Coronavirus Disease 2019 Crisis Research Articles

Evaluation of Effects of the COVID-19 Crisis on Disease Management in Children with Type 1 Diabete

Background: With the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), strict laws such as quarantine were implemented in many countries, including Iran. The spread of this disease and the general quarantine overshadowed the treatment and management of some chronic diseases, including type 1 diabetes, and many families faced a serious challenge in providing medicines and periodic tests for their children. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on disease management in children with type 1 diabetes. Method: Based on a researcher-made questionnaire, this cross-sectional study was conducted on 85 children with type 1 diabetes between the ages of 2 and 18 years in 6 months at the Children's Medical Center Hospital. This questionnaire is either collected from the parents during the face-to-face visit of the child with type 1 diabetes, or the virtual visit (telemedicine), and they were asked to complete the relevant questionnaire. This questionnaire included demographic information, laboratory tests, and the challenges of patients' families during the pandemic. In order to properly understand the management of this disease, parents were asked to enter the results of tests related to fasting blood sugar and HbA1c 3 times at the beginning of the pandemic, during quarantine, and during the implementation of the study. Results: Based on the results, the level of HbA1c, the problem of insurance coverage, the problem of attendance, ketoacidosis, and infection before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and at the time of the study among children with type 1 diabetes were unchanged (P>0.05). There was a significant difference between fasting blood sugar levels, insulin levels, blood sugar control levels, and hospitalizations in type 1 diabetes patients before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and the study period (P<0.05). Conclusion: Increasing the use of continuous glucose monitors and the widespread use of telemedicine visits may improve the impact of the pandemic on disease management. It is suggested that more multicenter studies with a higher sample size should be conducted in order to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on children with diabetes.

Bank credit to SMEs in Japan: Evidence from normal times, the global financial crisis, and the COVID-19 crisis

We investigate what types of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) use bank loans during crisis periods, focusing on the global financial crisis (GFC) and the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Using comprehensive data on SMEs in Japan, we obtain the following results. First, during these two crisis periods, SMEs with low cash flow, high credit risk, and low sales growth borrowed more from banks. Second, these firms borrowed more during the COVID-19 crisis than during the GFC. Furthermore, the ex post profitability of these firms was lower during the COVID-19 crisis, which was special in that vulnerable firms borrowed more from banks. Third, the increases in probability of default were not large during the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis, but were economically significant in 2021. These results imply that massive financial support during the COVID-19 crisis delayed firm defaults.

Connecting efficiency and responsiveness in China: public sentiments and stakeholder perspectives towards COVID-19 crisis governance.

The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic initiated debates on how crisis management affects democracy. In them, the balance between deploying control strategies that limit citizens' freedom and their democratic legitimation features prominently. Informed by theoretical debates about responsive crisis governance, this paper explores how Chinese citizens reacted by quantitatively and qualitatively analysing social media expressions and Chinese stakeholders' narratives. The quantitative analysis indicated that public sentiments towards pandemic control were complex and mostly related to the severe pandemic in Wuhan. Negative sentiments were mainly directed at local states; national states largely received respect. The qualitative analysis exhibited more nuances. Although Chinese crisis governance raised efficiency and trust, aggressive accountability efforts and improper information exchange caused justice deficits and public anxiety. Draconian social control misaligned public interests and a lack of specific partnership mechanisms frustrated social participation. Reconciling institutional efficiency with civic liberties on diverse governance levels is thus expected to increase the responsiveness of pandemic control to public demands.

Exploring the interplay between social distancing, innovation adoption, and privacy concerns amid the COVID-19 crisis

Abstract Using the case of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) as a natural experiment, this study discusses how innovation policy should be designed in times of crisis when public interest and privacy concerns collide. For this purpose, the causal relationship between social distancing enforcement and innovation adoption in consideration of privacy concerns is explored by using national-level survey data. Our key findings from econometric analysis are as follows: first, the implementation of social distancing policies leads to an increase in the adoption of wearable devices. Second, the strengthening of social distancing has caused a decrease in individual privacy concerns. Finally, a decrease in individual privacy concerns leads to an increase in wearable device adoption. Social distancing during the COVID-19 not only accelerated innovation adoption but also led a decrease in privacy concerns. Our results suggest that government should play a role in safe guarding public privacy when individuals may let their guard down during times of crises.

Adapting to the COVID-19 crisis: corporate social responsibility in an emerging market economy

ABSTRACT Grounded in the theories of stakeholder and corporate social responsibility (CSR), the study investigates the role of businesses in responding to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in an emerging market economy such as Bangladesh. Employing a convenience sampling procedure, ten commercial banks were selected as the sample for the study, and the content analysis method was utilised for data analysis. After examining the annual reports of a sample of banks, the study reveals that they have implemented diverse health safety, consumer essential needs, and community development-oriented CSR policies to safeguard their core stakeholders, such as employees, customers, and communities, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. This indicates that corporations, through CSR initiatives, can maintain a win-win relationship between business and society, even in a crisis period. Lastly, the researcher recorded implications and proposed directions for future research on CSR policies in similar critical times, albeit in different circumstances.

Analysing the performance of a health innovation ecosystem in the COVID-19 crisis: complexity and chaos theory perspective

BackgroundThis research delves into the complexity management of collaborative networks and interorganizational systems in the health innovation ecosystem on the basis of a best practice in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. The objective is to offer specific solutions and guidelines to stakeholders in the health innovation ecosystem to control the chaos resulting from unexpected events along the ecosystem development and evolution path.MethodsFor this purpose, the performance of the Health Innovation Ecosystem in Iran (the Every Home is a Health Base plan) has been examined through a detailed and in-depth analysis of events and actions taken using documents, reports and interviews with experts. The practical application of chaos and complex adaptive system features (adaptation, time horizons, edge of chaos, sensitivity to initial conditions, state space and strange attractors) is introduced to identify and manage the transition from a state where the health innovation ecosystem is on the edge of chaos and prone to failure. Data were collected through studying documents, reports and interviews with experts, and then analysed using qualitative content analysis techniques, open and axial coding and metaphors derived from complexity and chaos theories.ResultsThe findings indicate that to understand and embrace the complexity of the health innovation ecosystem throughout its development and evolution and manage and lead it through the edge of chaos towards successful interorganizational systems performance, it is necessary to use gap analysis to achieve consensus, establish a highly interactive governance structure with key stakeholders of the ecosystem, maintain flexibility to control bifurcations (butterfly effect), prevent transforming emergency solutions into standard routines and ensure the sustainability of the ecosystem against future threats by long-term financial security.ConclusionsThis research provides insights into the dynamics of complex health systems and offers strategies for promoting successful innovation through collaborative networks and interorganizational systems in the development and evolution of the health innovation ecosystem. By embracing complexity and chaos, healthcare professionals, policy-makers and researchers can collaboratively address complex challenges and improve outcomes in health network activities. The conclusion section provides guidelines for successfully managing the complexity of the ecosystem and offers suggestions for further research.

Ethics of Nudging in the COVID-19 Crisis and the Necessary Return to the Principles of Shared Decision Making: A Critical Review.

Nudging, a controversial technique for modifying people's behavior in a predictable way, is claimed to preserve freedom of choice while simultaneously influencing it. Nudging had been largely confined to situations such as promoting healthy eating choices but has been employed in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis in a shift towards measures that involve significantly less choice, such as shoves and behavioral prods. Shared decision making (SDM), a method for direct involvement and autonomy, is an alternative approach to communicate risk. Predominantly peer-reviewed scientific publications from standard literature databases like PubMed, PsycInfo, and Psyndex were evaluated in a narrative review. The so-called fear nudges, as well as the dissemination of strongly emotionalizing or moralizing messages can lead to intense psycho-physical stress. The use of these nudges by specialized units during the COVID-19 pandemic generated a societal atmosphere of fear that precipitated a deterioration of the mental and physical health of the population. Major recommendations of the German COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring (COSMO) study, which are based on elements of nudging and coercive measures, do not comply with ethical principles, basic psychological principles, or evidence-based data. SDM was misused in the COVID-19 crisis, which helped to achieve one-sided goals of governments. The emphasis on utilitarian thinking is criticized and the unethical behavior of decision makers is explained by both using the concept of moral disengagement and the maturity level of coping strategies. There should be a return to an open-ended, democratic, and pluralistic scientific debate without using nudges. It is therefore necessary to return to the origins of SDM.

Sailing through the COVID-19 challenges on admission rates: An experience-based treatment care model for inpatient psychiatry services from central India

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic hit the healthcare system worldwide and led to the imposing of a lockdown in India from March 24, 2020, except for emergency services. All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raipur started the dedicated COVID service facility, and the workforce and logistics were shifted to the new dedicated service. This has impacted the inpatient services provided, including psychiatry services. Hence, we conducted a retrospective record review of inpatient admission during COVID-19, which was compared with the previous year’s admission rates. We also discussed the challenges faced and steps taken to implement and support an experience-based treatment care model for inpatient psychiatry services during the COVID-19 crisis.

Meaning of life and death during COVID-19 pandemic: A cultural and religious narratives

The sudden arrival of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in South Africa drastically changed the normal way of life in all sectors. It compelled everyone to look at the meaning of life and death differently and more painfully than before. This article investigates the cultural theories and religious narratives on the meaning of life and death, associated with the pervasiveness of the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus affected individuals, families and communities, some directly or indirectly, no one is or was immune to the virus. The article argues that due to COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns, culture, religious practices and protocols have been upended. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged inkcubeko nenkolo yabantu [culture, people’s religious belief systems and practices]. This article consists of in-depth qualitative interviews with four religious leaders from the Christian and Muslim faiths. Because of the interviews with persons, oral historians conduct open-ended interviews, as a form of social inquiry. Oral history narratives thus connect the individual and the social, drawing on cultural and religious expressions to tell one’s story.Contribution: The scholarly contribution of this article adds value and significance to oral history research, as a way of collecting and interpreting human memories and experiences on the meaning of life and death during the COVID-19 crisis. It discusses the dreadfulness of the COVID-19 scourge concerning religious and cultural effects, social sciences and people’s narrative reflections.

Role of Medical and Nursing Practitioners in Times of Pandemic: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Crisis and Future Prospects

Context: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic adversely affected the operation of health systems and services and dramatically increased the responsibilities of health professionals. Medical and nursing practitioners are an integral part of health care. They shouldered an important role in the fight against the novel coronavirus despite the potential risks. Evidence Acquisition: The present article applied a narrative approach to examine the nature and scope of the medical and nursing professions, especially during a pandemic or epidemic, and to describe the societal impact of the recent public health emergency. This study also analyzed the experience gained from the pandemic and how this could be used to ethically guide health services and clinicians through similar crises in the future. Results: The COVID-19 crisis revealed ethical dilemmas related to the retention of balance between the commitment to duty and the discretion to opt out. Health workers' obligation to treat derives from their professional role and is based on scientific, moral, and legal grounds. A pandemic mandates health staff to work at the limits of their competencies and entails the risk of infection with the pathogen, physical exhaustion, and emotional stress. The tremendous toll on society and health care due to the spread of a pathogen needs to be managed. The responsibility of clinicians to care for the sick is at the core of any successful response to a pandemic. Protective measures, safety training, sustainable working hours, and moral and fiscal compensation are essential prerequisites for the fulfillment of their tasks. Conclusions: Despite the reduced clinical severity associated with new variants, individual and collective fatigue among doctors and nurses continues to exist. The most recent epidemiological indicators show that the COVID-19 pandemic is still progressing but with a decelerating rhythm. In addition, preparation for a potentially catastrophic future pandemic is appropriate. Therefore, there is no time for complacency. All the involved parties need to ensure that health professionals uphold the mission of their profession.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer pathological stage at diagnosis in Tunisian patients.

Breast cancer (BC) patients' diagnosis and management was affected by a global reorganization after the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our study aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on the pathological stage of newly diagnosed patients with BC compared to pre-pandemic and to identify predictive factors of tumor advanced stage. Pathological records of all consecutive newly operated BC patients between March 2020 and December 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical and pathological prognostic factors of BC were collected and compared between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Then, predictive factors of tumor advanced stage were identified. Of the 225 cases included in the analysis, 98.7% were females and 1.3% were males. The median time from first histological diagnosis to first surgical treatment was enlarged by 42 days with a significant difference between the two periods (p = 0.002). Newly diagnosed BC patients during the COVID-19 pandemic were operated at a more advanced stage (54.1% vs 36.2%, p = 0.007), had a greater lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.002), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.015) and are more commonly of IBC NST histological type (p = 0.005). Moreover, multivariate analyses showed that the pandemic period (AOR = 2.28; p = 0.016) and the lympho-vascular invasion (p < 0.001) were independently associated with advanced stage of tumors. Our findings proved an increase in alarming rates of advanced stage BC associated with the COVID-19 crisis. These findings support recommendations for a quick restoration of BC screening at full capacity, with adequate prioritization strategies to mitigate harm.

Prospects for Livestock Nutrition in the View of COVID-19

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a global pandemic. Remarkable negative impacts of the pandemic have already been observed in ecosystems, human civilization, food security and safety, and global environments. In addition, various sectors involved in the food production chain, particularly the agricultural and livestock sectors, also severely affect food production, food security, food safety, as well as cause economic loss. A sharp reduction in the production of meat, milk, eggs, etc., as a consequence of the global pandemic, has already been well documented. Movement restrictions were imposed locally and internationally as part of the COVID-19 control strategy. As a result, businesses related to the supply of raw materials to livestock, farmers, farm output, veterinary services, and farm workers have dramatically decreased. So has animal welfare. A few months have passed since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially announced the COVID-19 pandemic over and the food chain has not yet recovered. This review highlights the prospects of livestock nutrition in view of the COVID-19 crisis for global pandemic prevention.

Parental anxiety and depression are associated with adverse mental health in children with special needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to restrictions in various areas of life, including social life, work, leisure, health, and education. Vulnerable groups, such as children with special needs and their parents, may be at increased risk of experiencing exacerbated mental health problems during stressful periods such as the COVID-19 lockdowns. Telephone interviews were conducted with 954 parents of children with special needs. We assessed parental levels of generalized anxiety and depression using the validated GAD-7 and PHQ-8 scales. Parents were asked to rate family burden and their worry about the COVID-19 crisis, as well as their children's adverse mental health symptoms and health behaviors. Parents also reported their children's worries about the COVID-19 crisis. We conducted regressions to examine the relationship between parents' mental health problems and their children's adverse mental health symptoms and health behaviors. Qualitative data from open-ended questions were coded thematically and major themes of parental worry about the COVID-19 crisis were identified. Parental anxiety and depression symptoms predicted adverse mental health symptoms and behaviors in children with special needs. Criteria for current depression were met by 7.9% of parents of children with special needs, whereas 4.7% of the general population in Vorarlberg met the criteria for current depression according to data from the Austrian Health Interview Survey in 2019. Parental self-ratings of both depression and anxiety were highly correlated. The majority of parents reported being burdened (79.1%) or worried (67.8%) about the COVID-19 crisis. The main themes of parental worry about the COVID-19 crisis included COVID-19 infection (40.6%), economic situation (13.1%), uncertainty (8.4%), lack of social contact with family and friends (8.1%), family health status (7.5%), and school life (7.5%). Mental health symptoms in parents of children with special needs were strongly associated with increased adverse mental health symptoms and health behaviors in their children. Parents of children with special needs were more likely to be depressed during the COVID-19 pandemic than adults in 2019. We call for additional mental health support to reduce the mental health burden in families with children with special needs.

Is it time to rethink benefit packages? Perks associated with the intention to leave in different age groups during COVID-19

PurposeThe study's objective is to estimate the association of specific perceived employer-provided benefits on employees' intention to leave in different age cohorts during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Informed by the psychological theories of ageing, the authors propose three age-cohort-specific hypotheses in three motivational domains: security and health benefits, flexible work arrangement and education-related benefits.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a large survey of employees in Estonia (n = 7,209) conducted in 2020 and test the association of specific benefits and their interactions with age on employees' intention to leave.FindingsThe results show that older cohorts are generally less prone to leave their jobs. Benefits that employers could use during the COVID-19 crisis generally had negative associations with the intention to leave, but age-specific differences were negligible; only the perceived provision of flexible work arrangements reduced the younger cohort's intention to leave relatively more.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few that allows us to make inferences regarding the benefits preferences amongst the working population during an unprecedented health crisis.

Socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 crisis and early perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines among immigrant and nonimmigrant people living with HIV followed up in public hospitals in Seine-Saint-Denis, France.

The burden of the first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was greater for vulnerable populations, such as immigrants, people living in disadvantaged urban areas, and people with chronic illnesses whose usual follow-up may have been disrupted. Immigrants receiving care for HIV in Seine-Saint-Denis' hospitals have a combination of such vulnerabilities, while nonimmigrant people living with HIV (PLWHIV) have more heterogeneous vulnerability profiles. The ICOVIH study aimed to compare the socioeconomic effects of the COVID-19 crisis as well as attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination among immigrant and nonimmigrant PLWHIV. A questionnaire assessed vulnerabilities prior to the COVID-19 epidemic and the impact of the early epidemic on administrative, residential, professional, and financial fields. We surveyed 296 adults living with HIV at four hospitals in Seine-Saint-Denis, the poorest metropolitan French department, between January and May 2021. Administrative barriers affected 9% of French-born versus 26.3% of immigrant participants. Immigrants experienced financial insecurity and hunger more often than nonimmigrant participants (21.8% versus 7.1% and 6.6% versus 3%, respectively). Spontaneous acceptance of vaccination was higher among nonimmigrant than among immigrant participants (56.7% versus 32.1%), while immigrants were more likely to wait for their doctor's recommendation or for their doctor to convince them than their French-born counterparts (34.2% versus 19.6%). The trust-based doctor‒patient relationship established through HIV follow-up appeared to be a determining factor in the high acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among immigrant participants.

The Relationship Between Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic-linked Job Losses and Health Care Access and Household Financial Health in Medicaid Expansion and Nonexpansion States.

Unemployment associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was linked to financial insecurity and disruptions in access to health care. To explore whether expanded access to Medicaid mitigated the likelihood of health and non-health financial hardship associated with pandemic-linked job loss. We estimate linear regression models comparing differences in the levels of outcomes attributable to pandemic-linked joblessness in Medicaid expansion and nonexpansion states. A total of 20,281 adults aged 19-64 were in the 2021 National Financial Capability Study. Our key exposure was job loss, layoffs, and furloughs, attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. Outcomes under evaluation include indicators of health care access and household financial health. Relative to persons reporting pandemic-linked unemployment in nonexpansion states, adults experiencing pandemic-linked job loss in expansion states were less likely to report as uninsured [-6.2 percentage points (PPs); 95% CI: -10.8, -1.6; P < 0.01], having unpaid medical bills (-4.3 PP; 95% CI: -8, -0.6; P < 0.05), having unmet medical needs due to cost (-5.3 PP; 95% CI: -10.1, -0.5; P < 0.05), and having calls from debt collection agencies (-6.9 PP; 95% CI: -10.6, -3.1; P < 0.01). Patterns consistent with Medicaid acting as a safety net for the adverse financial effects of job loss were more pronounced for middle-income households. In economic downturns, such as the COVID-19 crisis, Medicaid can help insulate households from diminished health care access and financial distress associated with job loss.

The quest for surviving COVID-19: adoption of online technologies by self-employed women in Mauritius

PurposeThis study sheds light on the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on self-employed women in Mauritius and delves into their coping strategies amid unprecedented circumstances.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a comprehensive methodology encompassing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative analysis is conducted via interviews with self-employed women in Mauritius, capturing their experience with COVID-19. Quantitative analysis uses survey data from 732 firms to investigate factors affecting online sales, a major survival strategy adopted by businesses.FindingsThe study finds a notable trend wherein many interviewed women have transitioned their businesses online – a pivot that stands out as a common response within the sample. The quantitative analysis indicates the significance of a strong online presence, particularly on social media and web-based platforms designed for the sale of goods and services. These factors correlate with higher online sales, potentially enhancing resilience during pandemic-induced lockdown periods.Originality/valueThis study stands out for its originality, representing the first study investigating how women entrepreneurs in Mauritius have navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis.

Riding the COVID-19 Wave? Issue Attention during the Pandemic

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic altered the political agendas and the existing agenda-setting processes of nations worldwide. While in times of crisis, incumbent parties cannot ignore problems and be purely strategic agenda setters, non-incumbent parties can be more selective and strategise the attention they devote to certain political issues. Based on an analysis of 1507 parliamentary questions posed by the parties in the multi-party parliament of Denmark before and during the first COVID-19 wave (March–June 2020), the present article aims at determining what explains issue emphasis during the crisis. During the first stages of the COVID-19 crisis, parties from both the right and the left of the political spectrum rather than emphasising only issues they ‘own’, devoted special attention to the most salient issues, including those connected to the pandemic. These findings have important implications for political responsiveness in times of crisis.

From Archipelago to Pandemic Battleground: Unveiling Indonesia's COVID-19 Crisis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to countries worldwide, including Indonesia. With its unique archipelagic geography consisting of more than 17,000 thousand islands, Indonesia faces unique complexities in managing the spread of the virus. Based on existing literature, this review article elaborates on key issues that have shaped Indonesia's COVID-19 response. The article begins by examining the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, along with the implementation of various preventive measures and the impact of the virus on public health. This article examines how Indonesia's socio-economic factors have generally influenced its healthcare system and further delves into the COVID-19 response strategies implemented by the Indonesian government and public health authorities as well as overall crisis preparedness. It discusses the actions taken to control the spread of the virus, including testing strategies and vaccination efforts. The difficulties encountered in implementing these measures are presented. In conclusion, this review article provides a comprehensive understanding of the COVID-19 crisis in Indonesia, covering facts on multiple dimensions ranging from the timeline of the pandemic to vaccination efforts, epidemiology, socio-economic implications, testing strategies, mobility patterns, public holidays, the impact of working from home, and the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in addition to the standard of care for COVID-19. The insights gained from this article can complement future strategies for pandemic management and response in Indonesia and other countries facing similar challenges.

Analysis of financial management practices in China's manufacturing sector before and during COVID-19: a comparison with Romania

PurposeThe objective of this study is to investigate how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affects firms' financial management in China's manufacturing sector. In addition, the authors analyze the changes in various financial indicators before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the authors make a cross-country comparison of the COVID-19's impact on financial management between China and Romania.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses the balanced panel data of 2,272 manufacturing listed companies from 2019 to 2020, and applies the t-test method and multiple regression method.FindingsThe results show that firms' financial performance in most manufacturing sub-sectors decreased during the observed period. In addition, the authors find that equity financing, proper liquidity management and an expanded firm scale can improve firms' financial performance. The authors further compare the results with the Romanian results, and find that the negative impact of debt-to-equity ratio on firms' financial performance in Romania is greater than that in China and the positive impact of financial autonomy ratio and working capital ratios is greater in China than that in Romania.Practical implicationsThe findings can help corporate managers make the best financial management decision in response to crisis.Originality/valueThis study is one of the pioneers that analyze how manufacturing companies carried out their financial management during the COVID-19 crisis in the Chinese context, and provides a cross-country analysis of corporate financial management practices in China and Romania.