scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on waste management

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Asumadu Sarkodie ◽  
Phebe Asantewaa Owusu
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
The Social ◽  
Single Use ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Staying At Home

AbstractThe containment of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and limitations on commercial activities, mobility and manufacturing sector have significantly affected waste management. Waste management is critical to human development and health outcomes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The invaluable service provided by the waste management sector ensures that the unusual heaps of waste that poses health risks and escalate the spread of COVID-19 is avoided. In this study, we assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on waste management by observing lockdown and social distancing measures. We found that the quantity of waste increased across countries observing the social distancing measure of staying at home. The intensification of single-use products and panic buying have increased production and consumption, hence thwarting efforts towards reducing plastic pollution. However, several countries have thus far instituted policies to ensure sustainable management of waste while protecting the safety of waste handlers.

scholarly journals Design of a serious game for children to raise awareness on plastic pollution and promoting pro-environmental behaviors

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Loukia Panagiotopoulou ◽  
Nora Cía Gayarre ◽  
Giulia Wally Scurati ◽  
Roberta Etzi ◽  
Gemma Massetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Environmental Behaviors ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Great Production ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract The massive presence of plastic in the oceans, both in form of large debris and micro-plastic, is raising global concern due to its serious effects on the marine environment and fauna, causing loss of biodiversity and potentially threatening human health. Even though this is due to poor waste management, the great production and consumption of single-use plastic is a significant exacerbating factor. Despite policies and bans can be effective measures, there is also the need to raise consumers' awareness, so they can make more sustainable choices when purchasing, using and, dismissing products. In particular, educating young citizens and encouraging them to engage in pro-environmental behaviors is a fundamental task to reach this goal. In this work, we present Contact from the future, a digital game on plastic pollution for children, to create awareness and stimulate pro-environmental behaviors, discussing the definition of objectives and requirements, as well as the design and development of the application.

Social Distancing Using AI and Deep Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (VII) ◽  
pp. 1816-1822
Author(s):  
Mr. Kiran Mudaraddi
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Object Detection ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Suggested Method ◽  
Video Frame ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

The paper presents a deep learning-based methodology for detecting social distancing in order to assess the distance between people in order to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The input was a video frame from the camera, and the open-source object detection was pre-trained. The outcome demonstrates that the suggested method is capable of determining the social distancing measures between many participants in a video.

scholarly journals Persepsi Masyarakat Terhadap Pemberlakuan Social Distancing Di Masa Pandemi Covid-19 Sebagai Implementasi Modal Sosial

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Ade Suherman ◽  
Tetep Tetep ◽  
Asep Supriyatna ◽  
Eldi Mulyana ◽  
Triani Widyanti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Community Group ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Staying At Home ◽  
At Home

The purpose of this study is to analyze and explain public perceptions of the implementation of social distancing during the pandemic as the implementation of social capital. This study was motivated by the phenomenon of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in a number of countries, including Indonesia. This condition not only affects the economic condition of a country, hinders social interaction among the community, and also has an impact on the health condition of every human being. To avoid the wider spread of Covid-19, the government was forced to adopt social distancing and physical distancing policies in the form of staying at home, working from home, studying, and worshiping at home. This research approach is descriptive qualitative. The data of this research is the impact of social distancing for the community in Tarogong Kidul District, Garut Regency. Sources of data come from several communities with a total of 50 respondents. Collecting data in this study using interview techniques, record, and continue to take notes. The results of the research can be concluded that with the implementation of social distancing in the pandemic period, at least the community can implement social capital which includes informal values ​​or norms that are shared among members of an interrelated community group, which is based on the values ​​of beliefs, norms and networks social and they respect each other, the development of social capital is the creation of increasingly independent groups of people who are able to participate more meaningfully. Social capital can solve citizens' problems, especially with regard to strengthening friendship, repairing and maintaining public service facilities because it has advantages and is the most appropriate, even though there are other social capital in the community.

scholarly journals A regression discontinuity analysis of the social distancing recommendations for older adults in Sweden during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Bonander ◽  
Debora Stranges ◽  
Johanna Gustavsson ◽  
Matilda Almgren ◽  
Malin Inghammar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Regression Discontinuity ◽  
Model Specification ◽  
Regression Discontinuity Design ◽  
Sharp Drop ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Disease Outcomes ◽  
The Social ◽  
National Register Data ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: To study the impact of non-mandatory, age-specific social distancing recommendations for older adults (70+ years) in Sweden on isolation behaviors and disease outcomes during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Our study relies on self-reported isolation data from COVID Symptom Study Sweden (n = 96,053) and national register data on COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths, and confirmed cases. We use a regression discontinuity design to account for confounding factors, exploiting the fact that exposure to the recommendation was a discontinuous function of age. Results: By comparing individuals just above to those just below the age limit for the policy, our analyses revealed a sharp drop in the weekly number of visits to crowded places at the 70-year-threshold (-13%). Severe COVID-19 cases (hospitalizations or deaths) also dropped abruptly by 16% at the 70-year-threshold. Our data suggest that the age-specific recommendations prevented approximately 1,800 to 2,700 severe COVID-19 cases, depending on model specification. Conclusion: The non-mandatory, age-specific recommendations helped control the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden.

A cyclical model of production and consumption waste management: Organizational and financial aspects at the regional level

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1296-1320
Author(s):  
Anna L. SABININA ◽  
Svetlana A. IZMALKOVA ◽  
Irina V. SYCHEVA ◽  
Aleksandr S. VASIN ◽  
Natal'ya A. SYCHEVA
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Regional Economy ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Carbon Neutrality ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Regional Project ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Consumption Waste

Subject. We focus on activation of activities at the regional economy level to transform the linear model of production and consumption waste management into the most rational and environmentally sustainable cyclical model. Objectives. The aim is to develop a cyclical model for the rational organization of activities in the field of production and consumption waste management to reduce the volume of disposal to zero in the foreseeable future. Methods. The study employs methods of economic and statistical analysis and methods of project management theory. Results. The study presents a methodological approach to the organization and financing of rational and environmentally sustainable activities at the level of the Federal subject in the field of waste management, based on a cyclical model. To build the model, the following principles are used: consistency, complexity of basic elements, cyclical actions of progressive and recurrent nature, industry characteristics, constructive interaction of the State, business, banks and the population to reduce the impact on the environment. Conclusions. The implementation of the "Management of Production and Consumption Waste Based on the Principles of a Cyclical Model" regional project will enable to solve the problem of environmental pollution of territories, including the solid municipal waste. The project success is determined by the extent, to which the waste management sector of the regional economy is knowledge-intensive, technologically advanced, and financially secure to reduce the environmental impact in terms of adherence to the carbon neutrality policy.

Social distancing in a social therapy environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 113-127
Author(s):  
Geraldine Ann Akerman ◽  
Emily Jones ◽  
Harry Talbot ◽  
Gemma Grahame-Wright
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Social Therapy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Emotional Environment ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a prison-based therapeutic community (TC). Design/methodology/approach The paper takes the form of a case study where the authors reflect on their current practice, using the findings of research on social isolation and the overarching TC principles to explore the effect of the pandemic on the TC at HMP Grendon. The authors consider how the residents and staff adjusted to the change as the parameters changed when the social distancing rules were imposed and how they adapted to the prolonged break to therapy. Sections in the paper were written by a resident and an operational member of staff. The authors conclude with their thoughts on how to manage the consequences the lockdown has brought and start to think about what returning to “normality” might mean. Findings The paper describes the adjustments made by the residents and staff as the UK Government imposed the lockdown. The authors, including a resident and an operational member of staff comment on the psychological and practical impact these adjustments had. The thought is given to the idea of “recovery”, returning to “normality” and how this study can be best managed once restrictions are lifted. Research limitations/implications At the time of writing, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at HMP Grendon. The measures and commitment from all staff and residents in the prison to keep the prison environment safe may in part account for this. This paper explores the effects of lockdown on the emotional environment in a TC and highlights the consequences that social isolation can have on any individual. To the authors’ knowledge, there is currently no research undertaken on the impact of lockdown/social isolation on a TC. This research would be useful, as the authors postulate from reflections on current practice that the effects of the lockdown will be greater in a social therapy environment. Originality/value HMP Grendon started in 1962, as this time there have been no significant events that have meant the suspension of therapy for such a sustained period. It is, therefore, important that the impact of such is considered and reflected upon.

The Impact of the Social Context on Aesthetic Experience

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Mastandrea
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Aesthetic Experience ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
The Social ◽  
Affective Processes ◽  
The Family ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
The Aesthetic ◽  
The Impact

Not only cognitive and affective processes determine an aesthetic experience; another important issue to consider has to do with the social context while experiencing the arts. Several studies have shown that the aesthetic impact of a work of art depends on, to an important extent, the different socio-demographic factors including age, class, social status, health, wealth, and so on. The concepts of cultural and social capital by Pierre Bourdieu and the production and consumption of artworks by Howard Becker are discussed. Another important aspect of the impact of the social context on aesthetic experience deals with early art experience in childhood within the family—considered as the first social group to which a person belongs.

scholarly journals Modelling the Potential Impact of Social Distancing on the COVID-19 Epidemic in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
F. Nyabadza ◽  
F. Chirove ◽  
C. W. Chukwu ◽  
M. V. Visaya
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Deterministic Model ◽  
Cumulative Number ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Social ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Policy Direction ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to be a global health problem whose impact has been significantly felt in South Africa. With the global spread increasing and infecting millions, containment efforts by countries have largely focused on lockdowns and social distancing to minimise contact between persons. Social distancing has been touted as the best form of response in managing a rapid increase in the number of infected cases. In this paper, we present a deterministic model to describe the impact of social distancing on the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in South Africa. The model is fitted to data from March 5 to April 13, 2020, on the cumulative number of infected cases, and a scenario analysis on different levels of social distancing is presented. The model shows that with the levels of social distancing under the initial lockdown level between March 26 and April 13, 2020, there would be a projected continued rise in the number of infected cases. The model also looks at the impact of relaxing the social distancing measures after the initial announcement of the lockdown. It is shown that relaxation of social distancing by 2% can result in a 23% rise in the number of cumulative cases whilst an increase in the level of social distancing by 2% would reduce the number of cumulative cases by about 18%. The model results accurately predicted the number of cases after the initial lockdown level was relaxed towards the end of April 2020. These results have implications on the management and policy direction in the early phase of the epidemic.

scholarly journals Evaluating Classical Airplane Boarding Methods Considering COVID-19 Flying Restrictions

Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liviu-Adrian Cotfas ◽  
Camelia Delcea ◽  
R. John Milne ◽  
Mostafa Salari
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Zone Method ◽  
Economic Productivity ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Social ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has imposed the need for a series of social distancing restrictions worldwide to mitigate the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic. This applies to many domains, including airplane boarding and seat assignments. As airlines are considering their passengers’ safety during the pandemic, boarding methods should be evaluated both in terms of social distancing norms and the resulting efficiency for the airlines. The present paper analyzes the impact of a series of restrictions that have been imposed or mooted worldwide on the boarding methods used by the airlines, featuring the use of jet-bridges and one-door boarding. To compare the efficacy of classical airplane boarding methods with respect to new social distancing norms, five metrics were used to evaluate their performance. One metric is the time to complete the boarding of the airplane. The other four metrics concern passenger health and reflect the potential exposure to the virus from other passengers through the air and surfaces (e.g., headrests and luggage) touched by passengers. We use the simulation platform in NetLogo to test six common boarding methods under various conditions. The back-to-front by row boarding method results in the longest time to complete boarding but has the advantage of providing the lowest health risk for two metrics. Those two metrics are based on passengers potentially infecting those passengers previously seated in the rows they traverse. Interestingly, those two risks are reduced for most boarding methods when the social distance between adjacent passengers advancing down the aisle is increased, thus indicating an unanticipated benefit stemming from this form of social distancing. The modified reverse pyramid by half zone method provides the shortest time to the completing boarding of the airplane and—along with the WilMA boarding method—provides the lowest health risk stemming from potential infection resulting from seat interferences. Airlines have the difficult task of making tradeoffs between economic productivity and the resulting impact on various health risks.

scholarly journals Browsing with Alexa: Interrogating the impact of voice assistants as web interfaces

2020 ◽  
pp. 016344372098329
Author(s):  
Simone Natale ◽  
Henry Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Media Studies ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Web Interfaces ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
The Social ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Web

Voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant have recently been the subject of lively debates in regard to issues such as artificial intelligence, surveillance, gender stereotypes, and privacy. Less attention, however, has been given to the fact that voice assistants are also web interfaces that might impact on how the web is accessed, understood and employed by users. This article aims to advance work in this context by identifying a range of issues that should spark additional reflections and discussions within communication and media studies and related fields. In particular, the article focuses on three key issues that have to do with long-standing discussions about the social and political impact of the internet: the role of web platforms in shaping information access, the relationship between production and consumption online, and the role of affect in informing engagement with web resources. Considering these issues in regard to voice assistants not only helps contextualize these technologies within existing debates in communication and media studies, but also highlights that voice assistants pose novel questions to internet research, challenging assumptions of what the web looks like as speech becomes one of the key ways to access resources and information online.

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