COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions Research Articles

How did refugees and migrants’ solidarity initiatives become an intervention for disaster and humanitarian response during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cape Town, South Africa?

The impact of COVID-19 on refugees and migrants in South Africa has been profound and multifaceted. Refugees, that is, people who are vulnerable due to displacement, have faced a series of challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. These challenges include health risks, limited healthcare access, economic hardships, food insecurity, disruptions in education, mental health concerns, stigmatization, and xenophobia. The pandemic disrupted asylum procedures and hindered the delivery of humanitarian assistance. While there were efforts to address these issues, the highlighting the need for targeted support and policies to protect and assist this vulnerable population during and after the pandemic. Refugees and migrant communities are among the most vulnerable groups during disasters and humanitarian responses. This vulnerability could be exacerbated by their presence in foreign lands, where they are legitimately discriminated against due to illegality, unrecognized documents/permits, or simply being foreign. Additionally, when new arrivals or immigrant groups are perceived as poorly integrated or as rivaling locals for limited resources, declining public support might occasionally limit the scope for robust humanitarian protection measures. To minimize the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African government implemented a financial stimulus package that supported complimentary monitoring measures for the citizens. However, the government’s response to refugees and migrants focused mainly on closing the land border, with limited social protection for refugees and asylum seekers. Perhaps the most significant benefit of COVID-19 was global solidarity to curb its spread and humanitarian assistance in the areas of health, finance, and other relief items such as food. One can assume that the collective self of the global community exhibited high levels of solidarity despite some discrimination being observed in the areas of vaccines. Indeed, disaster-stricken communities need solidarity, not charity, as observed during the pandemic. This article theorizes how the existing structure of solidarity scholarship purposefully incorporates both the necessity of tangible responses to people’s needs and the alternative conceptions of participation and self-organization. This study utilized a qualitative approach, collecting data from selected migrant and refugee communities in urban centers of Cape Town, including participants from Bellville central business district (CBD), Parow Centre, Goodwood Centre, and Cape Town CBD, who provided humanitarian support during the pandemic. In total, seven interviews were carried out, and participants were selected depending on their availability using a combination of purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were analyzed thematically based on the research question. The study drew on the pragmatic realities of refugees and migrants’ solidarity initiatives and explored how they contributed to the COVID-19 humanitarian response in Cape Town, South Africa. This research aimed to investigate how solidarity initiatives led by refugees and migrants have functioned as interventions for disaster and humanitarian response in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cape Town, South Africa. The study findings from participants revealed that members of refugee and migrant communities relied on a vital solidarity initiative as coping strategy in order to deal with the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine restrictions.

Education, organizational changes, and enforcement challenges of the 2019 flavored tobacco sales restriction in Massachusetts

ObjectivesIn November 2019, the Massachusetts legislature passed An Act Modernizing Tobacco Control and became the first state to restrict retail sales of all flavored (including menthol) cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products (the Act). Additional tobacco control policies and health insurance coverage for tobacco treatment were included as part of the Act. Implementation of these policies occurred between November 2019 and June 2020. This study explored challenges and facilitators during the implementation of the Act experienced by public health officials, school personnel, and healthcare providers. MethodsWe conducted in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 9 public health officials and advocates, 9 school personnel, and 8 healthcare providers from March to December 2021. We conducted thematic analysis of interview transcripts using inductive codes of key themes emerging from the interviews. ResultsInterviewees highlighted three key themes that impacted the implementation of the Act: 1) Education of those impacted by the Act, 2) Organizational-level changes to incorporate the Act, and 3) Enforcement challenges. Examples of challenges to the implementation of the Act included COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, navigating tobacco industry tactics around naming flavors, and confusion regarding health insurance coverage for tobacco use cessation programs. Examples of facilitators were enforcement leading to retailer compliance, committed advocacy efforts of leadership/champions, and strong coordination within and between organizations. ConclusionsThese findings of Massachusetts’s experience in policy implementation can inform the preparation to implement similar tobacco control policies in other states.

Incidence of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in humans during the COVID-19 pandemic in Baluchistan Province, Pakistan.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the neglected tropical diseases that affects impoverished communities throughout the world. In Pakistan CL is an endemic disease. This study aimed to determine the incidence of CL infection in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan from January 2020 to March 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1047 clinically suspected cases of CL from Bolan Medical College Hospital, Quetta, were followed up in the study. The data regarding the epidemiological characterstics, pathological information, and treatment of patients was collected. Out of 1047 probable cases of CL, 594 (56.73%) cases were found to be positive for CL. Females had the highest infection rate, with the majority of reported cases being in the 0-9-year age group. Most CL cases were reported in April in the year 2020, with a few cases reported in June. But in the year 2021, the highest number of cases were reported in December. The number of overall cases has gradually increased in the year 2022, most likely because of the reduction in COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The p value for the positive as compared to suspected cases in the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 was calculated as 0.8925, 0.8763, and 0.8535 respectively. Further epidemiological studies and health education campaigns are recommended to increase public awareness. It is strongly advised that local, provincial, and national health authorities establish and maintain effective leishmaniasis surveillance systems to promptly identify disease outbreaks and implement timely control measures.

Evaluation of Bait Acceptance and Immune Response in Local Dogs during an Oral Rabies Vaccination Field Study in Morocco

The objective of this study was to evaluate the bait preference of three selected bait types by local dogs and the induced immunogenicity of the oral rabies vaccine strain SPBN GASGAS in Morocco. The vaccine strain, combined with different bait types, has been tested in many different settings, but not yet in northern Africa. Overall, bait consumption and preference were similar in other studies using the same materials (bait type and sachet). The intestine bait had the highest acceptance rate (97.6%, 95%CI: 87.4–99.9), followed by the egg bait (83.0%, 95%CI: 69.2–92.4). Only 52% (95%CI: 37.4–66.3) of the dogs showed an interest in the fish meal bait. However, considering the successful release of the contents of the sachet (blue-dyed water) into the oral cavity, the egg bait (65.7%, 95%CI: 47.8–80.9) scored better than the intestine bait (51.7%, 95%CI: 32.5–70.6). The dogs selected for the immunogenicity study were offered the egg bait containing a sachet filled with SPBN GASGAS (3.0ml, 107.5 FFU/mL) or were given the same dose by direct oral administration (d.o.a.). In addition, several dogs were vaccinated by the parenteral route (s.c.) using a commercially available inactivated rabies vaccine. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions, it was not possible to collect blood samples directly after vaccination. The blood samples were collected pre-vaccination and on five occasions between 450 and 1088 days post vaccination. The seroconversion rate, as determined for rabies-virus-neutralizing antibodies by the FAVN test, was significantly lower than that found for binding antibodies, as determined by ELISA, for all blood samples collected post vaccination. No treatment effect (bait, d.o.a., s.c.) could be seen in the seroconversion rate. At 15 months post vaccination, 84.2% of the dogs offered vaccine bait still tested sero-positive in ELISA. Only after 3 years was a clear drop in the seroconversion rate observed in all three treatment groups. This study confirms the long-term immunogenicity of the oral rabies vaccine SPBN GASGAS in dogs under field conditions.

Effectiveness and context dependency of social norm interventions: five field experiments on nudging pro-environmental and pro-social behavior.

Social norm interventions hold the potential to change people's behavior. Five field experiments (N = 1,163) examined the effects of a simple and easily realizable social norm nudge based on the social media format "Be like Bill." The nudge consisted of a stick figure named Toni that communicated descriptive and injunctive norms regarding pro-environmental or pro-social behaviors. Nudge conditions were compared to no-intervention control conditions. Experiment 1 (N = 179) focused on paper towel consumption in a women's restroom at a German university. The nudge condition used less paper towels than the control condition, d = 0.48. Experiment 2 (N = 183) replicated this result (d = 0.32) in a more diverse setting of a women's restroom at a German Christmas market. Experiment 3 (N = 250) examined differences in the effects of prescriptive (i.e., 'do-norm') versus proscriptive (i.e., 'do not-norm') social norms on paper towel consumption again in a university women's restroom. The effectiveness of both social norm nudge conditions was shown in comparison to the control condition (d = 0.46; d = 0.40), while the prescriptive and proscriptive social norm manipulations did not differ. Experiment 4 (N = 206) applied the nudging approach to the use of plastic lids in a coffee shop, where no effect was found. Finally, Experiment 5 (N = 345) focused on the pro-social behavior of mask wearing in a bakery toward the end of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in Germany. In the nudge condition, more visitors put on face masks compared to the control group, d = 0.39. Limitations and contextual factors regarding the applicability of our social norm nudge are discussed.

Adaptive Learning Components for Pre-University Students

Abstract The majority of those teaching students in Romanian pre-university education use digital educational resources, educational platforms, and applications that employ artificial intelligence both in the teaching process and in evaluation to support student motivation and improve school results through learning adapted to the needs of the students. During the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, teachers sought new methods and tools to use in online teaching and assessment. Many of them created digital educational resources that they use both for teaching and for evaluating students. In this study, I present the results of research conducted by applying an online questionnaire created with Google Forms to a number of 107 teachers who teach students in Romanian pre-university education. The questionnaire was sent individually through the WhatsApp application to identify the factors that lead to the motivation and improvement of the students' school results. The questionnaire responses were provided during February 20-23, 2024. Digital educational resources, educational platforms, and applications that use artificial intelligence were identified, which are used by teachers to motivate students to learn and to enhance their learning outcomes. The study underscores the significance of tailoring teaching methods to the specific needs of students and highlights the pivotal role of technology in enabling this adaptation process.

Instructors’ experience and acceptance of online mental health training: implementation considerations

ABSTRACT Objective: In 2020, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated physical distancing restrictions, Mental Health First Aid® (MHFA™) face-to-face instruction was paused and existing courses were rapidly redeveloped for online delivery. The new MHFA Blended Online course comprises a self-paced eLearning component and 2 × 2.5-h synchronous video conferencing sessions led by an Instructor. This study uses a qualitative approach to explore Instructors’ experiences and perspectives on pivoting to online MHFA training and whether Instructors perceived whether their teaching style, skill instruction and capacity to engage students translated to an online mode. Methods: Online interviews with 20 Blended Online MHFA course Instructors explored their experiences of the course in six areas: (1) what worked well, (2) what did not work well, (3) feasibility, (4) acceptability, (5) ease of delivery and (6) perceived effectiveness. Results and discussion: Thematic analysis identified that Instructors had favourable experiences with online delivery. Experiences with technology, facilitation and engagement, beliefs about effectiveness, and perceptions of safety are explored, and key challenges discussed. Conclusion: This qualitative study identified that MHFA Blended Online courses are perceived by Instructors as acceptable and effective, though online delivery comes with specific challenges. Implications for future course implementation are discussed.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions on Respiratory Virus Patterns: Insights from RSV Surveillance in Gwangju, South Korea.

The social restriction measures implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the pattern of occurrences of respiratory viruses. According to surveillance results in the Gwangju region of South Korea, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) did not occur during the 2020/2021 season. However, there was a delayed resurgence in the 2021/2022 season, peaking until January 2022. To analyze this, a total of 474 RSV positive samples were investigated before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Among them, 73 samples were selected for whole-genome sequencing. The incidence rate of RSV in the 2021/2022 season after COVID-19 was found to be approximately three-fold higher compared to before the pandemic, with a significant increase observed in the age group from under 2 years old to under 5 years old. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that, for RSV-A, whereas four lineages were observed before COVID-19, only the A.D.3.1 lineage was observed during the 2021/2022 season post-pandemic. Additionally, during the 2022/2023 season, the A.D.1, A.D.3, and A.D.3.1 lineages co-circulated. For RSV-B, while the B.D.4.1.1 lineage existed before COVID-19, both the B.D.4.1.1 and B.D.E.1 lineages circulated after the pandemic. Although atypical RSV occurrences were not due to new lineages, there was an increase in the frequency of mutations in the F protein of RSV after COVID-19. These findings highlight the need to continue monitoring changes in RSV occurrence patterns in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to develop and manage strategies in response.

P.040 Decreased incidence of neuro-autoimmune disorders during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions

Background: Infections are hypothesized to trigger certain autoimmune diseases; however, data surrounding incidence trends of pediatric neuro-autoimmune disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic are lacking. Our retrospective study thus assessed the incidence of pre-defined autoimmune disorders diagnosed at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa, Canada between October 2017 and June 2023. Methods: Inpatient and outpatient charts were queried to identify subjects with neuro-autoimmune disorders or type 1 diabetes (T1D) as a non-neurological autoimmune comparison group. Monthly incidences were calculated and grouped based on three COVID-19 pandemic restriction periods: the pre-restrictions period (October 2017-March 2020), intra-restrictions period (April 2020-June 2022), and post-restrictions period (July 2022-June 2023). Poisson regression models were fit to the incidence data. Results: New diagnoses of neuro-autoimmune disorders and T1D were identified in 86 and 591 subjects, respectively. Incidence of neuro-autoimmune disorders decreased significantly during the intra-pandemic restrictions period when compared to the pre-pandemic period (IRR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.93, P<0.05). Albeit not statistically significant, the incidence then increased to higher than pre-pandemic levels during the post-restrictions period. T1D showed no significant changes in incidence. Conclusions: Incidence of neuro-autoimmune disorders, but not T1D, decreased during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which may be due to reduced transmission of key infectious triggers.

Consumption of illicit drugs and benzodiazepines in six Spanish cities during different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can provide objective and real time information about the use of addictive substances. A national study was conducted by measuring the most consumed illicit drugs, other drugs whose consumption is not so widespread but has increased significantly in recent years, and benzodiazepines in untreated wastewater from seven wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in six Spanish cities. Raw composite wastewater samples were collected from December 2020 to December 2021, a period in which the Spanish and regional governments adopted different restriction measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Samples were analyzed using a validated analytical methodology for the simultaneous determination of 18 substances, based on solid-phase extraction and liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Except for heroin, fentanyl, 6-acetylmorphine and alprazolam, all the compounds were found in at least one city and 9 out of 18 compounds were found in all the samples. In general, the consumption of illicit drugs was particularly high in one of the cities monitored in December 2020, when the restrictions were more severe, especially for cannabis and cocaine with values up to 46 and 6.9 g/day/1000 inhabitants (g/day/1000 inh), respectively. The consumption of MDMA, methamphetamine and mephedrone was notably higher in June 2021, after the end of the state of alarm, in the biggest population investigated in this study. Regarding the use of benzodiazepines, the highest mass loads corresponded to lorazepam. This study demonstrates that WBE is suitable for complementing epidemiological studies about the prevalence of illicit drugs and benzodiazepines during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Technologies of virtual reality in the field of tourism

This article reveals the theoretical and practical issues of using virtual reality technologies in the field of providing tourist services. The position is argued that innovative technologies, which are currently involved in all aspects of our lives, whether it is a commercial sphere or a service sphere, have not bypassed the tourism industry. Such technological development has become very effective in the national economy of any country in the world, as new technologies can overcome obstacles related to space and time barriers, pandemic outbreaks, etc. In the scientific literature, virtual tourism has become a rather promising phenomenon for the research of lawyers, marketers, sociologists and psychologists. The peculiarities of the application of virtual reality technologies in the tourism field have been the subject of research by many foreign scientists for several years. The largest number of publications on this issue is in Asian countries, in particular China and Indonesia, where the tourism sector has been most affected due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions. Their experimental studies reveal the main positive and negative aspects of the use of virtual reality technologies in the tourism sector. Within the framework of our research, attention is paid to the specifics of the application of certain types of virtual and augmented reality technologies in the field of providing tourist services. In particular, we characterized tourism using the system of immersive virtual reality technologies, photorealistic 360-degree virtual tours, travel blogs, live broadcasts. Although this is not an exclusive list, virtual tourism can be supplemented with technologies of augmented reality, panoramic online tour, 3D photos, videos, etc. It was found that the application of virtual reality technologies in tourism is indispensable for the creation of a new travel industry. It can enable users to visualize a virtual world by responding to visual, moving and audio cues, creating a sense of presence without having to leave their home or comfort zone.

Institutional measures to support the Education – Labour Market system in regions of Russia

The paper analyses the dynamics of unemployment in the Central Federal District regions in 2018-2022. The main issues are problems at the Russian labour market in 2020-2023, and measures of their state regulation taken at the federal and regional levels. The paper considers the measures of state support for the Russian labour market during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic restrictions, and describes their consequences. Also there is an assessment of the role of secondary vocational education system, implementation of state programs and national projects, i.e. the federal projects «Professional», «Young Professionals». Paper listed the professions and specialties in colleges of the Ivanovo and Yaroslavl regions. On the example of the Ivanovo region we consider the establishment of educational and production centres (clusters). The study considers goals, objectives, stages, directions of development, institutional environment, services of the National Qualifications System of the Russian Federation, the essence of Independent Qualification Assessment in details. The study also highlights the role of the state for a secondary vocational education system development.

The burden of infectious diseases throughout and after the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023) and Russo-Ukrainian war migration.

Understanding how the infectious disease burden was affected throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is pivotal to identifying potential hot spots and guiding future mitigation measures. Therefore, our study aimed to analyze the changes in the rate of new cases of Poland's most frequent infectious diseases during the entire COVID-19 pandemic and after the influx of war refugees from Ukraine. We performed a registry-based population-wide study in Poland to analyze the changes in the rate of 24 infectious disease cases from 2020 to 2023 and compared them to the prepandemic period (2016-2019). Data were collected from publicly archived datasets of the Epimeld database published by national epidemiological authority institutions. The rate of most of the studied diseases (66.6%) revealed significantly negative correlations with the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections. For the majority of infectious diseases, it substantially decreased in 2020 (in case of 83%) and 2021 (63%), following which it mostly rebounded to the prepandemic levels and, in some cases, exceeded them in 2023 when the exceptionally high annual rates of new cases of scarlet fever, Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, HIV infections, syphilis, gonococcal infections, and tick-borne encephalitis were noted. The rate of Clostridioides difficile enterocolitis was two-fold higher than before the pandemic from 2021 onward. The rate of Legionnaires' disease in 2023 also exceeded the prepandemic threshold, although this was due to a local outbreak unrelated to lifted COVID-19 pandemic restrictions or migration of war refugees. The influx of war migrants from Ukraine could impact the epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases. The present analysis indicates that continued efforts are needed to prevent COVID-19 from overwhelming healthcare systems again and decreasing the control over the burden of other infectious diseases. It also identifies the potential tipping points that require additional mitigation measures, which are also discussed in the paper, to avoid escalation in the future.

Undermining the Translational Potential of Clinical Research with Adolescents and Young Adults: Differential Enrollment in Randomized Clinical Trials During COVID-19.

COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and research restrictions halted recruitment and follow-up of clinical research patients. While clinical research has resumed, it is an open question whether research participation has returned to levels similar to those before COVID-19. We utilized data from the TECH-PN (NCT# NCT03828994) study, a single-center RCT enrolling 13-25-year-olds with mild-moderate pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) receiving ambulatory care. We examined enrollment patterns before COVID-19 and during/after COVID-19 among those assessed for eligibility by estimating the average rate of recruitment visits for each period. We focused on this monthly rate by pandemic status, the length of stay (LOS) by pandemic status, as well as the relationship between the LOS and patient demographics. Descriptive analyses were conducted, including Student's t-test to compare rates between time periods and a Chi-square test to compare the proportion refusing enrollment. The monthly enrollment rate during/post-pandemic was significantly lower than before COVID-19 (4.8 per month compared to 7.4 per month, p < 0.001). However, eligible participants' age, race, and insurance type were similar pre- and during/post-pandemic. Among eligible patients, LOS for receiving PID care was slightly increased, from a median of 5.4 hours to 6.4 hours (p = 0.650), and the rate of refusal to participate among those eligible was similar (23% versus 27%, p = 0.362). There was a similar number of ineligible patients due to inpatient admissions during both periods. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions negatively impacted recruitment into this RCT. Enrollment differences may reflect ongoing perceptions of restrictions in care access or a hesitancy to use health services. More research is needed to stabilize access to ambulatory STI/PID care and access to clinical trials.

Assessment and mapping of noise pollution in recreation spaces using geostatistic method after COVID-19 lockdown in Turkey

Increased use of recreational areas after the lifting of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions has led to increased noise levels. This study aims to determine the level of noise pollution experienced in recreational areas with the increasing domestic and international tourism activities after the lifting of pandemic lockdowns, to produce spatial distribution maps of noise pollution, and to develop strategic planning suggestions for reducing noise pollution in line with the results obtained. Antalya-Konyaaltı Beach Recreation Area, the most important international tourism destination of Turkey, is determined as the study area. To determine the existing noise pollution, 31 measurement points were marked at 100 m intervals within the study area. Noise measurements were taken during the daytime (07:00–19:00), evening (19:00–23:00), and nighttime (23:00–07:00) on weekdays (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and weekends (Sunday) over 2 months in the summer when the lockdown was lifted. In addition, the sound level at each measurement point was recorded for 15 min, while the number of vehicles passing through the area during the same period was determined. The database created as a result of measurements and observations was analyzed using statistical and geostatistical methods. After the analysis of the data, it was found that the co-kriging-stable model showed superior performance in noise mapping. Additionally, it was revealed that there is a high correlation between traffic density and noise intensity, with the highest equivalent noise level (Leq) on weekdays and weekend evenings due to traffic and user density. In conclusion, regions exposed to intense noise pollution were identified and strategic planning recommendations were developed to prevent/reduce noise sources in these identified regions.

Consumption of Meats and Fish in Poland during the COVID-19 Lockdown Period.

The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have significantly impacted the quality of life of society in many countries in various aspects. The purpose of this study was to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the consumption of meat and fish in society in Poland as well as the factors that determined these changes. The cross-sectional study was conducted using an original online questionnaire between 8th and 18th of April 2020. The subjects were selected randomly. The target population were adults living in Poland. The inclusion criterion for the study was the age of at least 18 years and consent to selfless participation in the study. Communication via social media such as Facebook or Instagram was used to enroll more participants from different socio-demographic subgroups. The questionnaire was divided into two parts-the first part contained questions about sex, age, body mass, body height, residence, level of education, and occupation, and the second part consisted of specific questions about the consumption frequency of different kinds of meat during the COVID-19 lockdown period (in comparison to the time before the pandemic). A total of 3888 people took part in the study including 84.54% women, with an average age of 30.17 ± 9.22 years. The frequency of poultry consumption increased, while for pork, beef, ham and other meat products as well as fish and seafood it declined. The factors that influenced the change in dietary patterns during the lockdown related to the COVID-19 pandemic included age, body mass index, gender, place of residence, and type of work performed. However, no relationship was found between the change in meat and fish consumption during the pandemic and the level of education and form of employment during the pandemic.

‘Now there is no escape’: the impact of the COVID-19 social restrictions on parents experiencing violence and abuse from their children

Child- and adolescent-to-parent violence and abuse (CAPVA) has gained recognition over the past decade and, to an extent, gained momentum on the violence against women and girls (VAWG) policy agenda. However, CAPVA remains subordinate to the omnipresent problem of violence and abuse perpetrated by current and former intimate partners, as do responses to this often-hidden form of violence. This was especially apparent during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent social restrictions, when many parent victims of CAPVA faced a silent struggle of enforced proximity with their violent and/or abusive child alongside a significant drop in respite and means of support. In this article, we present research findings from a project conducted during the 2020 lockdown period in the UK, examining parents’ experiences of CAPVA and support during this period, as well as practitioners’ experiences of providing support. In addition to revealing that over two-thirds of parents reported an increase in CAPVA during the initial lockdown, our discussion highlights the need for sustained recognition and attention to be afforded to CAPVA, so that systematic, strategic, and evidence-based nationwide responses can be developed, including adequate risk assessment processes, safeguarding measures and support.

Changes in well-being among socially isolated older people during the COVID-19 pandemic: An outcome-wide analysis

Older adults experienced major changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions, and it might be expected that those who were already socially isolated before the pandemic were particularly vulnerable. We apply an outcome-wide longitudinal design on 4,636 participants (mean age 66.8 y) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, observed in 2018/19 and early (June/July 2020) and later (November/December 2020) in the pandemic. Social isolation is defined using an index including marital status, social contact, and social participation in 2018/19. Using mixed models, we compare changes in well-being, health, health behaviors, financial well-being, and Internet use, between isolated and nonisolated participants. From before to during the pandemic, isolated participants (29%) experienced smaller declines in life satisfaction and quality of life and a smaller increase in loneliness. They showed greater declines in smoking and physical activity and were more likely to remain worried about their future financial situation. They also did not change in their likelihood of regular Internet use, contrasting with nonisolated participants who increased in this regard. The groups followed a similar trend for general health and sleep quality (no change), depression and anxiety (increase), and expectations of future financial difficulties (decrease). Although isolated older adults generally show poorer outcomes than their socially connected counterparts, they were somewhat protected during the pandemic on some fronts. Our findings highlight the need to continually care for isolated older adults but also to be attentive in times of unexpected crises to those experiencing extreme changes related to necessary policy responses.

Traditional versus virtual interviews: A perspective of paediatric dentistry program directors and residents.

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions necessitated changes in conduct of the interview process for the selection of candidates in paediatric dentistry residency programs. To examine the experiences and attitudes of paediatric dentistry program directors and residents regarding the virtual interview process during the 2020/2021 application cycle. A survey was sent to 82 directors and 416 postdoctoral members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry with data collected from individuals interviewed during the 2020/2021 cycle. Response rates for directors and residents were 27% (N = 22/82) and 17% (N = 72/416), respectively. Seventy-three percent of directors (N = 16) believed that virtual interviews were not an adequate substitute for in-person interviews and made it difficult to present facilities, observe applicant interactions, and assess personality. Fifty-nine percent of the directors (N = 13) were not interested in using virtual interviews if restrictions were lifted. Residents reported that virtual interviews were accommodating but were unable to observe interpersonal interactions, assess the location and facilities, and understand the program culture. Sixty-one percent of residents (N = 44) prefer to interview in-person. The majority of program directors (73%) felt that virtual interviews could not substitute for in-person interviews and 59% would not be interested in using virtual interviews in the future. Residents (94%) reported inability to evaluate the location and facilities, and 61% prefer to interview in-person for future interviews.

Impact of Home-Based Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental and Physical Health in a German Population-Based Sample.

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak necessitated physical distancing, as part of secondary prevention, at a personal and professional level. Working from home (WFH) became increasingly important. In this study, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on physical and mental health is investigated, compared with pre-pandemic data, and with employees who WFH and are on-site. Methods: Data from the German Saxon longitudinal study population were used. Attitudes towards WFH as well as mental and physical health assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Comparisons were made with corresponding pre-pandemic scores and between employees WFH and on-site in 2022. Results: In total, 319 participants with equal gender distribution were included. Of those, 86 worked from home stating better organizability of their work, more time for partnership, less stress, and greater work satisfaction. Compared to pre-pandemic data, the D-score, PHQ-4, G-Score, and PHQ-SSS-8 showed a significant increase. No difference in physical or mental health between employees WFH and on-site was observed. Conclusion: In general, COVID-19 restrictions had a negative impact on mental and physical health. Although WFH is well accepted, it did not show significant health benefits.