Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic Research Articles

Картографирование неоднородности реакции населения разных стран на распространение коронавируса COVID-19

Geoinformation modeling and mapping were carried out and depicted in cartograms of the individual parameters of the models necessary for calculating the society response current indicators to spreading of the new coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in various countries. The epidemic process is described in terms of the reliability theory by the accumulation of the disease frequency as the sum of the daily increase proportion in coronavirus infection’s confirmed cases. The Fréchet distribution function of the maximum values of the population reaction moments to contagion is used as a mathematical model for the growth trend. The statistical processing of spatial data is based on a non-dimensional indicator of integrated disease hazard and its linearized version, which enables calculating the mapped parameters of the model changing from country to country and indicating the efficiency of prevention and anti-epidemic measures implemented by the state and society

Apilot study evaluating stress factors during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Viennese families who have the suspicion of child maltreatment or abuse.

The global population was affected by the unprecedented coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of the pandemic on children who suffer child maltreatment has not been explored sufficiently. Child abuse is known to increase in stressful circumstances, and therefore potentially during this pandemic.We aimed to identify and measure the impact of pandemic-related stress in families with asuspicion or confirmed child maltreatment. In addition, other parameters were determined, including resilience factors and family dynamics.We conducted apilot study at the Medical University of Vienna, Forensic Examination Centre for Children and Adolescents (FOKUS Safeguarding team). Parents, carers and legal guardians of children who were referred for potential child abuse (study group) participated by completing two questionnaires, one year apart, covering the following periods: pre-COVID, during-COVID and post-COVID. Simultaneously, acontrol group was devised with patients who presented to the Paediatric Emergency Department with unrelated conditions (other than child maltreatment concerns). The questionnaires addressed psychological stress factors and were completed face-to-face and/or via telephone. Atotal of 35carers participated, with almost equal numbers in both intervention and control groups.Results show that there was statistically significantly higher stress level perception before and during the pandemic period in the study group. Several families in this group commented on the positive effect of support received from health professionals, especially after the pandemic.

The Impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic on Employee Engagement and Performance: A Case Study of MTN Nigeria Telecommunications Limited

The covid-19 pandemic has brought an unprecedented impact on employee engagement and performance. The changing workplace environment has triggered psychological pressure and uncertainty and caused negative consequences for employees. In light of this unplanned situation that affect employees and the predictive closed relationship between employee engagement and performance, this study was developed to identify the key drivers of staff engagement and performance and its impact on organizational performance in the current context. The literature review showed different ways that researchers, organizations, and scholars perceive employee engagement. Several models and theories explained the concept of Employee engagement and performance and provided a context that directs the impact of COVID-19 on staff engagement and performance. The primary source of data collection was the online questionnaire. A random sampling of 339 staff was selected from a population of 1,700 employees in the different departments in MTN Nigeria out of which 306 respondents provided their feedback and this constituted the sample size while no response from 33 employees. Five hypotheses were formulated, and a conclusion was drawn from them. The calculation and analysis were obtained using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to get the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient while regression analysis was used to analyse the stated hypotheses. The result summary was analyzed considering the key objectives, it was evident that the majority of the employees felt alienated and disengaged due to the prolonged work-from-home, no informal meetings and socializations even though they still felt engaged while working for the organization.

Uzaktan Eğitimde Sanat Atölyesi Kavramına İlişkin Sanat Eğitimcisi ve Öğrencilerin Metaforik Bakış Açıları

As old as the history of humanity, art has been practiced in various places throughout the ages. The concept of art studio, which is generally associated with artistic activities, is also associated with many craft branches. Woodworking and carpentry, blacksmithing, pottery, carpet making, etc. professions are also practiced in studios. Art educators and students using art studios in education have had to leave these spaces during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The transition to distance education after the pandemic has left the art studios empty. This abandonment undoubtedly caused transformations in their perceptions. The main subject of this research is the metaphors produced about the concept of art workshop in distance education. This research aims to reveal the metaphorical perspectives of higher education art educators and students about the concept of 'art studio' in distance education. Metaphor analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in conducting this research. It is seen that art educators and students created a total of 27 types of metaphors under seven categories for the concept of art studio. The metaphors that the participants stated the most were listed as house, life, kitchen, factory, and pal. It can be suggested that similar studies can be conducted with younger age groups of students studying at different educational levels.

Tissue engineering application on coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic: A review

Background: The use of biomaterials in diagnosing and treating COVID-19 has been investigated in various forms and origins, including natural and synthetic materials. The development of rapid and highly sensitive biosensors based on field-effect transistors and the creation of antiviral platforms, vaccines, and nanomaterials have been the focus of most research on the application of biomaterials. Tissue engineering encompasses the study of tissue development, behavior, and growth factors that are more readily supported in the medical setting. This paper reviews the roles of biomaterials, tissue engineering, drug delivery, microfluidics, and 3D printing technologies in urgently responding to pandemics like COVID-19. In addition, this research covers a broad area of vaccines and treatments, reviewing the most promising candidate drugs and vaccines that have entered clinical trials to date. These engineering methods focus on biomaterials, drug delivery systems, and replacing damaged tissues and organs. Some biodegradable biomaterials, such as chitosan, mesoporous silica rods, and PLGA nanoparticles, have been utilized as vaccine platforms and can be employed in developing a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Notably, the proposed platform's size, shape, and other physicochemical characteristics should be carefully planned to achieve the desired effects on the immune system. Conclusion: Tissue engineers possess unique tools that can significantly advance our understanding of viral illnesses and aid in creating diagnostic and therapeutic platforms. Future research on COVID-19 infection and drug testing will benefit significantly from developing organ-on-a-chip technologies. Developing innovative biomaterial-based techniques for preventing, treating, and monitoring COVID-19 requires collaboration across multiple disciplines.

Continuity and discontinuity of rituals: Covid-19 pandemic in Southern Africa

The onset of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in late 2019 gave way to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic that changed the world. These changes impacted many spheres of ritualised social life, including burial, funerary and cultural rituals, and rites of passage. In this article, we focus on the reorganisation of life and the reimagining of rituals arising from the Covid-19 pandemic in relation to ancestral veneration in Cacadu and Queenstown (Eastern Cape, South Africa), burial practices amongst Basotho (Lesotho), state funerals in Lusaka (Zambia), funerary and mortuary practice generally in South Africa, and everyday cultural practices of care in Eldorado Park (Gauteng, South Africa). In these sites, lockdown regulations saw ritual, burial and funerary practices carried out in novel, uncanny ways that unsettled communal support systems and obligations. This included the slaughtering of animals, or lack thereof, and changes in customary mourning practices at both communal and state level. In extrapolating the above, this article relies on ethnographic data gathered by way of in-depth interviews, participant observation and auto-ethnography, to explore and discuss how the pandemic has changed and (re)shaped burial, ritual and funerary practices in Southern Africa.

Metode RGEC dalam Perbandingan Tingkat Kesehatan LKMS di Indonesia Sebelum dan Semasa Pandemi Covid-19

The existence of a Sharia Financial Institution in recent years has become an alternative financial institution for society which is very important in advancing the real sector. This is because Sharia banks play a role in socializing the practice of profit sharing to avoid the practice of usury (interest). However, in 2019 - 2020 there was a virus that hit all countries in the world which caused the economy to decline. The corona virus (Covid-19) pandemic is still causing ongoing problems. Various sectors have also been affected by this outbreak, including Sharia Microfinance Institutions (IKMS). This research aims to test whether there are differences in the Health Level of Sharia Microfinance Institutions at KSPPS BMT SM NU Kramat Tegal before and during the Covid 19 Pandemic. The population of this research is KSPPS BMT SM NU Kramat. The research was tested using the independent sample t-test. The results of this research show that there are significant differences in NPL, LDR, ROA and CAR at KSPPS BMT SM NU Kramat before and during the Covid 19 pandemic. Meanwhile for GCG and NIM there are no significant differences at KSPPS BMT SM NU Kramat before and during the pandemic covid 19.

Working from Home, Endogenous Fertility, and Human Capital Accumulation

This paper analyzes the effects of working from home on fertility rate and human capital accumulation using an overlapping-generations model, which is mainly based on Groezen, Leers and Mejidam (2003) and Cardak (2004). Although Groezen, Leers and Mejidam (2003) consider childcare cost and child allowances in a model of a small open economy, they ignore educational expenditures and do not analyze human capital accumulation. Although Cardak (2004) considers human capital accumulation and assumes it is determined by governmental or parental expenditures on education and by parent’s human capital endowments, he ignores childcare cost and child allowances, and assumes population size is constant in each period. This study considers human capital accumulation in a model introduced childcare time with endogenous fertility by following Murata (2022). We then consider the effects of working from home on fertility rate and human capital accumulation. This paper is motivated by enforced working from home during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. We find that if the government increases childcare subsidies, working from home promotes human capital accumulation and economic growth.

Sustainable Consumer Behavior: The Driving Force of Innovation in Retail

The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented shock to the world economy. Consumer purchase of a country’s brand and the products manufactured in their own country plays a vital role in that country’s GDP, and helps revive the country’s economy. This study focuses on understanding the factors that influence consumers’ buying behavior, and on modeling these factors to understand the causal relationship, using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The data analysis is based on the online survey carried out between 30 March 2020 and 18 April 2020. A total of 367 responses were collected during this period. The study’s findings indicate that there are changes in consumer buying behavior, and the factors that are decisive for purchasing decisions in times of social crisis are changing. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumers’ lives and the changes in their behavior during and after the crisis. Consumers’ attitudes towards traditionalism and retail innovation are essential for the sustainable development of consumer behavior. Under the influence of change and shopping constraints, unplanned- and impulse-shopping behavior has changed into a deliberate search for more sustainable options, with women shopping for sustainable food more often than men. Women are more health-conscious, and consider sustainable food healthier than conventional food. On the retail side, trusted certification of origin supports the rate of sustainable-food purchases, and, from the viewpoint of innovation, the use of digital communication with consumers across different communication channels and platforms is essential.

Social Effects of Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic on Local Artisan Livelihood in Iringa District, Tanzania

Social Effects of Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic on Local Artisan Livelihood in Iringa District, Tanzania

Working conditions of medical workers of the infectious diseases hospital during the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection

pandemic of a new coronavirus infection (NCS) or COVID-19, announced by the World Health Organization in 2020, led to large-scale changes in the activities of all medical organizations in our country, which were forced to concentrate all their efforts to combat this infectious disease. There is an urgent need to convert most medical institutions into infectious diseases hospitals (IG) to treat patients with a new coronavirus infection. The developed federal and regional regulations for the work of medical organizations during a pandemic, including taking into account the experience of other countries, have made it possible to develop effective methods of combating infection and properly organize the work process. Studies have shown that the distribution of patient flows during hospitalization and the treatment process in the hospital can prevent excessive infection of medical workers. The working conditions of medical specialists of the infectious diseases hospital during this period corresponded to the harmful class 3 degree (class 3.3.). The leading harmful factor of the production environment and the most significant in terms of hygienic significance was the biological factor, which was represented by pathogenic microorganisms of groups II–IV. An analysis of the maps of a special assessment of working conditions (SUT) during this period showed that there was an underestimation of the class of working conditions according to the factors of the labor process — severity and tension, which were rated as within acceptable values (class 2), which clearly did not correspond to the true indicators. The survey showed that the medical workers of the hospital, working in a full set of personal protective equipment, experienced pronounced discomfort and pathological changes in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems by the end of the shift. Studies indicate the need for SATS during a pandemic, taking into account higher indicators of both the biological factor (extreme working conditions — class 4) and other production factors (severity, tension, microclimate).

A regulatory analysis of digital financial services and the adoption of central bank digital currencies in Zimbabwe and South Africa

The use of digital financial services such as mobile money has created new frontiers for more people, especially the poor, to participate in the formal payment systems in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Individuals who do not have bank accounts are now able to access financial services and products using technological devices such as mobile phones. In this regard, digital financial services have broadened financial inclusion allowing the poor to participate in financial markets and other formal economic activities which they were unable to access before. In addition, digital financial services represent a broad range of emerging financial technology (fintech) products which could lead to the adoption of digital currencies in many countries, including Zimbabwe and South Africa. These fintech products have been useful channels for the poor to transact and receive money since the outbreak of the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic. However, the regulation of digital financial services and their products remains problematic in South Africa and Zimbabwe owing, in part, to the absence of statutes that expressly and robustly regulate these services. Furthermore, there is no sufficient policy clarity on the adoption of central bank digital currencies in the aforesaid countries. Accordingly, this article explores the adequacy of the regulatory frameworks and robustness of the enforcement approaches adopted in Zimbabwe and South Africa. This is also done in the context of the African Union (AU)’s Agenda 2063 goal of enabling trade linkages amongst African countries.

A Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Mutual Aid on the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic Response

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, responses of mutual aid took place at both the national and community levels. A study was conducted in the United Kingdom to investigate how grassroots community action helps people during pandemics and other types of emergency circumstances to meet their immediate health, care and social needs. In addition, the necessity for community self-organization, its success, and any challenges that developed are also evaluated. Methods An interpretative approach was utilised in order to gain an understanding of the points of view held by (N = 15) organisers, volunteers, and people who received support from mutual aid, who were a part of the first mutual aid group that was founded by a community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A purposive sampling technique was used with semi-structured interviews conducted virtually. The results of the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results The results of the interviews yielded the following themes: 1) lack of trust in government during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) people feeling forgotten by the national government and their local council, and 3) the need to support vulnerable populations and members of the community, including those who belong to marginalized groups. It has been demonstrated how grassroots community organizing may build community cohesiveness and attempts to reinforce local and national government activities, particularly in times of emergency, that can bring communities together to assist one another. Conclusions This approach could be used to co-produce sustainable public health services in collaboration with communities and government, building trust and meeting population health needs by co-creating equitable services while also developing community cohesiveness. Key messages • This study is innovative. The community identified their needs and developed a support system. • Working with a local council to develop a sustainable community service to meet the population health needs of the community.

Resilience in the Time of a Pandemic: Developing Public Policies for Ollas Comunes in Peru

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has created economic, social, and food security crises in many countries throughout the world. Faced with growing hunger in Peru, and the government’s delayed and inadequate reaction, the most important response came from the citizens themselves, particularly the women, in the form of thousands of social care initiatives known as ollas comunes (literally ‘communal pots’, similar to soup kitchens, whereby local communities pool their resources to supply food for everyone in the neighbourhood). This article tells the parallel stories of the resurgence of these ollas comunes and the state-funded support initiatives, alongside the process followed by GRADE (Group for the Analysis of Development – Grupo de Análisis para el Desarrollo; a non-profit research centre founded in Peru) that enabled it to contribute to those institutions looking to improve access to food for the most vulnerable people. Both stories are underpinned by a common ability to adapt quickly, which is crucial for achieving objectives in uncertain and ever‑changing situations.

Recent trends in doctoral education in India

ABSTRACT This article discusses the recent trends in doctoral education in India in the changing context of higher education in the country. This context is characterised by the gradual withdrawal of state patronage for this level of education and the coterminous rise of the private sector, the formulation and implementation of the national framework for doctoral education in 2016, the adoption of the National Education Policy 2020 by the Government of India, and the devastating effect of the pandemic of coronavirus (Covid-19) since 2020. It focuses on the pattern of enrolment and out-turn of doctoral students, and on the different aspects of doctoral education such as structure, curriculum, supervision, and examination.

Surgical management during three phases of covid-19 pandemic with changing role of thoracic computerized tomography imaging in orthopaedic patient management: Lessons learned by orthopaedic surgeon

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has ravaged the whole world. It had affected the allied surgical branches that had to reinvent the protocols for patient management. Trauma being inevitable, needed urgent attention. The changing perspectives had a defining role in the direction of arthroplasty too.The pandemic has been considered into three different phases: 1. The acute phase of the lockdown; 2. The intermediate phase of surgical prioritization; 3. The late phase of surgical management post-vaccination.We deliberate on the impact of the pandemic on orthopaedic surgery and the role of Thoracic computerized tomography (Th-CT) imaging during Covid-19 on the surgical practice of orthopaedic surgeons. Th-CT had been useful imaging during the acute phase of lockdown in the pandemic to identify the asymptomatic Covid-19 infection and to gauge the severity of viral infection. We reviewed the guidelines formulated during each step and identified the lessons learned by the practicing orthopaedic surgeon. We further elaborate on the changes in the usage of Th-CT in the subsequent intermediate and late phases of the pandemic for orthopaedic surgeons. The critical consideration remained to achieve an uneventful recovery during the orthopaedic surgical management, to avoid the transmissibility of infection to the surgeon, and to protect the patient from the high morbidity and mortality of Covid-19 related illness. The Covid-19 pandemic has instigated orthopaedists to develop a holistic approach to deal with the new challenges during this pandemic era.

How Palliative Care Social Workers across the Globe Overcame Practical Challenges to Engaging in Research

Abstract With the unique set of values underpinning the social work profession, evidence-based practice must be informed by practitioners well versed in the impact of cultural, political, geographical, economic and general social factors on clinical work. Within the speciality of Palliative Care Social Work (PCSW), these factors influence the level of integration and upskilling of Palliative Care Social Workers (PCSWs). This article describes the collaborative methods used by Palliative Care Social Work (PCSW) practitioners and research-active academics to conduct a global survey of PCSWs about their professional experiences during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, with a view to better understand their respective roles and identities across regions. The authors of this study suggest that collaboration is key to drawing upon a diverse number of clinical, pedagogic and academic networks to optimise the survey response rate and raise the profile of PCSWs. The authors describe and reflect on the practical and cultural challenges encountered in conducting the survey.

Impact of VA's video telehealth tablets on substance use disorder care during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundTelehealth has the potential to improve health care access for patients but it has been underused and understudied for examining patients with substance use disorders (SUD). VA began distributing video-enabled tablets to veterans with access barriers in 2016 to facilitate participation in home-based telehealth and expanded this program in 2020 due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. ObjectiveExamine the impact of VA's video-enabled telehealth tablets on mental health services for patients diagnosed with SUD. MethodsThis study included VA patients who had ≥1 mental health visit in the calendar year 2019 and a documented diagnosis of SUD. Using difference-in-differences and event study designs, we compared outcomes for SUD-diagnosed patients who received a video-enabled tablet from VA between March 15th, 2020 and December 31st, 2021 and SUD-diagnosed patients who never received VA tablets, 10 months before and after tablet-issuance. Outcomes included monthly frequency of SUD psychotherapy visits, SUD specialty group therapy visits and SUD specialty individual outpatient visits. We examined changes in video visits and changes in visits across all modalities of care (video, phone, and in-person). Regression models adjusted for several covariates such as age, sex, rurality, race, ethnicity, physical and mental health chronic conditions, and broadband coverage in patients' residential zip-code. ResultsThe cohort included 21,684 SUD-diagnosed tablet-recipients and 267,873 SUD-diagnosed non-recipients. VA's video-enabled tablets were associated with increases in video visits for SUD psychotherapy (+3.5 visits/year), SUD group therapy (+2.1 visits/year) and SUD individual outpatient visits (+1 visit/year), translating to increases in visits across all modalities (in-person, phone and video): increase of 18 % for SUD psychotherapy (+1.9 visits/year), 10 % for SUD specialty group therapy (+0.5 visit/year), and 4 % for SUD specialty individual outpatient treatment (+0.5 visit/year). ConclusionsVA's distribution of video-enabled tablets during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with higher engagement with video-based services for SUD care among patients diagnosed with SUD, translating to modest increases in total visits across in-person, phone and video modalities. Distribution of video-enabled devices can offer patients critical continuity of SUD therapy, particularly in scenarios where they have heightened barriers to in-person care.

THE EFFECTS OF MUSIC ON MENTAL HEALTH AND COVID-19

The coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic has had numerous effects on global societies, including socially, politically, and economically. Social distancing regulations, school closures, mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE), amongst increasing financial burdens due to unemployment, have all contributed to a rise in societal mental health challenges. Listening to music can be perceived as an effective means through which mental health challenges can be alleviated, thereby contributing to positive wellbeing. This study aims to understand the effects of music on mental health and covid-19. There is an endeavour to recommend solutions to facilitate individuals towards improved mental wellbeing through music. A systematic literature review has been implemented within this study. Results have revealed the following factors: music and relaxation; music and inspiration; music and mood; music and expression. This study has deduced that that listening to music can have a positive impact on mental wellness as it can change emotions only if music is chosen correctly. Individuals feeling anxious or depressed tend to intensify their emotions by listening to depressing music, alternatively they can choose music to alter their emotions to happy and excited. Essentially music has the power to set the mood, create emotional changes promote sustainable mental health healing which can be utilised in the contemporary world post-covid-19.

EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON INNER PEACE AND HAPPINESS

The coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic has resulted in global societies encountering several changes. This ranges from the lockdown regulations, wearing personal protective equipment and technological progression. Many individuals soon became physically disconnected from family and friends alongside carrying out social activities they enjoyed, providing them with the happiness and zeal to face the challenges in life. This study aims to understand the effects of covid-19 pandemic on inner peace and happiness. The objective is to facilitate individuals towards cultivating inner peace and happiness in the new normal world, through a literature review. Results have revealed that numerous individuals faced loneliness and negative mental health challenges like anxiety and depression where they developed negative emotions, affecting their inner peace and happiness. They have been affected by daily routine disruptions, lack of physical social contact and economic challenges affecting physical and mental health. Accepting physical change and altering the thought process through the power of the mind, is the first step to cultivating inner peace. The negative energy released into the world from negative information disseminated through media and social media, the struggle for power and accumulation of wealth has impinged upon human inner peace. Recommendations have been made to cultivate sustainable inner peace and happiness through daily meditation practices and continual learning.