recommendations

  • Complete the daily symptom and exposure screener, and take advantage of the free PCR testing on campus IF you have symptoms. 
  • Get a free PCR test on campus IF you have interacted with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 or IF you have visited a building on campus where the virus has been detected in the wastewater. Potential exposure locations are updated daily on the Return to Learn dashboard. 
  • Test two and five days after attending large in-person events. 
  • Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated individuals are required to test twice a week if they are coming to campus.

Rapid Antigen Tests

Understand when over-the-counter rapid antigen testing is useful. 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. Rapid testing is not interchangeable with PCR testing.

Upcoming Town Halls

Staff Town Hall

Friday, May 27 at noon

Faculty and Research Town Hall

Thursday, June 16 at 1:30 p.m.

Student Wellness 

You are not alone. There are peers who are experiencing similar challenges and breakthroughs. Connect with others at a free community forum hosted by CAPS. Forums include topics such as social justice issues, racial trauma, stress, anxiety, family/cultural pressures, coping with grief and more.

Employee Wellness

Are you looking for ways to strengthen your emotional resiliency? Or perhaps you'd like to explore tools to manage stress. Campus employees are invited to join classes, workshops and support groups hosted by the Faculty & Staff Assistance Program on a variety of topics.

Your Questions Answered

Question: What should I do if I may have been exposed?
Answer: Use the daily symptom and exposure screener tool to indicate that you may have been exposed. You will receive an email/message with a link to schedule a PCR test or you can also call UC San Diego’s Testing Support Line at 619-543-8260 and a representative will help you determine if you should be tested sooner than your next scheduled test. COVID-19 tests are offered at no cost if conducted at a UC San Diego Health location or a COVID-19 test kit vending machine.
If you have a confirmed exposure, please note that specific quarantine instructions are based on your vaccination status and affiliation. Further information is available on the Exposure and Contact Tracing webpage. 
Question: If I am pregnant or planning to become pregnant, can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Answer: According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant now, as well as people who might become pregnant in the future. People with COVID-19 during pregnancy are more likely to deliver a preterm (earlier than 37 weeks) or stillborn infant and may also be more likely to have other pregnancy complications.
COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy helps:
Learn more about vaccination considerations and the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Question: What are the ingredients in COVID-19 vaccines?
Answer: Vaccine ingredients vary by manufacturer. According to the CDC, none of the vaccines contain eggs, gelatin, latex, or preservatives. All COVID-19 vaccines are free from metals, such as iron, nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth alloys. They are also free from manufactured products such as microelectronics, electrodes, carbon nanotubes, and nanowire semiconductors. None of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized or approved in the United States contain any live virus.
To learn more about the ingredients in authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines, see:
To learn more, visit the Return to Learn Questions & Answers page.
If you have specific questions or would like to submit feedback about the Return to Learn program, please email rtl@ucsd.edu.
University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093
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