UC ANR COVID-19 Update: Safety standards updated with new requirements; Hispanic Heritage Month; Town Hall 9/17

UC ANR COVID-19 safety standards updated with new requirements
To ensure that UC ANR's safety standards conform with UC guidance and with the State's guidance for Institutes of Higher Education, the Emergency Response Team (ERT) has prepared the Modified Stage 2 Safety Standards, Addendum #2. The addendum must be attached to each location's site and program-specific safety plan and the updated information must be shared with the employees and volunteers working at your location. 

Some of the new information of note that is included in this addendum:

• New stricter guidance regarding face coverings/masks 
• Face coverings/masks are required when: a) interacting in-person with any member of the public; b) working in any space visited by members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time; c) working in any space where food is prepared or packaged; d) working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, etc. 
• Face coverings may be removed when working in a private office or workspace that is inaccessible to the public.
• No indoor meetings (for Counties on State Monitoring List or experiencing widespread disease transmission)
• Enhanced investigation and follow-up protocols on COVID positive employees now required
• Monthly review/update of Location Safety Plans now required
• Discontinue use of drinking fountains – water bottle refill stations may still be used
• Ensure implementation of distancing/access controls – such as signage to mark 6' distances in any waiting areas or barriers to control access at reception desks, etc. 
• All visitors must now complete symptom screening when coming onsite

We continue to monitor changes in the state's guidance and will adapt UC ANR's safety standards as necessary.

Hispanic Heritage Month
Register now for ANR's upcoming events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15. News and Information Outreach in Spanish is hosting four virtual events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) which recognizes Hispanics' contributions and vital presence in the United States. All events will be held in English. Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Events will be on Fridays from 3:00-4:30 PM on the following dates:

Sept. 18:  Discussion and Documentary: The Mexican American Deportation

Sept. 25:  Meet the HHM 2020 ANR Honorees: Claudia Diaz, Sonia Ríos, Javier Miramontes

Oct. 2:  Discussion and Documentary: The Chicano Moratorium and the Zoot Suit Riots

Oct. 9:  COVID-19 and Hispanics

Find out more about the events here. Contacts for further information: Ricardo Vela, ANR News & Information Outreach or ANR Program Support Unit, 530-750-1361.

Sept. 17 Town Hall
Mark your calendars for the UC ANR Town Hall focusing on Hispanic Heritage Month on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 1:30-2:30 PM. Login info and past recordings are located at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/All_Hands/.

Zoom Info 
https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/99952515909?pwd=ZEpBSm5jYkFmVTQ1VUxPUWpHR0h5UT09; Password: 559926; Webinar ID: 999 5251 5909
By telephone: US +1 669-900-6833  or +1 253-215-8782  or +1 346-248-7799  or +1 301-715-8592  or +1 312-626-6799  or +1 646-558-8656  
International numbers available: https://ucanr.zoom.us/u/aep8C9Dy84

Celebration Corner

Summer 2020 presented an opportunity to re-imagine activities for 4-H programs throughout California. With in-person events and overnight camps cancelled, 4-H staff and volunteers forged ahead to plan engaging virtual camp experiences. Two examples of their success were the “Our Wild California” and “4-H Grown at Home” virtual summer camps. Each week-long camp engaged more than 100 youth in online learning about anything from fire science to Zentangle. Another success was the 4-H Virtual Code Camp presented by the California 4-H Computer Science Team; more than 60 students learned from teen-led coding activities for varying skill levels. Additionally, more than 70 Latinx youth participated in the first virtual version of the annual California Juntos Academy that included sessions on career exploration and navigating higher education. 

Glenda Humiston
Vice President

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