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Synapse Newspaper The UCSF Student
synapse.ucsf.edu | Thursday, February 19, 2015 | Volume 59, Number 9
SCENE OF SOLIDARITY
News Briefs » Area Code Change
The California Public Utilities Commission approved a new “628” area code for San Francisco, Marin and a small portion of San Mateo counties taking effect on Feb. 21. Residents and businesses with a 415 area code will now be required to dial a 10-digit number that includes the area code, even when calling another 415 number. Beginning March 21, new telephone lines or services may be assigned to the new area code overlay using the 628 area code. The new area code overlay will not impact the internal 5-digit dialing currently in use at UCSF for numbers starting with 476, 514, 502, 885 and 353. For more information visit cpuc.ca.gov/ PUC/Telco/generalInfo.
Anthem Phishing Scams
Still reeling from the civil rights demonstrations that took place in December, the nation’s college campuses again rallied recently at vigils for three Muslim students murdered last week in Chapel Hill, N.C., allegedly over a parking dispute. Victims included Deah Barakat, whose sister Suzanne is a resident in UCSF’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Photos by David Hand/School of Dentistry UCSF community members organized the candlelight vigil above on Thursday, Feb. 12, in the memorial garden at the SFGH Family Health Center. See Synapse Editor-in-Chief Jenny Qi’s reflections about the shootings on page 4, and check the Calendar on page 2 for information on Monday’s “White Coats for Black Lives” dialogues on improving campus diversity.
UC schools to require immunizations
By Lauren Shields Staff Writer
In the wake of the recent measles outbreak around the country, UC has issued a statement that they will require incoming students to be vaccinated for measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, meningococcus, tetanus and whooping cough starting in 2017, in addition to the currently required hepatitis B vaccine. Measles, once declared eliminated, had a record number of cases in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This increase resulted from decreased vaccination rates, as low as 36 percent in some California pre-schools according to the Los Angeles Times. Measles vaccination rates decreased
largely due to a 1998 retracted publication linking vaccinations with autism. Vaccinations promote public health by creating herd immunity, where the majority vaccinated population shields the young, immuno-compromised, or old who are unable to receive the vaccine. As UCSF and Gladstone virologist J.J. Miranda said, “It’s one of those things where some people opting out will do damage even if everyone else opts in.” Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein asserted their support of vaccination policies, asking California’s Health and Human Secretary to reconsider the state’s current exemptions. These exemptions allow parents to circumvent required school vaccinations on personal or religious grounds. The senators stated, “There
should be no such thing as a philosophical or personal belief exemption, since everyone uses public spaces.” Their statement was released just a week before health officials issued a report that BART riders may have been exposed to the measles virus by an infected commuter. Officials have said that the risk of infection is low and vaccinated individuals should not be concerned, but anyone exhibiting the
Following a Feb. 4 cyber attack on insurance provider Anthem that breached the data of 80 million members, UCSF’s Student Health and Counseling Services advises enrollees in the UC SHIP health plan to be vigilant of phishing scams asking for personal information. These scams are made to appear as if they are from Anthem, and the emails include a “click here” link for credit monitoring. There is no indication that the scam e-mail campaigns are being conducted by those who committed the cyber attack, or that the information accessed in the attack is being used by the scammers. Anthem will contact current and former members via mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service with specific information on how to enroll in credit monitoring. Affected members will receive free credit monitoring and ID protection services. Anthem has created a dedicated website (AnthemFacts.com) where current and former members can find information. Members may also call 1-877-263-7995.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
characteristic rash and possible flu-like symptoms should see a doctor. Lauren Shields is a fourth-year BMS student.