Phase Of Lockdown Research Articles

Health behaviour and well-being in the Faroe Islands prior to and during the first COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract Detrimental effects on health and well-being were reported during the COVID-19-induced lockdown periods in several countries, but these associations have not been studied in small-scale island societies. This study aimed to examine the lockdown period’s impact on health behaviour, social media use and measures of well-being in the Faroe Islands. We used cross-sectional data from two extensive population-based surveys of public health conducted in November 2019, the pre-COVID survey (n = 2906), and 4-6 weeks into the first national lockdown, the lockdown survey (n = 1204). A larger proportion of participants in the lockdown vs. pre-COVID survey people reported high physical activity levels (42.1 vs 30.7% p < 0.001), while nutritional habits were rated worse and social media usage increased. Furthermore, the proportion displaying excellent/very good self-rated health was larger in the lockdown vs. pre-COVID survey (68.1 vs 62.0% p < 0.001), and the same pattern was observed for reporting good quality of life (85.7 vs 82.7% p < 0.05). These associations remained statistically significant in a logistic regression model after adjusting for characteristics for which varying impact of the pandemic has been shown. Indicators of health behaviour showed that larger proportions of participants kept active during the lockdown vs pre-COVID survey, and these differences were statistically significant for physical, mental, and spiritual activities (p < 0.001). On the other hand, similar stress levels in the pre-COVID/lockdown periods were observed, but stratified analysis showed that participants with a high-stress level displayed better self-rated health in the lockdown period compared to the pre-COVID period (p = 0.001). Conclusions Findings indicate that self-reported health and quality of life improved during the early phase of the COVID lockdown, and individuals reported higher activity levels associated with good mental health during the COVID-19-induced lockdown period. Key messages • Physical activity improved, but dietary habits worsened during initial COVID-19 lockdown in the Faroe Islands. • Measures of wellbeing and quality of life improved during initial COVID-19 lockdown in the Faroe Islands, while there was no overall difference regarding stress levels.

Intensification mechanisms and moisture dynamics of super cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’ over the Bay of Bengal: Implications for aerosol re-distribution

The present research investigates the dynamics and underlying causes contributing to the exceptional intensity of Super Cyclonic Storm (SuCS) Amphan (16th to 21st May 2020) over the Bay of Bengal (BoB), as well as its impact on aerosol redistribution along the four cities of eastern coast and north-eastern India. Notably, the SuCS was formed during the first phase of the COVID-19 lockdown in India, giving it a unique aspect of study and analysis. Our analysis based on 30 years of climatology data from Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) reanalysis reveals ‘positive’ monthly anomalous winds (0.8 to 1.6 m/s) prevailed over the central BoB for May 2020. The present study further found the evolution of ‘barrier layer thickness’(BLT) leading up to landfall, noting a thickening trend from 8 to 3 days before landfall, contributing to maintaining warmer sea surface temperatures near the coast. Additionally, utilizing European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), reanalysis version-5 (ERA-5) data, a mean positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly of 0.8 to 1 °C was observed ‘before’ cyclone period (10–15 May 2020) near the cyclogenesis point. A detailed examination of Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) vertical cross-section plots during the cyclone's intensification stage reveals the presence of high-altitude clouds composed primarily of ice crystals. Further, analysis also indicates that the cyclone transported Sea-salt PM2.5 aerosols from the ocean, dispersing them in the landfall region.The aerosol optical Depth (AOD) data obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) ‘Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES)’ mission and MERRA-2 were also analysed, revealing that the cyclone redistributed aerosols over the Bengal basin region (mainly over ‘Kolkata') and three other nearby cities along the track of the cyclone (i.e., Bhubaneswar (Odisha) Agartala (Tripura) and Shillong (Meghalaya) respectively).

The independent and interdependent self-affirmations in action: Understanding their dynamics in India during the early phase of the COVID-19 lockdown

The study explored the role of two dissimilar familial and religious practices in distinctly shaping independent and interdependent self-affirmations in two value systems (individualism and collectivism) that emerged to protect self-integrity and self-worth challenged by the threats of COVID-19. A qualitative research design was employed. A heterogeneous sample of 19 participants (10 joint and 9 nuclear families) was recruited who reported in a semi-structured interview about the consequences of COVID-19 and the role of family and religious values in coping with the pandemic threats. The thematic method was used to analyse the data. Codes were generated using a priori criteria while reviewing and re-reviewing, multiple discussions and iterations helped in theme identification and ascertaining validity. Five themes were generated: perceived strong threat of COVID-19, dissimilar genesis of independent and interdependent self-affirmations, positive roles of joint familial values, significance of religious values, and traditional and modern religious routes of self-affirmation. Threats were expressed in experiences of anxiety, uncertainty and mood fluctuations. Interdependence, affiliation and support were joint familial values whereas independence and self-esteem reflected nuclear family-values. Focus on explicit attributes denoted modern while divine interpretation and will of God reflected traditional religious values. Novelty, uncertainty and incurability of COVID-19 caused threats to self-integrity that compelled hem to affirm their most preferred values originating from two family forms. The pandemic posed threats to their self-worth, which in turn, activated affirmations in two distinct value systems leading to the development of independent and interdependent self-affirmations. Study findings will help surface novel features of the two self-affirmations. It provides new insights for making successful behavioural changes at individual, group and community levels for the success of social, health and educational policies.

A biopsychosocial perspective of mental health risk in Italy during phase two of the COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract: Introduction: Research into the first phase of the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy showed an association with an increased susceptibility to adverse mental health (MH) in the general population. We investigated in the same population the correlations between the various demographic, socioeconomic, biological/clinical history and psychological dimensions and MH in the second,“opening-up”, phase of the lockdown. Methods: An anonymous online survey collected data from 26 May to 4 July 2020 on demographic, socioeconomic, perceived risk, general health and quality of life appraisals, worry, interference in life, life satisfaction, perceived happiness and MH by using Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5). Results: Of the 300 participants, only 195 responded to MH questions. Older age was positively associated with better MH (r=.15), as was education (r=.19). A negative correlation with MH, with medium-high effect size, was found with quality of life (r=.40) and health (r=.34) appraisals, and the factors “worry about sustenance” (r=.23) and “interference with life” (r=.32). A positive correlation, with strong effect size, was found between MH and life satisfaction (r=.53) and perception of happiness (r=.64). Discussion: During phase two of the lockdown, rather the real impact of COVID-19 restrictions on employment or economic resources, it was worry about finances that was associated with worse MH. Mental distress was associated with the loss of some positive psychological factors. From a homeostatic and biopsychosocial perspective of MH, life satisfaction and perceivedhappiness represent important mental resources for counteracting the effects of lockdown on MH.

Perceived Life Outcomes of Indian Children During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Lockdown: The Protective Roles of Joint and Nuclear Families

Perceived Life Outcomes of Indian Children During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Lockdown: The Protective Roles of Joint and Nuclear Families

Behavioural response of parents and children with autism and developmental disorders in times of uncertainty: a Malaysian experience

Introduction Children and families with neurodevelopmental conditions have more difficulty coping with changes compared to peers. This study investigated the emotional/behavioural responses of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental disorders, and their families during the early stages of COVID-19 lockdown and identified the predictive factors. Methods Data from 265 children, 4–17 years, with ASD, other developmental disorders and typically developing children that include parent-rated questionnaires of emotion/behaviour, behaviour change, and parents’ level of stress were collected. We compared the mean scores of both clinical groups with typical developing children using Cohen’s d and determined the factors predictive of emotional/behavioural difficulties using logistic regression. Results Children with ASD experienced the most emotional/behavioural difficulties and behaviour deterioration during the early phase of COVID-19 lockdown. Parents from all groups reported comparable stress levels. Children with a diagnosis of ASD had a 3-fold increase in odds of emotional/behavioural difficulties (OR= 3.11; 95% 1.60–6.03, p < 0.001). A weaker association was observed with older age (13–17 years) (OR = 2.28; 95% CI 0.96–5.38, p = 0.056). Correlation analysis showed that parents’ stress levels were positively associated with children’s emotion/behaviour scores and behaviour deterioration. Conclusions Family-centred approaches are a priority to recognise vulnerable families and provide support during times of crisis.

Psychological distress and suicidality in psychiatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway: A repeated cross-sectional study

BackgroundPsychiatric patients are vulnerable to disruptions caused by the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the pandemic on mental health symptoms and suicidality among these patients during lockdowns. MethodsThis repeated cross-sectional study utilized data from “Psychological distress and Coping in Patients in Community Mental Health Centers during COVID-19 pandemic (PsyCo-COVID-19) " study, conducted in two phases between June–July 2020 and March–April 2021. It included 261 participants from six Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) who completed a digital questionnaire, including Norwegian version of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus (M.I.N.I. Plus), Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5). ResultsA higher percentage of patients reported PTSD during the second phase of lockdown (47.4%) compared to the first phase of lockdown (33.7%). A third of participants (33.7%) reported high levels of suicidality. Moderate to severe effects of pandemic on mental health were associated with a significantly higher risk of suicide (AOR = 3.12; 95% CI: 1.50, 6.48; p = 0.0001), while having children (AOR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.76; p = 0.008) and being employed (AOR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.84; p = 0.013) were protective factors. Non-Norwegian background was associated with a higher risk of suicide (AOR = 2.59; 95% CI: 1.08, 6.19; p = 0.032). ConclusionHigh prevalence of suicidality was found among patients in CMHCs in Norway, with a significant association with self-reported worsening of mental health. PTSD and suicidality increased significantly during the second phase of lockdown, emphasizing the lasting impact of the pandemic on mental health. Targeted interventions and support services are needed for psychiatric patients during times of increased stress and uncertainty. Healthcare providers should be aware of the increased risk of suicide and provide appropriate support and interventions to prevent adverse outcomes.

COPSYC-19: The impact of early phase lockdown on mental health among people with psychotic disorders.

On March 12th 2020 extensive measures were implemented to prevent spread of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). These measures were commonly referred to as "lockdown". In this study we investigate the psychological impact associated with living under these circumstances among patients with psychotic disorders receiving care from specialized mental health services in Norway. During early phases of lockdown, patients and clinicians receiving and providing mental health care for psychotic disorders in specialized health services at Oslo University Hospital were asked to fill out questionnaires developed for the study. 129 participants from outpatient clinics (91 patients and 38 clinicians) and 89 from inpatient wards (15 patients and 74 clinicians) were recruited. Data regarding mental health and related symptoms were analysed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and standard multiple regression. Outpatients reported significantly less extensive worrying, loneliness and hallucinatory experiences during early phase lockdown compared to the two weeks prior. Reductions in loneliness were predictive of experienced improvement in subjective mental health. However, the majority of clinicians from outpatient clinics believed their patients were experiencing more worrying and loneliness. The result of this study suggests that many patients with psychosis experienced less loneliness, excessive worrying and hallucinations during the first phase of lockdown. This contrasts the clinicians' perceptions, as the patients show signs of resilience during times of uncertainty. The limitation in the study timeframe should be noted.

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.

Effects of the COVID-19-induced lockdown period on general well-being, perceived stress and activity levels in the Faroe Islands.

Detrimental effects on health and well-being were reported during the COVID-19-induced lockdown periods in several countries, but these associations have not been studied in small-scale island societies. This study aimed to examine the lockdown period's impact on general well-being, perceived stress and activity levels in the Faroe Islands. We used cross-sectional data from two extensive population-based surveys of the general health conducted in November 2019 (the pre-COVID survey; n=2906), and four to six weeks into the first national lockdown (the lockdown survey; n=1204). A larger proportion of participants in the lockdown survey versus pre-COVID survey displayed excellent/very good self-rated health (68.1% vs. 62.0%; p<0.001), and the same pattern was observed for reporting good quality of life (85.7% vs. 82.7%; p<0.05). These associations remained statistically significant in a logistic regression model after adjusting for characteristics for which varying impact of the pandemic has been shown. Indicators of health behaviour showed that larger proportions of participants kept active during the lockdown survey versus pre-COVID survey, and these differences were statistically significant for physical, mental and spiritual activities (p<0.001). On the other hand, similar stress levels in the pre-COVID/lockdown periods were observed, but stratified analysis showed that participants with a high-stress level displayed better self-rated health in the lockdown period compared to the pre-COVID period (p=0.001). Findings indicate that self-reported health and quality of life improved during the early phase of the COVID lockdown, and individuals reported higher activity levels associated with good mental health during the COVID-19-induced lockdown period.

Changes in Air Quality, Meteorology and Energy Consumption during the COVID-19 Lockdown and Unlock Periods in India

The increasing population and its associated amenities demand innovative devices, infrastructure, methods, plans and policies. Regional climate has a great role in deciding the air quality and energy demand, and therefore, weather and climate have an indisputable role in its consumption and storage. Here, we present the changes in trace gases and associated regional weather in India during lockdown and unlock periods of COVID-19. We observe a reduction of about 30% in sulphur dioxide (SO2) and 10–20% in aerosols in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), large cities, industrial sites, mining areas and thermal power plants during lockdown as compared to the same period in the previous year and with respect to its climatology. However, a considerable increase in aerosols is found, particularly over IGP during Unlock 1.0 (1–30 June 2020), because of the relaxation of lockdown restrictions. The analyses also show a decrease in temperature by 1–3 °C during lockdown compared to its climatology for the same period, mainly in IGP and Central India, possibly due to the significant reduction in absorbing aerosols such as black carbon and decrease in humidity during the period. The west coast, northwest and central India show reduced wind speed when compared to its previous year and climatological values, suggesting that there was a change in regional weather due to the lockdown. Energy demand in India decreased by about 25–30% during the first phase of lockdown and about 20% during the complete lockdown period. This study thus suggests that the reduction of pollution could also modify local weather, and these results would be useful for drafting policy decisions on air pollution reduction, urban development, the energy sector, agriculture and water resources.

Sailing through the pandemic: role of authentic leadership and horizontal collectivism in unlocking work engagement in Indian startups

PurposeResponding to the radical changes in work practices and extensive virtual forms of interaction brought by COVID-19, this study aims to investigate the role played by authentic leadership and horizontal collectivism in helping the Indian startups sail through the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachData was gathered through standardized questionnaires from 300 leaders and 300 employees from Indian startups during the second phase of lockdown. Statistical analysis using AMOS 23.0 checks for the direct effect of authentic leadership on work engagement and the moderating effect of horizontal collectivism on the relationship between the two. This study also compares the results between self-ascribed and perceived authentic leadership.FindingsStatistical analysis using AMOS 23.0 was done to check for the direct effect of authentic leadership on work engagement and the moderating effect of horizontal collectivism on the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement. This study also compared the results between self-ascribed and perceived authentic leadership.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that explores the role of authentic leadership in unlocking work engagement among employees serving in Indian startups during the pandemic. The lesson learned from this is when employees perceived their leaders to be authentic, the work culture to be nonhierarchical and felt collective responsibility toward work, it unlocked their high potential and made them soulfully engaged in their work.

Mental health of Scandinavians during the first lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic: Psychosocial resources and coping strategies as protective or risk factors for anxiety and depression.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a global health and economic crisis. In the early phase of the pandemic, studies found that populations were reporting lower levels of mental well-being and high levels of distress and worry. This study investigated potential protective and risk factors such as sociodemographics and psychological factors such as adaptation/coping. Two convenience samples from Norway and Denmark were recruited during the early phase of the first lockdown in May 2020 using snowball sampling primarily by social media. Measures included the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) for screening anxiety and depression, COVID-19 distress, and coping strategies applied during the lockdown. Descriptive analyses were applied as well as bivariate correlations for associations between coping and mental health measures. Levels of anxiety and depression were not alarmingly high, but being young, single, and female constituted a higher risk for poorer mental health. Applying positive reframing strategies was negatively associated with poor mental health and high COVID-19 stress, whereas distraction coping strategies were positively correlated with poor mental health and high COVID-19 stress. Applying positive reframing as a coping strategy may constitute a protective factor for mental health in the early phase of a crisis such as a pandemic. This knowledge may inform public health agencies on how to promote mental health in similar situations in the future. However, longitudinal and qualitative studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of the different coping strategies applied.

Health Behaviors and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Stay-at-home and lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on health-related behaviors which in turn posed a risk to mental health, particularly among older people. In this study, we investigated how changes to health behaviors (physical activity, sleeping, eating, and drinking) impacted mental health (depression, quality of life, and life satisfaction) during and beyond the initial phase of the COVID-19 lockdown. Using data from Wave 9 (2018/19) and two COVID-19 sub-studies (June/July 2020; November/December 2020) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (N = 4989), we found that health behaviors changes during lockdown were associated with poorer mental health in June/July 2020. However, in November/December 2020, higher depression, lower quality of life, and lower life satisfaction were more likely only among respondents who reported less physical activity, eating more, changes in sleep patterns, and drinking more alcohol. Public health programs should support healthy behaviors as we emerge from the pandemic.

Media Representations of the Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Migrant Labour in India

An abrupt imposition of a nationwide lockdown certainly resulted in a havoc condition for the migrant communities of India. The concerns of the migrant laborers were extensively covered in the media as an eye-opener. It presented the bitter truth of the poor versus rich class struggle intrinsic to the Indian Society. The paper inspects the situations of the migrant laborers in India during the first lockdown period of COVID-19 as depicted by 3 leading media units namely, Dainik Bhaskar, Times of India, and NDTV. These units were selected using purposive sampling, further the news reported specifically on migrant workers was selected for the time period of the first lockdown in India. NVivo 12 software was used to analyze the data. Sentiment analysis, word tree analysis, and word cloud analysis were performed to understand the issues faced by the migrant workers during the initial phase of lockdown. The findings are presented by means of diagrams and tables. It was found that lockdown had negative experiences for the migrant community.

Comparison of the quality of life of patients with liver cirrhosis before and during the COVID-19 lockdown in Slovakia

Liver cirrhosis is associated with a poor quality of life (QOL). The COVID-19 pandemic has led to several restriction measures and psychosocial consequences whose impact on QOL has combined with that of cirrhosis in an unknown way. Therefore, we have used our cirrhosis registry to assess the quality of life before the pandemic (on the first admission to the tertiary liver unit) and during the most pronounced phase of the first lockdown. In this cross-sectional study conducted during the first lockdown in Slovakia (from April to May 2020), we have repeated the QOL measurement of QOL in cirrhotic patients previously enrolled in the RH7 registry. Patients who were alive (according to the national registry of deaths) were identified and contacted by phone with a structured and standardized interview led by trained professionals. The tool used for both QOL measurements (at enrolment in RH7 and during lockdown) was a standardized and validated EuroQOL-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaire. The study included 97 patients, of which 37 (38.1%) were women and 60 (61.9%) were men. Responses were achieved from 75 patients (68.18%). In general, patients scored their quality of life significantly higher during the pandemic compared to examination at admission to RH7 (that is, at admission to our tertiary liver unit with cirrhosis) (p = 0.005). In particular, of the domains included in EQ-5D: (1) self-care was better during lockdown compared to the first record on admission to RH7 (p < 0.001). (2) the ability to perform daily activities has also improved during lockdown (p = 0.002). On the other hand, (3) pain and discomfort did not change significantly during the lockdown compared to the previous measurement (p = 0.882). (4) anxiety and depression were lower during lockdown compared to admission to RH7 (p = 0.01). The quality of life in patients with liver cirrhosis was better during the lockdown of SARS-CoV-2 compared to the previous measurement at admission to the tertiary liver unit.

Caregiver Worry of Infection and Family Co-existence Difficulty and Association With Change in Children's Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms During the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown in the UK and Turkey.

The study examined whether caregiver worry of COVID-19 infection and co-existence difficulty differentially predicted child mental health and wellbeing during the lockdown in two culturally different countries that were severely affected by the pandemic: the UK and Turkey. Co-existence difficulty is the hardship experienced by family members living all together in the same house at the same time during the lockdown period. Participants were 1849 caregivers of children between 5- and 12-years old living in the UK (n = 995) and Turkey (n = 854), who completed an electronic survey distributed via social networks during the initial phase of the COVID-19 lockdown (July and August 2020). Caregivers completed a set of questionnaires on child and family wellbeing and on whether the child's internalizing and externalizing symptoms changed during the lockdown as compared to before. Worry of COVID-19 infection was higher amongst caregivers in the Turkish sample and was associated with higher levels of child internalizing symptoms during the lockdown in the Turkish sample, however there were no statistically significant differences in the size of the impact of worry of infection on the children's internalizing symptoms between the two countries. Co-existence difficulty independently predicted increase in children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms during the lockdown in both samples. Families in the UK experienced a higher level of difficulty with co-existence compared to the families living in Turkey but the magnitude of the impact of co-existence difficulty on children's outcomes between the two samples was not significantly different.The findings suggest that public health strategies should aim to reduce social anxiety and invest in the development of programs aimed at supporting families to overcome the challenges of co-existence during times of public health crisis.

Obstetric Teleconsultation by Using Mobile Phone Technology in COVID Pandemic.

Obstetrics teleconsultation is a new concept to enable health-care services in the COVID pandemic by limiting in-person visits. This study describes the methodology of mobile-based teleconsultation, preliminary findings, and the experience of the obstetricians. The data of pregnant women who got registered for teleconsultation in early phase of COVID pandemic lockdown were reviewed and analyzed. A qualitative analysis was performed to assess the experience of obstetricians (consultants, senior residents, and junior residents) via an online electronic survey. The majority of obstetrics teleconsultations were for routine antenatal care (75%) and fetal medicine consultation (12.3%). Out of 187 women, 29.9% were advised to continue antenatal care at local hospitals, whereas 33.6% were asked to follow up via teleconsultation. Most of the obstetricians (73.68%) felt that they were able to satisfy the pregnant women and rated the teleconsultation satisfactory. Obstetrics telemedicine found to be beneficial for providing routine antenatal care services via reducing physical visits and overcrowding in outpatient departments, promoting antenatal care at local hospitals, and making specialized (maternal-fetal medicine) care accessible even during COVID-19 pandemic.

On the transition of major pollutant and O3 production regime during Covid-19 lockdowns

Lockdowns enforced amid the pandemic facilitated the evaluation of the impact of emission reductions on air quality and the production regime of O3 under NOx reduction. Analysis of space-time variation of various pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NOx, CO, O3 and VOC or TNMHC) through the lockdown phases at eight typical stations (Urban/Metro, Rural/high vegetation and coastal) is carried out. It reveals how the major pollutant (PM10 or PM2.5 or O3, or CO) differs from station to station as lockdowns progress depending on geography, land-use pattern and efficacy of lockdown implementation. Among the stations analyzed, Delhi (Chandnichowk), the most polluted (PM10 = 203 μgm−3; O3 = 17.4 ppbv) in pre-lockdown, experienced maximum reduction during the first phase of lockdown in PM2.5 (−47%), NO2 (−40%), CO (−37%) while O3 remained almost the same (2% reduction) to pre-lockdown levels. The least polluted Mahabaleshwar (PM10 = 45 μgm−3; O3 = 54 ppbv) witnessed relatively less reduction in PM2.5 (−2.9%), NO2 (−4.7%), CO (−49%) while O3 increased by 36% to pre-lockdown levels. In rural stations with lots of greenery, O3 is the major pollutant attributed to biogenic VOC emissions from vegetation besides lower NO levels. In other stations, PM2.5 or PM10 is the primary pollutant. At Chennai, Jabalpur, Mahabaleshwar and Goa, the deciding factor of Air Quality Index (AQI) remained unchanged, with reduced values. Particulate matter, PM10 decided AQI for three stations (dust as control component), and PM2.5 decided the same for two but within acceptable limits for stations. Improvement of AQI through control of dust would prove beneficial for Chennai and Patiala; anthropogenic emission control would work for Chandani chowk, Goa and Patiala; emission control of CO is required for Mahabaleshwar and Thiruvanathapuram. Under low VOC/NOx ratio conditions, O3 varies with the ratio, NO/NO2, with a negative (positive) slope indicating VOC-sensitive (NOx-sensitive) regime. Peak O3 isopleths as a function of NOx and VOC depicting distinct patterns suggest that O3 variation is entirely non-linear for a given NOx or VOC.

The Ontology of Work during Pandemic Lockdown: A Semantic Network Analytical Approach

Digital nomadism is emerging as a growing segment of the labor force. It is an insightful framework for understanding work during the pandemic and perhaps into the post-pandemic era because it construes work to be related to the notion of space, time and the instrumentality of work. The present study is about how people understand, relate, and make sense of their work during the early phase of the pandemic lockdown in 2020. The study will report difficulties that arise from work digitalization during the lockdown, and the study conceived the various dimensionality of work to cope with work challenges. Semantic network analysis (SNA) was used to aid the analysis of the contents from four European countries. One hundred and sixty respondents are interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The words and word pairs from the SNA resulted in keywords identified for the four countries. There are common word hubs between the countries, such as hubs revolving around the meaning of ‘time’ and ‘meeting’. However, there are also unique hubs such as ‘task’, ‘office’ and “colleagues”. The results provide a cross-cultural comparison of how people adopted to work change. The organization of the word pairs in the network provided the narratives.