Combatendo um Novo Inimigo: Como a Pandemia Mudou a Atuação dos Bombeiros


 Street - level bureaucrats are professionals whose main role consists in the implementation of public policies at a community level, guiding themselves through the use of autonomy and discretion.. In this narrative review of literature 44 articles that had information about street level bureaucracy regarding healthcare workers in the covid 19 pandemic in specific countries (China, United States, Italy, Brazil, Mexico and Colombia) were selected from various databases and analyzed to explore how the implementation of health public policies during the current COVID - 19 outbreak impacted and shaped the work of healthcare workers. Various ideas were extracted and analyzed using the street level bureaucracy model as a reference point. We concluded that street level bureaucrats have played a crucial role in this pandemic and that providing them with government support, clear public policies and enough resources is essential for them to correctly manage public health problems. Further research needs to be done regarding the consequences brought upon street level bureaucrats by the pandemic and the impact that street level bureaucrats have had in countries like Colombia. 

Street-level health bureaucrats have actively contributed to implementing the COVID-19 prevention, control, and treatment policies of the Myanmar government. However, the need for bureaucrats on the frontlines of policy implementation to maintain a safe distance from others to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has posed challenges for the sharing and exchange of information related to health risks. In this context, this study examined what health risk communication patterns have emerged and developed among street-level health bureaucrats during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how this risk communication has been affected by street-level health bureaucrats’ perceptions of client meaningfulness and willingness to implement COVID-19 policies. The results reveal that street-level health bureaucrats in the health risk communication network are embedded in reciprocally or transitively connected discussion relationships that sustain their health risk communication over time. Moreover, when specific healthcare staff members perceive more benefits of COVID-19 policies for their patients and are more willing to care for patients, other healthcare staff avoid them to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection. Due to their higher level of understanding of the adopted measures, healthcare staff members who are highly willing to implement COVID-19 policies are frequently approached by other staff members to communicate about COVID-19 issues. This study empirically contributes to the literature on street-level bureaucrats in times of pandemic crisis by examining the formation of health risk communications in the context of street-level health bureaucrats’ responses to and participation in public healthcare policy implementation processes.

Resumo Neste artigo são analisadas as múltiplas dimensões da atuação dos burocratas de nível de rua no contexto brasileiro da implementação de políticas públicas. O objetivo do ensaio é contribuir para uma maior compreensão do tema com uma abordagem analítica expandida. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica em bases digitais acadêmicas que permitiu identificar e selecionar trabalhos nacionais e internacionais de acordo com critérios metodologicamente definidos. As publicações obtidas foram analisadas e organizadas em razão das seguintes categorias conceituais: discricionariedade, estruturas, ação individual e relações. Da tensão sobre regras e discricionariedade na administração pública, a análise e a interpretação desses textos evidenciaram: a) a necessidade de cotejar, separadamente e em conjunto, três diferentes perspectivas da atuação dos burocratas de nível de rua (a perspectiva estrutural, a de ação individual e a relacional); b) a necessidade de compreender a articulação dessas perspectivas no próprio processo de implementação. Após este trabalho de revisão bibliográfica foram formuladas hipóteses para uma análise expandida da atuação dos burocratas implementadores, traçando-se linhas para pesquisas futuras sobre o tema. Este ensaio contribui para o debate sobre o tema com um construto teórico inédito, que busca integrar as três diferentes perspectivas analíticas apresentadas numa síntese dialética dos conceitos centrais da literatura sobre a implementação de políticas públicas pelos burocratas de nível de rua.

Review question / Objective: This scoping review aims to systematize the scientific knowledge about the relationship between public opinion concerning the street-level bureaucrats’ actions and their perceptions about Welfare Deservingness and social protection measures implemented within the framework of the current Welfare State. In a more concrete way, we intend to demonstrate the following assumptions: (a) if there is a connection between the perception of Welfare Deservingness and the public support given to social policies; (b) if there are more valued dimensions of Welfare Deservingness in public opinion; and (c) if the street-level bureaucrats' perceptions of Welfare Deservingness will have an impact on the implementation of public policies.

Abstract: Dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic requires that the State make hard decisions that involve the action of bureaucrats who interact with the population through the implementation of public policy, the street-level bureaucracy (SLB). In this paper, based on a mixed- method exploratory study, we analyze how the daily performance of street-level bureaucrats in different policy areas- health and social care, access to the justice system, public security and education - has changed during the pandemic. We also explore the repercussions of those changes. Based on the analysis of the perceptions of bureaucrats, changes in their work and in their relationship with the public, we identify three categories that illustrate the dynamics of SLB work during the pandemic: the SLB who faces the crisis on the front lines; the SLB who suffers the effects of the pandemic, but whose work does not require her to face it directly; and the SLB who began to work remotely. We conclude that, during the pandemic, SLB suffered in varying degrees an aggravation of structural problems, such as their removal from decision-making processes - now restricted to the highest government level - and the exacerbation of already existing conflicts and ambiguities.

Background: Meningitis is defined as inflammation of the tissues surrounding the spinal cord and brain, with bacterial, viral, or aseptic etiologies. The disease is endemic in Brazil and is transmitted through respiratory droplets. Among the known etiologies, viral meningitis is the most common, accounting for approximately 46% of all cases, and showing higher prevalence in the fall, spring, and summer, reflecting the dominance of enterovirus infections such as Coxsackie and Echovirus. To date, there are no studies addressing the prevalence of viral meningitis in southeastern Brazil over the past 10 years, despite it being a significant public health concern. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of the prevalence and mortality of viral meningitis in southeastern Brazil from 2013 to 2023. Methods: This is a descriptive ecological study of confirmed cases and deaths from viral meningitis in the southeast of Brazil, obtained from the Notifiable Diseases Information System. The study included users of the Unified Health System from January 2013 to May 2023. The following variables were analyzed: age group, deaths, notification region, and state. Results: In the period analyzed, the data showed that, in terms of the spatial distribution of the number of cases of viral meningitis, the Southeast region had the highest prevalence and the highest number of deaths among the regions of Brazil, representing 43,055 notified cases (61.8%), with the majority in the population in the aged group of 1 to 4 years, with 11,943 cases (27.7%) and 570 deaths (1.3% of cases) across all age groups. In the Southeast region, São Pulo state stood out with the highest prevalence and deaths, accounting for 37,549 cases (87.2%) and 406 deaths (71.2%). However, as described in the literature, sometimes, because it is a disease with fewer complications and a greater likelihood of progressing to a cure even without intervention, there are many unrecorded cases, especially in areas with difficult geographical access and limited health services coverage. In addition, cases that progress to death may also be underreported when recorded as having an unspecified cause. Conclusion: Viral meningitis is prevalent in the Southeast region of Brazil, especially in the state of São Paulo and among preschool aged children. These findings reinforce the need to improve actions to identify and prevent the disease, as well as the importance of including accurate notifications by healthcare. Moreover, it is plausible to make the population aware of the signs and symptoms to ensure that care is sought promptly. These efforts are essential for monitoring the disease´s epidemiological characteristics and implementing effective interventions.

This study explains the dynamics of non-state actors’ involvement in implementing a land redistribution program in Cipari, Cilacap, Indonesia. The urgency of this study is the massive involvement of non-state actors in the implementation of land redistribution programs while lacking analysis found for the dimension of horizontalism in the implementation of public policies, especially related to the land redistribution program as a part of land reform policy programs in Indonesia. This study focuses on the involvement of non-state actors, the role of Street-Level Bureaucrats (SLBs), and the relationship between SLBs and Local Farmers Organizations (LFO). This study implemented a qualitative approach with a case study strategy. The key informants consisted of village heads, village officials, LFO administrators, and administrators of LFO advocate organizations. We performed observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation reviews for data collection and implemented thematic data analysis. Three main findings include the non-state actors’ involvements since the colonial era (pre-independence), the old order, the new order, to post-reformation, the role of SLBs as state actors dominating the implementation of the land redistribution program, and the negotiation relationship between SLBs and LFO showing the SLBs as the winner.

Survey of natural infection by Leishmania in sand fly species collected in southeastern Brazil

BACKGROUNDInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can lead to social and economic impacts worldwide. In Brazil, where its adult prevalence is increasing, the epidemiology of the pediatric population is not well known, although there is a documented increase in pediatric IBD incidence worldwide. Brazil has continental dimensions, and Espírito Santo is a state of southeastern Brazil, the region with the highest demographic densities and is the economically most important in the country.AIMTo assess the prevalence, incidence, phenotype and medications in a Southeastern Brazilian pediatric population.METHODSData were retrieved from the Public Medication-Dispensing System of the Department of Health in Espírito Santo state from documentation required to have access to highly expensive medication from August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2014. There were 1048 registered patients with IBD of all ages, and of these patients, the cases ≤ 17 years were selected. The data were obtained through the analysis of administrative requests for these medications and included medical reports, endoscopy exams, histopathology and imaging tests, which followed the Clinical Protocols and Therapeutic Guidelines of the Brazilian Government. Only confirmed cases of IBD were included in the study.RESULTSThere were 55 pediatric patients/1048 registered patients (5.34%), with Crohn's disease (CD) representing 30/55 (55%), ulcerative colitis (UC) 24/55 (43.6%) and 1 unclassified IBD, a significant difference from adult patients (P = 0.004). The prevalence of IBD in pediatric patients was 5.02 cases/100.000 inhabitants; the incidence in 2014 was 1.36 cases/100.000 inhabitants. The mean age at diagnosis was 12.2 years (± 4.2). There were 7 children diagnosed up to 6 years old, 7 between 7 to 10 years old and 41 between 11 and ≤ 17 years old. There was no difference in the distribution of UC and CD between these age categories (P = 0.743). There was no difference in gender distribution in relation to adults. Children and adolescents with UC had a predominance of pancolitis, unlike adults (P = 0.001), and used aminosalicylates and immunomodulators for their treatment. Pediatric patients with CD did not present a difference in disease location but had a higher frequency of fistulizing behavior (P = 0.03) and perianal disease phenotype (P = 0.007) than adult patients. Patients with CD used more immunomodulators and biological therapy. Treatment with biological therapy was more frequently used in pediatric patients than in adults (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONAlthough the data from this study demonstrate that incidence and prevalence rates are low in southeastern Brazil, these data demonstrate the severity of IBD in pediatric patients, with the need for early diagnosis and therapy, avoiding serious damage.

Extreme precipitation events are becoming increasingly frequent and intense in southeastern Brazil, leading to socio-economic problems. While it is not possible to control these events, providing accurate weather forecasts can help society be better prepared. In this study, we assess the performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in simulating a period of extreme precipitation from 31 December 2021 to 2 January 2022 in the southern region of Minas Gerais (SMG) state in southeastern Brazil. We conducted five simulations using two nested grids: a 12 km grid (coarse resolution) and a 3 km grid (high resolution). For the coarse resolution, we tested the performance of five cumulus convection parameterization schemes: Kain–Fritsch, Betts–Miller–Janjic, Grell–Freitas, Grell–Devenyi, and New Tiedke. We evaluated the impact of these simulations on driving the high-resolution simulations. To assess the performance of the simulations, we compared them with satellite estimates, in situ precipitation measurements from thirteen meteorological stations, and other variables from ERA5 reanalysis. Based on the results, we found that the Grell–Freitas scheme has better performance in simulating the spatial pattern and intensity of precipitation for the studied region when compared with the other four analyzed schemes.

Specimens of Perlidae (Plecoptera) from Espírito Santo State in southeastern Brazil were studied. A new species, Anacroneuria ruschii n. sp. is described. Brief remarks on A. debilis (Pictet) and Kempnyia neotropica (Jacobson & Bianchi) are also presented.

Studies about the birds of rupestrian fields in the south of Minas Gerais State in Southeastern Brazil are incomplete, although this region is ornithologically well studied. This bird community has closely associated ecology with fields and the most endangered species of the Cerrado domain. The objective of this manuscript is to create a list of birds which occur in the rupestrian fields of seven municipalities in the south of Minas Gerais State, and further to analyze the birds’ distribution, the endangered species (and their conservation status), and generate bases for future conservation actions. We evaluated seven cities in the south of Minas Gerais State between 2012 and 2018 by using binoculars and cameras. We found a high richness in relation to other open areas, with the Tyrannidae and Trochilidae families being the most representative. We highlight the endangered species in the Cerrado domain which of these species are closely linked to rupestrian fields. The composition is similar to closer areas, with exception to São Thomé das Letras city because it suffers an influence of mining areas. We suggest creating a wildlife protected area to preserve and conserve a great area of rupestrian fields and consequently the associated biota, especially the bird communities

Effect of spacing and age on nitrogen and phosphorus distribution in biomass of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus pellita and Eucalyptus urophylla plantations in southeastern Brazil

We describe a nest and nesting activity of the Cinereous Warbling Finch (Poospiza cinerea) in Paredao da Serra do Curral City Park, Minas Gerais State in southeastern Brazil. Little is known about the reproductive biology of this globally vulnerable species. The nest was built with fragments of grass spikes in an Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia). The clutch consisted of three eggs. We describe courtship feeding behavior of the Cinereous Warbling Finch and brood parasitism of the nest by the Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis).

Effect of spacing on growth and biomass distribution in Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. pellita and E. urophylla plantations in southeastern Brazil