COVID-19 Lockdown Research Articles

Short and medium-term effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns on child and parent accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary time: a natural experiment

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in marked impacts on children’s physical activity, with large reductions in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) reported during lockdowns. Previous evidence showed children’s activity levels were lower and sedentary time higher immediately post-COVID lockdown, while there was little change in parental physical activity. We need to know if these patterns persist. Methods Active-6 is a natural experiment using repeated cross-sectional data conducted in two waves. Accelerometer data were collected on 393 children aged 10–11 and their parents from 23 schools in Wave 1 (June 2021-December 2021), and 436 children and parents from 27 schools in Wave 2 (January 2022-July 2022). These were compared to a pre-COVID-19 comparator group (March 2017-May 2018) of 1,296 children and parents in the same schools. Mean minutes of accelerometer-measured MVPA and sedentary time were derived for week- and weekend-days and compared across waves via linear multilevel models. We also analysed the date of data collection as a time series, to explore temporal patterns via generalised additive mixed models. Results There was no difference in children’s mean MVPA in Wave 2 (weekdays: -2.3 min; 95% CI: -5.9, 1.3 and weekends: 0.6 min; 95% CI: -3.5, 4.6) when compared to the pre-COVID-19 data. Sedentary time remained higher than pre-pandemic by 13.2 min (95% CI:5.3, 21.1) on weekdays. Differences compared to pre-COVID-19 changed over time, with children’s MVPA decreasing over winter, coinciding with COVID-19 outbreaks, and only returning to pre-pandemic levels towards May/June 2022. Parents’ sedentary time and weekday MVPA was similar to pre-COVID-19 levels, with MVPA higher than pre-pandemic by 7.7 min (95% CI: 1.4, 14.0) on weekends. Conclusion After an initial drop, children’s MVPA returned to pre-pandemic levels by July 2022, while sedentary time remained higher. Parents’ MVPA remained higher, especially at weekends. The recovery in physical activity is precarious and potentially susceptible to future COVID-19 outbreaks or changes in provision, and so robust measures to protect against future disruptions are needed. Furthermore, many children are still inactive, with only 41% meeting UK physical activity guidelines, and so there is still a need to increase children’s physical activity.

Moving with uncertainties: The development of Six Positions on Uncertainty

Between March and June of 2020, in the first round of COVID-19 lockdowns, I made Six Positions on Uncertainty, a six-channel movement video from scores that grew out of my wrestling with the fear, confusion and isolation that lockdown brought, while also thinking through the myriad of influences in my movement training history. With the world at a precipice, I asked, how do I want to move now? Not how have I been trained to move or approach moving, but what aspects of those trainings do I still want to embrace, and which would I like to jettison? In this article I discuss how I built the structure and material for the piece, paying particular attention to the many sources that informed its development, moving out of universalist ‘theories of’ or ‘proposals of’ a body and into the individual ‘practice’ put forward by my complicated and multifaceted history.

A multi-perspective qualitative exploration of the reasons for changes in the physical activity among 10–11-year-old children following the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK in 2021

Abstract Background Active-6 is exploring how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted physical activity behaviour among Year 6 children (aged 10–11 years) and their parents in Southwest England. Initial findings from the Active-6 project have shown a 7–8 min decrease in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and an increase in sedentary behaviour among children following the easing of restrictions in the UK in latter half of 2021. This finding suggests that the pandemic has had a persistent impact on child physical activity behaviour. This paper explored the possible mechanisms behind these changes. Methods Interviews with parents (n = 21), members of school staff (n = 9) and focus groups with children aged 10–11 years (n = 47) were conducted between August and December 2021 to discuss the impact of the pandemic on child physical activity behaviour. The framework method was used for analysis. Results Five themes spanning two key stages of the pandemic were described. Three themes related to the period of lockdowns and fluctuating restrictions (March 2020 – April 2021). These included: Theme 1) Lockdown: A short-lived adventure; Theme 2) Access to facilities during restrictions; and Theme 3) The importance of the parent. A further two themes were identified related to the period following the gradual easing of restrictions in April 2021. These included: Theme 4) An overwhelming return to normal; and Theme 5) Reopening fatigue. Conclusions The analysis suggested that feelings of novelty experienced during the initial stages of lockdown waned as restrictions were prolonged, creating an increasingly challenging period for parents and their children. However, during periods of restrictions, the importance of parental encouragement and access to appropriate facilities in the local and home environment helped facilitate physical activity. Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, emotional overwhelm and physical fatigue among children, stemming from a sedentary and socially isolated life in lockdown and other restrictions, were key contributors to the decreased moderate to vigorous physical activity and increased sedentary behaviour that was observed in a related quantitative study.

‘Not only bad things happened in the COVID-19 lockdown’: Lived experience of individuals with eating disorders symptoms

‘Not only bad things happened in the COVID-19 lockdown’: Lived experience of individuals with eating disorders symptoms

Did social isolation affect anxiety and sleep quality of elite soccer players during the COVID-19 lockdown? Comparisons to training before distancing in the pandemic and outlook for mental health

Did social isolation affect anxiety and sleep quality of elite soccer players during the COVID-19 lockdown? Comparisons to training before distancing in the pandemic and outlook for mental health

Web discussions on cardiovascular diseases: pre-COVID-19 evaluation and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – Web listening analysis in the Italian population

BackgroundWeb discussions on health issues are becoming very relevant in the general public. In this context, little information is available regarding cardiovascular diseases, which remain the first cause of morbidity, disability and mortality worldwide. The central objective of the study was to conduct a Web listening analysis on discussions about cardiovascular diseases in Italy, comparing the data relative to the 2-year pre-COVID-19 pandemic period with those collected during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (March-July 2020), with quantification of conversations on cardiovascular disease and Web-based discussions and specific evaluation of COVID-19 lockdown impact.MethodsA retrospective Web listening analysis using publicly available data was conducted, using validated methods that allow to estimate cardiovascular disease awareness. Digital sources were identified to retrieve data (Italian language), relevant to cardiovascular disease topics. Data were analysed by Google Trends methodology and the Digital Intelligence Platform Brandwatch. Natural Language Processing algorithms enabled comparative analysis, topic detection, classification, leading to a 279,790-item dataset.ResultsNews channels and Twitter were the most important platforms feeding cardiovascular disease information. Facebook was mostly relevant for information sharing. In the pre-COVID-19 period, cardiovascular disease ranked 5th among main health issues (vaccines, tumors, influenza, diabetes) on the Web, and the most discussed cardiovascular disease themes were symptoms/diagnosis (34%), treatments (20%), disease causes/triggers (11%), disease information (9%), quality of life (8%). Conversations on cardiovascular disease prevention were marginal (5%). The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown strongly impacted on discussed topics; novel themes emerged: hospitalization, death risk/occurrence, greater cardiovascular disease risk. Discussions on cardiovascular disease prevention remained marginal (4%). COVID-19 pandemic increased fear of severe COVID-19 among patients with cardiovascular disease and worsened quality of relationship/contact with physicians.ConclusionsA limited awareness of cardiovascular disease and their prevention was observed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients/caregivers need more information and contact with physicians, as it emerged during COVID-19 pandemic. It is urgent to promote novel prevention strategies and to engage people leveraging digital channels and social media.Graphical

From ride hailing to food hailing: Understanding on-demand food delivery through platform urbanism and urban policy in Canadian cities

ABSTRACT This paper examines the pivot that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic from ride hailing to food hailing. In 2020, the global spread of COVID-19 challenged urban life, raising questions about the prospects for digital mobility platforms. Pandemic restrictions resulted in dramatic changes in mobility patterns globally, including significant declines in demand for ride hailing. Concurrently, with restaurants closed to indoor and outdoor dining for extended periods in many cities around the world, restaurateurs worked diligently to adjust their business models. During the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown, ride hailing firms such as Uber shifted their efforts from moving people to moving food and other goods. With a particular focus on Canada, we document this pivot and analyze its significance using evidence from case studies and interviews with multiple actors involved in the food and platform delivery ecosystem in major North American cities. We discovered both mutually beneficial and friction-filled relationships in the business, social and organizational logistics of digital food delivery. These results have implications for theories of platform urbanism and urban policy including highlighting new forms of competition that prioritize the role of urban infrastructure for creating value for platform firms.

Were COVID-19 lockdowns worth it? A meta-analysis

AbstractFollowing the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented use of mandatory lockdowns—defined as the imposition of at least one compulsory, non-pharmaceutical intervention—took place. We conduct a meta-analysis to determine the effect of these lockdowns on COVID-19 mortality. Our meta-analysis finds that lockdowns in the spring of 2020 had a relatively small effect on COVID-19 mortality and is consistent with the view that voluntary changes in behavior, such as social distancing, played an important role in mitigating the pandemic. Given the enormous economic costs associated with lockdowns and our findings of the relatively small health benefits, the efficacy of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic is called into question.

Unique events improve episodic richness, enhance mood, and alter the perception of time during isolation

Living in isolation is associated with a lack of stimulating experiences, which negatively impacts quality of life and increases risk of advancing cognitive decline for older adults. We examined how engaging in unique events would enhance memory and improve well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, a period characterized by social isolation and monotonous daily experiences lacking diversity. Over 8-weeks during lockdowns, 18 healthy older adults used a smartphone-based application called “HippoCamera”, capturing a total of 670 unique and routine events with short audio-video cues that were later replayed to prompt memory. As expected, unique events were recalled in greater episodic detail relative to routine events. Importantly, unique events were related to increased positive affect, decreased boredom, and the perception of time moving faster. These findings highlight the benefit of unique experiences for both memory and well-being, as well as suggest future interventions to benefit older adults who tend to experience higher levels of social isolation.

Improvement of Bio-Optical Characteristics of Seawater in the Southern Caspian Sea Basin Triggered by COVID-19 Lockdowns: Insights from Remote Sensing Data

Multiple studies have demonstrated that human activities have significant impacts on aquatic ecosystems, particularly in coastal areas. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with the sharp decline in industrial, transportation, and tourism activities, provided an opportunity to examine the impact of these changes on seawater quality in this study, using MODIS-Aqua satellite data, changes in key seawater quality indicators, including chlorophyll-a, dissolved organic matter, and suspended particles, were evaluated in the coastal and offshore areas of the Southern Caspian Sea basin during pre-lockdown and lockdown periods. The data analysis results showed a significant reduction in chlorophyll-a concentration in coastal areas and in dissolved organic matter in both coastal and offshore areas during the lockdown period. More specifically, this reduction was 24.9% and 40.7% for chlorophyll-a, and 22.1% and 19.5% for dissolved organic matter in coastal and offshore areas, respectively. The decline in these indicators reflects an improvement in seawater quality and a reduction in organic pollutant loads in these areas. The findings of this study highlight that reduced human activities have visibly positive effects on marine aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, continuous monitoring of bio-optical parameters changes and improving wastewater treatment processes before discharge into aquatic environments are of particular importance. This study also demonstrates that global pandemics can provide experimental opportunities to study the effects of human activities on the environment.

Early Surgical Outcomes in Infective Endocarditis Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with extremely high surgical mortality. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, hospitals restructured their intensive care units and outpatient services to prioritize COVID-19 care, which may have affected the outcomes of patients requiring urgent procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on surgical outcomes of IE patients in Southern Germany. This observational, community-based study compared two cohorts of surgical candidates: a pandemic cohort from March 2020 to November 2021 (n=84) and a pre-pandemic cohort from August 2018 to March 2020 (before the lockdown, n=94). Preoperative status and postoperative in-hospital complications were analyzed and compared between groups. The pandemic cohort experienced longer symptom onset to diagnosis intervals (14.5 vs. 8 days, p = 0.529). A higher incidence of definite IE was observed after the lockdown according to the modified Duke criteria (82.1% vs. 68.1%, p = 0.035). Patients presented with more severe symptoms post-lockdown (NYHA Class III: 50% vs. 33%; Class IV: 22.6% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.001). Postoperative complications, such as re-thoracotomy due to bleeding and hemofiltration for acute renal failure, were significantly more frequent after the lockdown (p < 0.05). However, in-hospital survival rates did not differ significantly between the groups. The COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown measures were associated with delayed diagnoses and worse perioperative outcomes for surgical IE patients, highlighting the need for improved management strategies during public health crises.

Examining the Spatial and Temporal Variation of PM2.5 and Its Linkage with Meteorological Conditions in Dhaka, Bangladesh

This study investigates the temporal and spatial variations in PM2.5 concentrations in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 2001 to 2023 and evaluates the impact of meteorological factors and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies on air pollution. Using satellite and ground-based data, this study analyzed the seasonal trends, daily fluctuations, and the influence of COVID-19 lockdown measures on air quality. Our findings reveal a persistent increase in PM2.5 levels, particularly during winter, with concentrations frequently exceeding WHO guidelines. Our analysis suggests significant correlations between meteorological conditions and PM2.5 concentration, highlighting the significant role of meteorological conditions, such as rainfall, humidity, and temperature, in modulating PM2.5 levels. Our analysis found that PM2.5 levels exhibited a significant inverse correlation with relative humidity (r = −0.72), rainfall (r = −0.69), and temperatures (r = −0.79), highlighting the role of meteorological conditions in mitigating pollution levels. Additionally, the study underscores the temporary improvements in air quality during lockdown periods, demonstrating the potential benefits of sustained emission control measures. The research emphasizes the need for comprehensive and multi-faceted air quality management strategies, including stringent vehicular and industrial emissions regulations, enhancement of urban green spaces, and public awareness campaigns to mitigate the adverse health impacts of PM2.5 pollution in Dhaka.

Ascertainment of community exposure sites to Ross River virus during the 2020 outbreak in Brisbane, Australia.

This study investigated potential Ross River virus (RRV) exposure sites in Greater Brisbane during the Queensland COVID-19 lockdown (January-July 2020). Using RRV notifications, cluster identification techniques, and mobile phone data for movement network analysis, the study examined 993 RRV cases and 9 million movement trajectories from residential RRV cluster areas (hot-spots). The findings revealed that population movement was a key risk factor to RRV incidence within hotspots whereby highly interconnected areas had more RRV cases during lockdown. While environmental conditions within RRV hot-spot were less significant compared to their connectivity, areas with higher vegetation density had fewer RRV cases. The study also noted that individuals from RRV hot-spots spent less time in green areas pre-lockdown than during and after lockdown. The results suggest that population movement significantly influenced the 2020 RRV outbreak. These insights can help adapt current vector control and surveillance protocols to target areas identified in this study.

Perioperative severity of acute appendicitis during the confinement related to SARS COVID-19: a retrospective comparative cohort.

To evaluate the perioperative severity of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the same periods in 2018 and 2019 in the Nancy-Metz region, France. Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency that can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns resulted in reduced hospital visits, potentially delaying treatment for appendicitis and increasing perioperative severity. This retrospective, bicentric cohort study included 634 adult patients who underwent emergency appendectomy at the Nancy University Hospital and Metz Regional Hospital. The study compared patients from the pandemic period (March 17, 2020, to December 14, 2020) with those from the same periods in 2018 and 2019. The primary outcome was perioperative severity, defined by a Gomes score ≥ 3 and/or a Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ 3. Secondary outcomes included time to treatment, severity of biological inflammatory syndrome, postoperative complications, and hospitalization metrics. Logistic regression analyses were performed with adjustments for ASA scores. The study included 194 patients from the COVID-19 cohort and 440 from the non-COVID cohort. The perioperative severity was higher during the COVID period (33.5% vs. 25.9%), though this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.0845). Secondary outcomes such as time to treatment, severity of the inflammatory syndrome, and postoperative complications did not show significant differences between cohorts. However, the duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy was longer during the COVID period (6days vs. 5days, p = 0.0410). The COVID-19 pandemic led to a non-significant increase in perioperative severity of acute appendicitis. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the French healthcare system maintained effective management of surgical emergencies, with no significant increase in postoperative complications. Further research is required to explore the broader impact of the pandemic on the management of appendicitis.

Experiences and Perspectives of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccinations in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Populations in Australia: A Qualitative Study.

Qualitative research surrounding the impacts of COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy has been extensively studied in the European context; however, limited research has been conducted within communities in the Australian context. This research paper highlights the issues experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) members during the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination rollout. The purpose of this study is to strengthen our understanding of the challenges experienced by CALD communities and enable healthcare policies to be developed and implemented to prevent these communities from being disadvantaged in a healthcare crisis.The methods of this study include focus group sessions with 12 participants from CALD backgrounds across different states including Victoria, Northern Territory, and Queensland. They were divided into two separate Zoom sessions and aimed to amplify the voices in Victoria, as the state had the nation's longest and most challenging COVID-19 lockdown laws. Key findings of the study highlighted the language barriers, racism, and lack of cultural awareness experienced among CALD communities during the pandemic. Additionally, there was a significant division in views and experiences within CALD communities and families. Social media played a prominent role in dividing the perceptions and understanding of health information during the pandemic. Participants were motivated to be vaccinated due to workplace protocols or to protect their family members and move toward normality. Lastly, the government's mandatory vaccination policies limited personal choice, resulting in a loss of skilled workers and pressured some participants into making healthcare decisions within a limited period of time. The study's findings reflect that the CALD communities and families were disproportionately impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination rollout, further highlighting and adding to the health inequities among CALD communities in Australia.

Linking Meteorological Variables and Particulate Matter PM2.5 in the Aburrá Valley, Colombia

Environmental pollution indicated by the presence of PM2.5 particulate matter varies based on prevailing atmospheric conditions described by certain meteorological variables. Consequently, it is important to understand atmospheric behavior in areas such as the Aburrá Valley, which experiences recurrent pollution events twice a year. This study examines the behavior of specific meteorological variables and PM2.5 particulate matter in the Aburrá Valley. By using statistical analysis tools such as correlation coefficients, principal component analysis (PCA), and multiple linear regression models, the research identifies relationships between PM2.5 and daily cycles of temperature, rainfall, radiation, and wind speed and direction. Datasets were analyzed considering periods before and after the COVID-19 lockdown (pre-pandemic and pandemic, respectively), and specific pollution events were also analyzed. Furthermore, this work considers the relationships between PM2.5 and meteorological variables, contrasting the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. This study characterizes diurnal cycles of meteorological variables and their relationship with PM2.5. There are consistent patterns among temperature, atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) height, and solar radiation, whereas precipitation and relative humidity show the opposite behavior. PM2.5 exhibits similar relative frequency functions during both daytime and nighttime, regardless of rainfall. An inverse relationship is noted between PM2.5 levels and ABL height at different times of the day. Moreover, the PCA results show that the first principal component explains around 60% of the total variance in the hydrometeorological data. The second PC explains 10%, and the rest of the variance is distributed among the other three to eight PCs. In this sense, there is no significant difference between the two PCAs with hydrometeorological data from a pre-pandemic period and a COVID-19 pandemic period. Multiple regression analysis indicates a significant and consistent dependence of PM2.5 on temperature and solar radiation across both analyzed periods. The application of Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) to our dataset yielded promising results, reflecting the complex relationship between meteorological variables and PM2.5 concentrations. The metrics obtained from the GAM were as follows: Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 98.04, Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 9.90, R-squared (R2) of 0.24, Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) of 110,051.34, and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) of 110,140.63. In comparison, the linear regression model exhibited slightly higher MSE (100.49), RMSE (10.02), and lower R-squared (0.22), with AIC and BIC values of 110,407.45 and 110,460.67, respectively. Although the improvement in performance metrics from GAM over the linear model is not conclusive, they indicate a better fit for the complexity of atmospheric dynamics influencing PM2.5 levels. These findings underscore the intricate interplay of meteorological factors and particulate matter concentration, reinforcing the necessity for advanced modeling techniques in environmental studies. This work presents new insights that enhance the diagnosis, understanding, and modeling of environmental pollution, thereby supporting informed decision-making and strengthening management efforts.

The effects of COVID-19 lockdown and reopening on rest-activity rhythms in Singaporean working adults: A longitudinal age group comparison study

Study objectivesCOVID-19 mobility restrictions disrupted daily rhythms worldwide, but how this rhythm disruption differs across age groups is unclear. We examined the course of age-related differences in trajectories of rest-activity rhythm during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and reopening in Singapore. We also evaluated the association of these patterns with mental well-being. Methods24-hour step count data (Fitbit) were obtained from 617 younger (age range: 21-40) and 602 older adults (age range: 55-70) from January 2020 (baseline) through lockdown (April 2020) and reopening periods until August 2021. Nonparametric rest-activity rhythm metrics: interdaily stability, intradaily variability and most active 10-hour period (M10) were computed. Longitudinal changes in rest-activity rhythm, age-related differences in changes, and the associations between mental well-being and these changes were assessed using nonlinear latent-growth models. ResultsIn younger adults, mobility restrictions during lockdown caused significant decline in interdaily stability and M10, alongside significant increase in intradaily variability. However, in older adults, changes were confined to increased intradaily variability and decreased M10. Older adults also showed less change in intradaily variability and M10 compared to younger adults. Gradual recovery of rest-activity rhythm metrics during reopening was observed, with interdaily stability and M10 remaining lower after 15months post-lockdown. In younger but not older adults, a larger decline in interdaily stability was associated with poorer mental well-being 15months post-lockdown. ConclusionYounger adults appear more vulnerable than older adults to mobility restrictions as reflected in their rest-activity rhythm metrics. A significant disruption of daily routine may have long-lasting effects on younger adults’ mental well-being. Statement of significanceAlthough stringent mobility restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 were imposed primarily to protect older adults, we found that younger adults were more vulnerable to rhythm disruption arising from mobility restrictions. Disrupted rhythm stability was associated with poorer mental well-being 15months after the lockdown ended in younger but not older adults. These asymmetric long-term effects on mental health on younger relative to older adults should be kept in mind when planning for large-scale catastrophes linked to mobility restrictions.

Level of Awareness of ICT Tools Among the Faculty Working in Higher Education Institutions in the Malabar Region, Kerala

Introduction: The advent of internet and innovative technologies has rendered learning solution for universities currently navigating an environment of passionate change. Universally, the COVID-19 lockdown has impacted every facet of life, and education is no exception. Understanding faculty perceptions on e-learning technologies is essential for the successful growth of academic programs. Objective: This study aims to investigate college faculty members current status and future expectations regarding e-learning. Method: It is an empirical research study encompassing faculty teaching higher education in arts, sciences, humanities, engineering, and health sciences. The purposive sampling, with a sample size of 389 is adopted for the study. The primary data is collected through questionnaire. Descriptive Statistics and Regression, aided by IBM SPSS Statistics 22, are employed for analysis and interpretation. Results: The study reveals a moderate awareness level towards E-Learning.

The COVID-19 pandemic and social cognitive outcomes in early childhood

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns led to sweeping changes in the everyday lives of children and families, including school closures, remote work and learning, and social distancing. To date no study has examined whether these profound changes in young children’s day to day social interactions impacted the development of social cognition skills in early childhood. To address this question, we compared the performance of two cohorts of 3.5- to 5.5-year-old children tested before and after the COVID-19 lockdowns on several measures of false-belief understanding, a critical social cognition skill that undergoes important developments in this age range. Controlling for age and language skills, children tested after the pandemic demonstrated significantly worse false-belief understanding than those tested before the pandemic, and this difference was larger for children from lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds. These results suggest that the pandemic negatively impacted the development of social cognition skills in early childhood, especially for lower SES children.

My body is a short-circuit that doesn’t need fixing: a disabled remediation of Zoom

Abstract During COVID-19 lockdowns, I started doing watercolor paintings of the interface of the videoconferencing program Zoom. Because I have a neurological disability, Zoom feels horrible for me to use; painting focused me and helped me cope. Using disability and these painting “remediations” as methods, I argue that digital interfaces function by sensorially training users to smoothly integrate as part of their operation. Disability is merely a word for the failure of a medium to properly interpellate a subject into the orientation necessary to facilitate its smooth functionality. Instead of suggesting accommodating upgrades to Zoom, I refuse the ableist demands of increased productivity that Zoom turns into requirements, and that require Zoom in order to register as norms. Using Zoom as a case study, my goal is to push back against the expectation that bodies passively adapt to the roll-out of technical systems, and the norms they operationalize.