Daily Business Report-Aug. 7, 2020
SDSU faculty and students are exploring new technologies that can be utilized to facilitate virtual performances in this time of social distancing. (Credit: SDSU)
SDSU lecturer creating a virtual theater experience
Sam Shpigelman’s response to industry hit hard by coronavirus
By Christian Alvarez and Georgia Burgé | SDSU
The world of performing arts is among many industries hit hard by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Ongoing projects and productions suddenly came to a halt as theaters and studios were forced to close down.
Amid these challenging times, Sam Shpigelman, a lecturer in San Diego State University’s School of Theatre, Television, and Film, found a way to adapt by using cutting-edge technologies to bring shows to life in a digital format.
Shpigelman is currently working with several students to explore the new technologies — 3D animation and visualization, virtual reality and gaming — that can be utilized to facilitate virtual performances in this time of social distancing.
“The industry is going in that direction, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the virtual art is going to replace real art in the long run,” Shpigelman said. “I am positive that live performing arts will always be there because people want to see and be involved in live events.”
Shpigelman has found there are a few different ways to bring performances to life without ever having an actor set foot on a physical stage. The first is actors and actresses recording themselves delivering their performance in front of a green screen in their homes. The footage of their performance can then be placed onto an entirely computer-generated stage, complete with other actors and set pieces.
The second method Shpigelman is exploring is the use of motion capture technology to create digital avatars that mimic actors’ movements on stage.
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San Diego City Council adopts
relief measures for small businesses
sdnews.com
Mayor Kevin Faulconer won unanimous City Council approval on Aug. 4 for two measures that will offer greater opportunity for small and disadvantaged businesses to stay in business and follow public health orders during these difficult times.
Together these measures aim to reactivate the local economy safely and inclusively by allowing more business owners affected by the state’s indoor activity restrictions to operate outdoors while also specifically allocating funding to support historically underserved businesses hit hardest during this pandemic.
“Mom-and-pop shops, especially in communities of concern, are struggling to keep up with changing rules despite doing everything they can just to survive this economic crisis,” Faulconer said. “Whether it’s allowing a barber to set up shop in a parking lot or providing a grant that helps a restaurant make payroll, we know small changes can make a big difference between closing for now or closing for good.”
Expanding Outdoor Business
The first measure cemented Faulconer’s executive order allowing businesses – including gyms, churches, barbershops, nail salons – to expand their operations into private parking lots, sidewalks and on-street parking.
Inclusive Economic Recovery
The second measure paves the way for a nonprofit partnership to be formed to connect businesses facing increased barriers to economic relief.
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County to host coronavirus testing
center at Cal State San Marcos
Cal State San Marcos will host a San Diego County-operated, walk-up coronavirus testing site beginning Monday, Aug. 10, expanding critical testing services to North County residents. CSUSM students, faculty and staff – along with members of the public — will have access to free COVID-19 testing, which is essential in the ongoing effort to contain the pandemic and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The testing center, which is open to the public seven days a week, will operate independently of the university within the Viasat Engineering Pavilion, at 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos.
After a thorough evaluation of potential sites on campus, it was determined that the Viasat Engineering Pavilion would be the optimal location to ensure the safety and security of both the campus community and visitors arriving to be tested.
While CSUSM is providing testing space, all operations of the testing center will be managed by the County of San Diego, including custodial services and security. No CSUSM employees will be involved in the operation.
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NASSCO to modernize Navy amphibious
assault ship under $131 million contract
GovCon Wire
General Dynamics’ NASSCO subsidiary has been awarded a potential $130.9 million contract to help the U.S. Navy modernize, repair and maintain the Wasp-class USS Bataan amphibious assault ship.
NASSCO will carry out the vessel’s selected restricted availability for fiscal year 2020 under the firm-fixed-price contract, the Department of Defense said.
Naval Sea Systems Command received one offer for the project via a full and open competition within the East Coast and Gulf Coast areas. The branch will obligate $106.9 million at the time of award from its FY 2020 operations and maintenance and other procurement funds.
Work will take place in Norfolk, Va., through December 2021.
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EPA orders S.D. company to stop
selling unregistered product with
unsubstantiated anti-coronavirus claims
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered EcoShield LLC, operating in San Diego, to stop selling the clip-on badge Eco AirDoctor Portable. This product is an unregistered product making false disinfectant claims in violation of federal law, the agency said.
The stop sale order follows a series of enforcement actions the agency has taken to protect human health and the environment from misleading and harmful claims during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Some of these actions include Amazon and eBay and the “Virus Shut Out” product imported into California.
“Unregistered disinfectant products, especially during a pandemic, may cause injury to consumers,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Administrator John Busterud. “EPA remains vigilant and will continue to protect the health and safety of Americans from products that falsely claim to be effective against COVID-19.”
Eco AirDoctor Portable, a self-described “personal air sanitizer,” directs users to hang the badge from their shirts or backpacks and releases chlorine dioxide gas to purportedly sanitize the air of pathogens. EcoShield also claims on its website and social media that the product is a “safe and effective germ-killing agent” and implies it protects against the coronavirus which causes COVID-19. Other concerns include prolonged exposure to and inhalation of chlorine dioxide gas, which can adversely affect the health of users.
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JetBlue marks inaugural flight
to New Jersey from San Diego
Thursday marked JetBlue’s inaugural flight from San Diego International Airport to Newark, N.J. via Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). JetBlue is the only carrier that offers nonstop service to two New York area airports, EWR and John F. Kennedy International Airport, from San Diego. Other routes JetBlue serves from San Diego are Boston Logan International Airport and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.
“This route will serve as a vital link between San Diego and the northeast U.S.,” said Kimberly Becker, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority president and CEO. “Those with essential travel needs during these challenging times will greatly appreciate the convenience.”
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Governor under fire for efforts on massive
backlog of claims at Unemployment Department
California lawmakers are not impressed with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s attempts to address a massive backlog of claims at the state unemployment department.
A bipartisan group of 61 legislators led by Assemblymember David Chiu, a San Francisco Democrat, sent Newsom a scathing letter Wednesday, arguing that the governor’s new “strike team,” tasked with coming up with a blueprint for overhauling the department’s outdated technology, doesn’t go nearly far enough. They also decried the governor’s goal of eliminating a backlog of 1 million claims by the end of September, demanding he commit to an earlier date.
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San Diego may have overcharged property
owners thousands in granny flat permit fees
If you’re one of the hundreds of property owners who built a granny flat in San Diego since 2017, you might have been overcharged thousands of dollars in fees.
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Drug candidate shown to reverse
Alzheimer’s-like memory decline
A drug candidate developed by Salk researchers, and previously shown to slow aging in brain cells, successfully reversed memory loss in a mouse model of inherited Alzheimer’s disease. The new research, published online in July 2020 in the journal Redox Biology, also revealed that the drug, CMS121, works by changing how brain cells metabolize fatty molecules known as lipids.
“This was a more rigorous test of how well this compound would work in a therapeutic setting than our previous studies on it,” says Pamela Maher, a senior staff scientist in the lab of Salk Professor David Schubert and the senior author of the new paper. “Based on the success of this study, we’re now beginning to pursue clinical trials.”
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Exposure to common cold coronaviruses can
teach immune system to recognize COVID-19
Your immune system’s “memory” T cells keep track of the viruses they have seen before. This immune cell memory gives the cells a headstart in recognizing and fighting off repeat invaders.
Now a new study led by scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology shows that memory helper T cells that recognize common cold coronaviruses also recognize matching sites on SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The research, published Aug. 4, 2020 in Science, may explain why some people have milder COVID-19 cases than others—though the researchers emphasize that this is speculation and much more data is needed.
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Implanted neural stem cell grafts show
functionality in spinal cord injuries
Using stem cells to restore lost functions due to spinal cord injury (SCI) has long been an ambition of scientists and doctors. Nearly 18,000 people in the United States suffer SCIs each year, with another 294,000 persons living with an SCI, usually involving some degree of permanent paralysis or diminished physical function, such as bladder control or difficulty breathing.
In a new study, published Aug. 5, 2020 in Cell Stem Cell , researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine report successfully implanting highly specialized grafts of neural stem cells directly into spinal cord injuries in mice, then documenting how the grafts grew and filled the injury sites, integrating with and mimicking the animals’ existing neuronal network.
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Stephanie Cook named the new executive
director of San Diego Women’s Foundation
Stephanie Cook has been named the new executive director of the San Diego Women’s Foundation, rising from her previous role as manager of programs and member engagement for the foundation.
Cook has an educational background in intersectional feminism. She has a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and is an alumna of San Diego State University where she graduated with a B.A. in Women’s Studies. In addition to her involvement with SDWF, Cook is also a board member for Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of San Diego where she helps with programming.
In her new role, Cook will be responsible for upholding SDWF’s mission of connecting, educating, and inspiring women to come together in collective philanthropy.
“Over the past two years, I have watched SDWF members embrace philanthropic best practices, take on tough issues with our grants, and work to understand and implement diversity, equity and inclusion strategies,” said Cook. “I am constantly inspired by our members’ eagerness to learn and grow, and I look forward to working with our incredible network of changemakers to improve lives in our community.”
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Tony Russell is new chairman of
United Way board of directors
Tony R. Russell is the new chair of the United Way of San Diego County Board of Directors.
Russellhas served on the board since 2017. He is a founding member of the United Way of San Diego County’s Emerging Leaders, and is a former member of United Way of San Diego’s Campaign Cabinet. He has served on multiple committees to advance UWSD’s mission. Russell is also currently a board member and served two terms as the chair of the Board of Advisors of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA and the YMCA of San Diego County.
Russell has been with the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority since 2003 in the role of director, board services/authority clerk, and holds over 30 years of experience in local and municipal government, specifically in corporate and information governance. His expertise includes managing legislative meetings of city councils and local government boards of directors, and ensuring compliance with corporate and information governance laws and regulations.
During his tenure with the Airport Authority, Russell established its employee, family and friends volunteer program, which continues to participate in numerous volunteer events throughout San Diego County, including the Day of Action and Stamp-Out Hunger events for the United Way of San Diego County.
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CBRE’s Luis Morejon appointed
to Southwest region leadership role
CBRE announced that Senior Managing Director Luis Morejon has been appointed to oversee the management of client portfolios in the U.S. Southwest region—including the San Diego, Los Angeles and Phoenix markets—for CBRE’s Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) business.
Morejon’s 20 years of professional experience include leading corporate real estate and facilities management teams on behalf of major corporations. He most recently led GWS account teams in the U.S. West region.
Additionally, Morejon has again been named to the board of directors of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). This is the second consecutive year Morejon has been appointed to this role; he will continue to oversee the association’s Americas Advisory Board, with the main goal of growing the relevance of the FM profession in the region.
IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management, supporting of 23,000 members in more than 100 countries. The organization is comprised of 142 chapters.
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UC San Diego Ranks Second in Forbes’
‘America’s Best Employers for Women’
The University of California San Diego ranks second among higher education institutions in Forbes’ third annual ranking of the best employers for women, which the publication recently announced. The campus is listed 46th overall among 300 companies across the country selected for their culture, diversity, development opportunities and flexibility.
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S.D. Women’s Week Leadership Conference Goes Global
New virtual format with no boundaries features Daymond John, Linda Cureton, Ed Smart, Amy Trask
San Diego Women’s Week, celebrating 11 years of inspiring, empowering and connecting women is now virtual with leadership events for all ages and professions. Attendees enjoy virtual networking, keynote speakers, panel discussions, and more, all wrapped around creative solutions to everyday issues affecting leaders in the workplace and in their daily lives.
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 26 – Friday, Aug. 28, 2020
WHO: Keynotes for 2020 Leadership conference include:
- Daymond John from Shark Tank: Powershift, Transform Any Situation, Close Any Deal, and Achieve Any Outcome.
- Linda Cureton, Former CIO – NASA: Managing and Leading in a Tough Environment.
- Ed Smart, Father of Elizabeth Smart: Two Miracles, and Standing up for Yourself.
- Amy Trask, Former NFL Team Executive – Los Angeles Raiders: Leadership Vulnerabilities.
WHERE: Wednesday – Virtual Women and Wine 6-7:30 p.m.
Friday – Virtual Leadership Conference 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Click here for complete list of speakers and additional details.
