Challenges Of COVID-19 Research Articles

Leadership in Crisis: Navigating the Challenges of COVID-19

Abstract—The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to global industries, with the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector being significantly impacted due to lock- downs, supply chain disruptions, and workforce safety concerns. This paper examines how a leading CPG manufacturer navigated the crisis, highlighting the leadership strategies and operational adjustments employed to sustain production, ensure employee safety, and maintain market presence. Key areas of focus in- clude the implementation of automation, establishment of robust quarantine protocols, adoption of flexible work schedules, and incentivization of front-line employees. Additionally, the paper explores the complexities of managing supply chains and vendor relationships during the pandemic and illustrates how, while many competitors were forced to shut down or faced shortages due to inadequate preparedness and inability to adapt safety protocols, the manufacturer remained operational by swiftly reacting to the evolving situation, resulting in increased sales. Drawing on this case study, the paper provides actionable steps for organizations to prepare for future similar scenarios, emphasizing the importance of resilience and proactive leadership in crisis management. Index Terms—Leadership, Crisis Management, COVID-19, CPG Industry, Automation, Supply Chain Resilience, Employee Incentives, Flexible Work Schedules, Food Manufacturing, Or- ganizational Resilience

Organisational resilience and recovery of tour operators: towards a challenge-metamorphosis model

ABSTRACT This study proposes the Challenge Metamorphosis Model (CMM) to understand the resilience and recovery of tour operators following the COVID-19 pandemic. CMM builds on challenges, crisis management, and resilience strategies to understand how businesses evolve or undergo a metamorphosis following disruptive external events. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were carried out among Indian tour operators to understand the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, their responses, and views on recovery and resilience. Data were analysed using thematic analysis followed by network analysis that applies Spradley’s semantic relationships to explore the latent relationships among three key concepts: challenges, recovery strategies, and resilience. Results revealed that tour operators employed a multiplicity of interrelated crisis and recovery strategies to deal with COVID-19 challenges, prompting a business metamorphosis in some cases. The findings have theoretical implications for crisis management and managerial strategies through the proposed CMM to strengthen the response and resilience of tour operators.

How might the implementation of a Sustainability Policy influencethe resilience of economic growth A Case of EU Taxonomy for SustainableActivities in Germany, Spain, and Italy

This paper examines how Sustainability Policy influences the resilience of economic growth in Germany, Spain, and Italy. By analyzing the Gross Domestic Product from 20217 to 2022, this paper finds that the three countries experienced economic growth after the pandemic. However, they have economic growth resilience of due to the amount of green investment in small and medium enterprises. The more enterprises and investments in the country, the more economic strength there is to resist the challenges of COVID-19 while contributing to the economic recovery. Interestingly, the analysis finds that policy synergies are linked to the strength of economic growth. This study emphasizes that governments need to align their policies with the EU Taxonomy to ensure their economic growth is both resilient and sustainable.

Rising Mental Health Issues from Remote Work Challenges in South Korea Amid COVID-19

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased remote work, raising concerns about its impact on mental health. This study assessed the relationship between the challenges of remote work during the pandemic and mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. An online survey was conducted among South Korean adults, with data from 507 participants analyzed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Results indicated that participants in the ‘difficult’ remote work category experienced higher rates of anxiety (26.6%), sleep disorders (37.3%), and depressive symptoms (38.4%) compared to the ‘non-difficult’ category (14.1% anxiety, 24.8% sleep disorder, and 24.8% depressive symptoms), with all differences statistically significant (p ≤ 0.005). Logistic regression models adjusted for demographics and socio-economic factors revealed increased odds of mental health issues in the ‘difficult’ group (ORs ranging from 2.241 to 3.210). Sub-group analysis highlighted significant disparities, particularly among blue-collar workers and men. The findings underscore the need for organizational strategies to mitigate the mental health challenges of remote work. Interventions should include improving technological infrastructure, enhancing workspace ergonomics, and fostering robust communication channels to replace in-person interactions. Additionally, policies should address the differential impacts observed between genders and industries, tailoring support to diverse needs. On a personal level, promoting regular indoor exercise could help workers manage stress and enhance their well-being in remote work settings. This study calls for a comprehensive approach to managing the complex impacts of remote work on mental health. Key messages • This study calls for a comprehensive approach to managing the complex impacts of remote work on mental health. • The findings underscore the need for organizational strategies to mitigate the mental health challenges of remote work.

Confronting the Ongoing Challenges of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Approach for Health Care Systems.

Confronting the Ongoing Challenges of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Approach for Health Care Systems.

Sustainability of a dual language program during and beyond COVID-19 challenges

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the Dual Language Program (DLP) implemented at a Title I public school in Baltimore City during the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 school years. Building on previous research, the DLP's implementation, sustainability, and effects on students’ learning outcomes were examined. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study’s second phase included participants from the school’s mainstream, English-only program (MP), enriching the overall understanding of the school community’s perception of the program. Data were collected through surveys, classroom observations, and standardized assessments—the DIBELS and the iReady Diagnostic assessments. Findings showed challenges with curriculum standardization and prevalent misconceptions about bilingualism. Nevertheless, the program's successes were evident in DLP students’ enhanced engagement, parental involvement, and community support. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the DLP demonstrated its capacity for scaleability and sustainability. During the 2020–2021 school year, regardless of virtual learning, DLP students not only maintained but, in the case of Cohort 1, showed greater growth in reading skills compared to MP students, with Cohort 3 DLP students improving to reach statistically similar performance levels to their MP peers. Findings indicate that the DLP has the potential to serve as a sustainable educational program, fostering both dual language proficiency and academic outcomes.

Barriers and facilitators of healthcare access for long COVID-19 patients in a universal healthcare system: qualitative evidence from Austria

BackgroundLong COVID-19 challenges health and social systems globally. International research finds major inequalities in prevalence and healthcare utilization as patients describe difficulties with accessing health care. In order to improve long-term outcomes it is vital to understand any underlying access barriers, for which relevant evidence on long COVID-19 is thus far lacking in a universal healthcare system like Austria. This study aims to comprehensively identify access barriers and facilitators faced by long COVID-19 patients in Austria and explore potential socioeconomic and demographic drivers in health and social care access.MethodsApplying an exploratory qualitative approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 experts including medical professionals and senior health officials as well as focus groups with 18 patients with confirmed long COVID-19 diagnosis reflecting varying participant characteristics (age, gender, urbanicity, occupation, education, insurance status) (July-Nov 2023). Data were analysed following a thematic framework approach, drawing on a comprehensive ‘access to health care’ model.ResultsBased on expert and patient experiences, several access barriers and facilitators emerged along all dimensions of the model. Main themes included scepticism and stigma by medical professionals, difficulties in finding knowledgeable doctors, limited specialist capacities in the ambulatory care sector, long waiting times for specialist care, and limited statutory health insurance coverage of treatments resulting in high out-of-pocket payments. Patients experienced constant self-organization of their patient pathway as stressful, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary care and centralized coordination. Facilitators included supportive social environments, telemedicine, and informal information provided by a nationwide patient-led support group. Differences in patient experiences emerged, among others, as women and younger patients faced gender- and age-based stigmatization. Complementary health insurance reduced the financial strain, however, did not ease capacity constraints, which were particularly challenging for those living in rural areas.ConclusionsThe findings of this study indicate a call for action to improve the long COVID-19 situation in Austria by empowering both providers and patients via increased information offerings, strengthened interdisciplinary treatment structures and telemedicine offerings as well as research funding. Our insights on potentially relevant socioeconomic and demographic drivers in access barriers lay the necessary foundation for future quantitative inequality research.

Insurance Ombudsman in Post-Pandemic India: COVID-19 Challenges and Future Dispute Resolution Strategies

Insurance Ombudsman in Post-Pandemic India: COVID-19 Challenges and Future Dispute Resolution Strategies

Comparing Health Anxiety and Social Exclusion in the Elderlies and Adults Referring to the Veterans Foundation in COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: Covid-19 pandemic is a global challenge negatively affecting various aspects of health of different age groups. One of the groups involved with the psychological challenges of Covid-19 were the veterans and their families. So, this study was conducted to compare the health anxiety and social exclusion in elderlies and youths referring to the Veteran Foundation in Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 114 clients of the Veterans Foundation in order to compare the health anxiety and social exclusion in the elderlies and adults referring to Veterans Foundation in the Covid-19 pandemic. The participants were collected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using demographic, health anxiety and social exclusion questionnaires. Results: In the comparison of social exclusion and its sub-dimensions, the variables of Out-group social support, participation and shame have a significant difference (P<0.05) and the average of outgroup support in the adults is more than in the elderlies, while the average of participation and social shame is higher in the elderlies than the adults. There is an inverse and significant correlation between the indicators of social relations, participation and the total social exclusion with health anxiety in youths (P<0.05). Conclusion: Given the risks of social exclusion on the physical and mental health of the elderlies and its correlation with health anxiety, it seems that, more attention should be paid to the effects of the disease on the mental and social health of the elderlies in Covid-19 prevention programs.

Covid-19 and intra-household financial coping strategies in Pakistan

The economic challenges due to the Covid-19 are likely to be acuter in developing countries as their population predominantly relies on informal activities not protected through insurance or government support. To understand how people are coping with the Covid-19 challenges, this study investigates seven important financial coping strategies of households in Pakistan using a nationally representative large dataset of 6000 households. The data was collected by the government right after the acute stage of the Covid-19 to study the economic implications of pandemic. By using the binary logit regressions our results show that households exposed to a severe negative Covid-19 shock have higher odds of using their savings or investments, acquiring loans, quitting education of their children, not paying their utility bills, and selling their productive assets in comparison to the households unexposed to a severe Covid-19 shock. Furthermore, a gender-based comparison between severely affected male and female-headed households reveals that female-headed households are two times less likely to discontinue the education of their children, obtain informal loans, and sell their productive assets to cope with the Covid-19 shock. This reflects better financial management among female as compared to male-headed households. Lastly, compared to urban households, rural-affected households also have higher odds of quitting the education of their children and not paying utility bills. The findings highlight the severity of the pandemic in a developing country and call for a swift and targeted government response to ensure minimum well-being of the households.

Impact of COVID-19 on psychological distress in subsequent stages of the pandemic: The role of received social support.

This longitudinal study examined a sample of adult Poles (N = 1245), who were interviewed three times from July 2021 to August 2022, during the later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study had two primary objectives. The first was to assess the impact of the pandemic on psychological distress, measured through symptoms of depression and anxiety. The pandemic's effects were evaluated using three predictors: direct exposure to COVID-19, COVID-19 related stressors, and perceived threats from COVID-19. The second objective was to investigate the role of received social support in coping with the pandemic's hardships. Receipt of social support was measured by both the quantity of help received and the perceived quality of that support. A Latent Growth Curve Model (LGCM) was employed to analyze psychological distress across three waves, controlling for sociodemographic variables, non-COVID life events, coping self-efficacy, and perceived social support. Findings indicated that COVID-19 stressors and COVID-19 threats were strongly and consistently associated with greater psychological distress throughout the study period. The impact of direct COVID-19 exposure was limited. The quantity of received support predicted higher distress, whereas higher quality of received support was linked to better mental health. Crucially, the relationship between the quantity of support and distress was moderated by the quality of support. Effective social support was associated with the lowest distress levels, regardless of the amount of help received. Conversely, receiving large amounts of low-quality support was detrimental to psychological health. In summary, the ongoing psychosocial challenges of COVID-19 significantly eroded mental health, highlighting the importance of support quality over quantity in coping with significant life adversities.

Barriers to initiating and implementing palliative and end-of-life care for children with life-limiting conditions: a mixed-methods study in a UK children’s hospital

BackgroundTo ensure that children with life-limiting conditions (LLC) and their families have access to a palliative care pathway from diagnosis to death and bereavement, a better understanding of the challenges...

Science communication under pressure: perspectives of Dutch researchers and journalists on COVID-19 communication challenges

IntroductionHaving access to information about science is essential for citizens to relate to global challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic is a clear example of how citizens’ dependency on scientific information increased. This study aimed to gain an understanding of the challenges researchers and journalists encountered in communicating about COVID-19 and included an analysis of their roles and responsibilities in science-media interactions.MethodSemi-structured interviews were conducted with experienced journalists (n = 10) and prominent academic researchers in fields relevant to COVID-19 (n = 11) in the Netherlands.ResultsResults show that the pandemic highlighted several challenges in science-media interactions. The pandemic’s complexity, uncertainty, and large societal impact put pressure on researchers and journalists who dealt with the societal need for relevant information and combatting misinformation. In response to the challenges they encountered, researchers and journalists had frequent and ongoing interactions with each other. For researchers, this raised the issue of how to balance their responsibilities to inform and advise as public experts. For journalists, this highlighted the need to avoid reporter-source intimacy and remain independent and critical when reporting about science.ConclusionThese findings raise new issues on the roles and responsibilities of researchers and journalists in urgent, fast-moving contexts such as those experienced during the pandemic and other global challenges. Successful responses to challenges such as dealing with misinformation and pre-prints require further reflection on the roles and responsibilities of both actors.

Dental nurses rose to the challenge of COVID-19 with resilience, confidence and passion for their role

Dental nurses rose to the challenge of COVID-19 with resilience, confidence and passion for their role

A variant-informed decision support system for tackling COVID-19: a transfer learning and multi-attribute decision-making approach.

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, characterized by its extensive societal, economic, and environmental challenges, escalated with the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs) in 2020. Governments, grappling with the unpredictable evolution of VOCs, faced the need for agile decision support systems to safeguard nations effectively. This article introduces the Variant-Informed Decision Support System (VIDSS), designed to dynamically adapt to each variant of concern's unique characteristics. Utilizing multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) techniques, VIDSS assesses a country's performance by considering improvements relative to its past state and comparing it with others. The study incorporates transfer learning, leveraging insights from forecast models of previous VOCs to enhance predictions for future variants. This proactive approach harnesses historical data, contributing to more accurate forecasting amid evolving COVID-19 challenges. Results reveal that the VIDSS framework, through rigorous K-fold cross-validation, achieves robust predictive accuracy, with neural network models significantly benefiting from transfer learning. The proposed hybrid MADM approach integrated approaches yield insightful scores for each country, highlighting positive and negative criteria influencing COVID-19 spread. Additionally, feature importance, illustrated through SHAP plots, varies across variants, underscoring the evolving nature of the pandemic. Notably, vaccination rates, intensive care unit (ICU) patient numbers, and weekly hospital admissions consistently emerge as critical features, guiding effective pandemic responses. These findings demonstrate that leveraging past VOC data significantly improves future variant predictions, offering valuable insights for policymakers to optimize strategies and allocate resources effectively. VIDSS thus stands as a pivotal tool in navigating the complexities of COVID-19, providing dynamic, data-driven decision support in a continually evolving landscape.

Assessing through a longitudinal study of dietary habits among Romanian school children: effects of COVID-19 pandemic as well as of a school based educational program for promotion of healthy nutrition.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced implementation of safety measures, leading to changes in people's lives. This study investigated several dietary habits among Romanian children before and during the pandemic. Also, it assessed the effectiveness of an educational program promoting healthy diet and evaluated factors influencing certain eating habits. A longitudinal study was conducted in schools. Students were assigned to Control and Intervention groups. Data were collected at baseline (T1) (October -November 2019, 880 children) and post-intervention (T2) (December 2020-February 2021, 484 students). 350 children participated in both assessments. Baseline measurements revealed inadequate consumptions of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and increased intake of soft drinks and sweets. At follow-up, the Intervention showed significant improvements on average intake of fruits and vegetables and in children eating ≥ 5 servings/day, compared to its baseline. Regarding self-perceptions on dietary habits during confinement, children from both groups reported healthier behaviors, with a significant decrease of comfort food. Compared to the Control group, Intervention increased its average intake of fruits and vegetables, consumed more ≥ 5 portions/day, reduced the number ≥ 2 cups/day of carbonated beverages and ≥ 3 portions/day of sweets. Age, gender, weight management, body mass index were associated with dietary habits at T1. Age, gender, Intervention group, weight management influenced eating patterns at T2. Eating behaviors at T1 influenced dietary habits at T2. Our program demonstrated positive changes in students' dietary habits, despite challenges of COVID-19. Results highlight the role of health education and emphasize the importance of integrating such programs consistently in schools.

Does 4IR and Covid 19 Effect The Quality of Work Life and Living Standard of Women Workers? Evidence from Selected RMG Firms in Bangladesh

Purposes The study's main objective is to find out the impact of the fourth industrial revolution and covid-19 on women workers of selected Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector in Bangladesh. Methodology This study mainly followed a quantitative research approach with survey study. Total 18 garments (case) has been chosen randomly from DSE listed RMG firm based on access priority. Sample size for survey study has been determined by statistical method is 384. But this study consider total (15*27) = 405. Data have been collected from selected respondents (women workers) using structured questionnaire. Findings The study reveals that women workers in the RMG sector exhibit a remarkable lack of anxiety about their work-life quality, largely due to their experience and resilience in handling the challenges of their profession. It highlights the adaptability of these workers and underscores the importance of targeted support and interventions to promote sustainable livelihoods and better working conditions amid persistent challenges. Implications The study's findings can inform policymakers about the specific challenges faced by women workers in the RMG sector due to the convergence of 4IR and the COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/Value this study's originality and value lie in its intersectional analysis, empirical evidence, contextual specificity, practical implications, and contributions to knowledge, all of which enrich our understanding of the complex dynamics shaping the lives of women workers in Bangladesh's RMG sector amidst the challenges of 4IR and COVID-19. Limitations The study's findings may be limited by the scope of the selected RMG firms and the sample size of women workers included in the research. While efforts were made to ensure diversity within the sample, the findings may not be representative of all women workers in the RMG sector in Bangladesh, limiting the generalizability of the results.

Exploring the Role of Principal Leadership in Enhancing School Quality: Insights from “Sengkang”

This study investigates the impact of democratic leadership on school quality at UPTD SMP Negeri 6 Sengkang. Using a qualitative approach, including interviews, focus groups, observations, and document analysis, the research reveals that the principal’s democratic leadership style significantly enhances school adaptability and development. The principal’s collaborative decision-making and inclusive environment have led to notable improvements in school quality, especially during the challenges of COVID-19. Key findings include increased student enrollment, improved school reputation, and effective management practices. The principal’s clear vision, strong work ethic, and focus on a student-centered approach, alongside teacher professional development and a dynamic curriculum, have been essential in achieving educational goals. The study underscores the importance of democratic leadership in fostering a positive school culture and driving continuous improvement, highlighting the interplay between leadership style and effective school management in promoting educational success.

COVID-19 challenges: how ICT successfully allowed adaptation of Drama in Education experiential method during PhD research

COVID-19 challenges: how ICT successfully allowed adaptation of Drama in Education experiential method during PhD research

Adapting to the Challenges of COVID-19: A Case Study of Premier Mental Therapy

Abstract Business environment adaptation is crucial to market longevity and sustainability. The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a global paradigm shift in remote services which led to technology and service innovations that impacted organizations, leaders, and employees. The resulting impacts have required organizational leaders to consider new market entry strategies, employees to consider new processes and procedures, and both to learn new technologies and capabilities. This case study examines and provides recommendations to Premier Mental Therapy with a focus on leadership, organizational, change management, and strategy theories to mitigate risks to mental health services resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and increase sustainability and revenue. Marketing and networking strategies are introduced as tools to lower barriers to entry into technology driven healthcare markets. RACI charts are recommended for roles and responsibilities definition, and balanced scorecard is recommended for performance measurement and awareness. These recommendations combine to provide a future business model for sustainable operations.