University of Bath, UK (July 2022) - Study highlights heavy mental health burden of Covid-19 for ‘shielders’

Title:

Study highlights heavy mental health burden of Covid-19 for ‘shielders’

 

Published:

University of Bath, 1 July 2022

https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/study-highlights-heavy-mental-health-burden-of-covid-19-for-shielders/

 

From the press release:

Research from a new study suggests that health anxiety among the clinically vulnerable groups who shielded at home has risen since the first pandemic wave, despite developments in viral treatment and the roll-out of the vaccination programme.  

 

The new study, authored by psychologists at the University of Bath, is the first to use validated measures of mental health to focus on the effects of the pandemic for those who have been shielding or continue to shield. It finds that health anxieties among these groups grew in line with the length of time they spent indoors.

‘The dual pandemic’ of suicide and COVID-19: A biopsychosocial narrative of risks and prevention [Psychiatry Research, 18 November 2020]

Title:

‘The dual pandemic’ of suicide and COVID-19: A biopsychosocial narrative of risks and prevention

 

Authors:

Debanjan Banerjee, Jagannatha Rao Kosagisharaf & T.S. Sathyanarayana Raoc

Published:

Psychiatry Research, 18 November 2020

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7672361/

 

Abstract:

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a new global health threat. By increasing the risk of isolation, fear, stigma, abuse and economic fallout, COVID-19 has led to increase in risk of psychiatric disorders, chronic trauma and stress, which eventually increase suicidality and suicidal behavior. There is limited data on association of pandemics and suicides. Cases of suicides have been rising since COVID-19 first emerged in China. The association between suicides and pandemics can possibly be explained through various models like Durkheim's theory, Joiner's interpersonal theory, social stress theory, biological theories, etc. The frontline workers, elderly, migrants, homeless, socio-economically impoverished classes as well as those with pre-existing mental disorders, substance abuse and family history of suicides are at higher risk. Suicides are preventable and need early detection, awareness and socio-culturally tailored interventions. This narrative review draws global perspectives on the association of suicidality and pandemics, the theories and risk factors related to same based on the available evidence. It also hypothesizes neuroimmunity and immune based risk factors as possible links between the psychosocial vulnerabilities and suicide during outbreaks like COVID-19. Proposed strategies of suicide-prevention, as an integral part of public health response to the pandemic are subsequently discussed.

A Literature Review of the Economics of COVID-19 [IZA Institute of Labor Economics, June 2020]

Title:

A Literature Review of the Economics of COVID-19

 

Authors:

Abel Brodeur, David Gray,Anik Islam & Suraiya Jabeen Bhuiyan

All from the University of Ottawa

 

Published:

IZA Institute of Labor Economics, Initiated by Deitche Post Foundation, June 2020

[Discussion Paper Series, IZA DP No. 13411]

http://ftp.iza.org/dp13411.pdf

Abstract:

The goal of this piece is to survey the emerging and rapidly growing literature on the economic consequences of COVID-19 and government response, and to synthetize the insights emerging from a very large number of studies. This survey (i) provides an overview of the data sets used to measure social distancing and COVID-19 cases and deaths; (ii) reviews the literature on the determinants of compliance and effectiveness of social distancing; (iii) summarizes the literature on the socio-economic consequences of COVID19 and government interventions, focusing on labor, health, gender, discrimination and environmental aspects; and (iv) discusses policy proposals.

Tallinn University - Researchers look to saccharides for a breakthrough in the battle against coronavirus

Title:

Researchers look to saccharides for a breakthrough in the battle against coronavirus

 

Published:

Tallinn University,  1 October 2020

https://www.tlu.ee/en/teadus/news/researchers-look-saccharides-breakthrough-battle-against-coronavirus

From the article:

Professor of Biopolymer Chemistry at the School of Natural Sciences and Health of Tallinn University Rando Tuvikene, with the support of the Estonian Research Council, will begin his research into saccharides found in microorganisms and marine biomasses to find potent preparations that could help limit the spread of coronavirus.

Business Insider, 11 May 2020 - Amazon built a roving robot covered in UV light bulbs that could kill the coronavirus in warehouses and Whole Foods stores

Title:
Amazon built a roving robot covered in UV light bulbs that could kill the coronavirus in warehouses and Whole Foods stores

Author:
Hayley Peterson

Published:
Business Insider, 11 May 2020

From the article:
* "Studies show that ultraviolet light can kill viruses and germs.
* Researchers at Columbia University are testing the effectiveness UV light against the coronavirus."

To read this article:
https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-builds-uv-light-robot-to-kill-coronavirus-on-surfaces-2020-5?IR=T

Scholarly Article (2020) - COVID-19 Threat to Higher Education: Africa’s Challenges, Responses, and Apprehensions

Title:
COVID-19 Threat to Higher Education: Africa’s Challenges, Responses, and Apprehensions

Authors:
Wondwosen Tamrat & Damtew Teferra

Published:
International Higher Education, Special Issue No 102 (2020)
Click here to access/download this article (pdf).

Abstract:
"This article examines the challenges and uncertainties that the African higher education sector is experiencing due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, and some of the responses so far."

Short Article (The Conversation, 23 April 2020) - Coronavirus: are we underestimating how many people have had it? Sweden thinks so

Title:
Coronavirus: are we underestimating how many people have had it? Sweden thinks so

Author:
Paul W. Franks

Published:
The Conversation, 23 April 2020

From the article:
"Many countries around the world are now facing the difficult decision of when and how to ease lockdown restrictions due to the novel coronavirus. In the absence of a vaccine, it is likely there will be new waves of the epidemic, unless enough people have been infected to achieve herd immunity (assuming those who have contracted the virus retain enough protection and the virus does not mutate into a distinct strain) – estimated to be around 60%.  

Unfortunately, government advisers in the UK, France and many other countries suggest only a few percent of the population have so far been infected. But does this add up?" 

To read this articel:
https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-are-we-underestimating-how-many-people-have-had-it-sweden-thinks-so-136893

University of Leeds & Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust - Paper Towels Could Remove Virus Missed by Poor Hand Washing, Study Indicates

Title:
Paper Towels Could Remove Virus Missed by Poor Hand Washing, Study Indicates

Author:
Kelly Macnamara

Published:
Science Alert, 17 April 2020

Published:
"People should dry their hands with paper towels to avoid spreading the new coronavirus, according to the authors of a study publicised on Friday that finds disposable tissues are better than jet dryers at removing pathogens missed by ineffective washing."

To read this article:
https://www.sciencealert.com/paper-towels-may-remove-virus-missed-by-poor-hand-washing-says-study

Short Article - Can a century-old TB vaccine steel the immune system against the new coronavirus?

Title:
Can a century-old TB vaccine steel the immune system against the new coronavirus?

Author:
Jop de Vrieze

Published:
Science, 23 March 2020

From the article:
Researchers in four countries will soon start a clinical trial of an unorthodox approach to the new coronavirus. They will test whether a century-old vaccine against tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial disease, can rev up the human immune system in a broad way, allowing it to better fight the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 and, perhaps, prevent infection with it altogether.

To read this article:
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/can-century-old-tb-vaccine-steel-immune-system-against-new-coronavirus


See also:
The Brief – Is Eastern Europe more resilient to COVID-19?

Author:
Georgi Gotev

From the article:
The vaccine, known as BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin), is indeed 100 years old and has been unevenly used in the eastern and western part of Europe.  

According to Prof. Dr Lyubima Despotova, president of the Bulgarian Society for Long-Term Care and Palliative Medicine, the worldwide distribution map of COVID-19 “overlaps” with the vaccine policy map. Countries that have abandoned BCG are currently in the midst of the epidemic and are heavily affected.

To read this article:
https://www.euractiv.com/section/coronavirus/news/the-brief-is-eastern-europe-more-resilient-to-covid-19/

Short Article - Why the year 2020 will prove to be a headache for Data Scientists

Title:
Why the year 2020 will prove to be a headache for Data Scientists

Author:
Usman Gohar

Published:
towards data science, 13 March 2020

From the article:
“Your model is as good as your data” is the most basic postulation in data science. Good data equals a good model! The coronavirus has impacted millions of lives around the globe, wreaked havoc on the airline industry and shattered equity markets globally. Depending on how quickly it is brought under control, the coronavirus, undoubtedly, will continue to affect the daily lives of many. Like everyone else, Data Scientists will also be affected.

To read this article:
https://towardsdatascience.com/why-the-year-2020-will-prove-to-be-a-headache-for-data-scientists-5ff1f15f3cd3