University of California is drastically relaxing its fall 2021 admissions standards for applicants who are currently high school juniors, including suspending the requirement that they take standardized tests and allowing pass/fail grades for this spring’s classes affected by the coronavirus pandemic.This is NOT a permanent change but an accommodation due to the impact of the coronavirus. Students applying for fall 2021 can still take tests (both standardized and finals) and send scores to UC if they are able. Doing so can support their UC eligibility and help fulfill some university graduation requirements. But campuses must ensure that “no student is harmed in admissions selection should they not submit a test score,” according to the UC statement.This is huge news, folks, and you may be tempted to drop the SAT or ACT like a hot potato, but please take a moment to consider. The UC schools are some of the most competitive out there, and admissions boards look for distinguishing markers for admitting students. While the requirement may be suspended, the benefits of a high SAT or ACT score still most definitely apply.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip our nation, state and county—and the Scotts Valley community.  Following up on the March 16 Santa Cruz County Public Health Order to Shelter-in-Place, as of March 19 we are living under a statewide Stay-in-Place Executive Order too, which is very similar to the County Order.  These Orders are a strong attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 transmission.  To understand the Executive Order, its exemptions for essential activities, and what the State is doing to address COVID-19, please visit the State’s new website:  http://www.covid19.ca.gov/. 

Here are some tips to help you keep the scammers at bay:Hang up on robocalls. Don’t press any numbers. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls, instead.Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores. At this time, there also are no FDA-authorized home test kits for the Coronavirus. Visit the FDA to learn more.Fact-check information. Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that hasn’t been verified. Before you pass on any messages, contact trusted sources. Visit What the U.S. Government is Doing for links to federal, state and local government agencies.Know who you’re buying from. Online sellers may claim to have in-demand products, like cleaning, household, and health and medical supplies when, in fact, they don’t.Don’t respond to texts and emails about checks from the government. The details are still being worked out. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.

I'm not sure why epidemiologists decided to use the phrase "social distancing" to refer to "the conscious effort to