scholarly journals Sustaining University Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Benjamin J. Ryan ◽  
Michael P. Muehlenbein ◽  
Jon Allen ◽  
Joshua Been ◽  
Kenneth Boyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Baylor University ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Small Clusters

Abstract Colleges and universities around the world engaged diverse strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Baylor University, a community of ˜22,700 individuals, was one of the institutions which resumed and sustained operations. The key strategy was establishment of multidisciplinary teams to develop mitigation strategies and priority areas for action. This population-based team approach along with implementation of a “Swiss Cheese” risk mitigation model allowed small clusters to be rapidly addressed through testing, surveillance, tracing, isolation, and quarantine. These efforts were supported by health protocols including face coverings, social distancing, and compliance monitoring. As a result, activities were sustained from 1 August to 8 December 2020. There were 62,970 COVID-19 tests conducted with 1,435 people testing positive for a positivity rate of 2.28%. A total of 1,670 COVID-19 cases were identified with 235 self-reports. The mean number of tests per week was 3,500 with approximately 80 of these positive (11 per day). More than 60 student tracers were trained with over 120 personnel available to contact trace, at a ratio of one per 400 university members. The successes and lessons learned provide a framework and pathway for similar institutions to mitigate the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and sustain operations during a global pandemic.

scholarly journals Lessons learned from China’s mitigation strategies in fighting COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 292 ◽  
pp. 03088
Author(s):  
Sijiang Liu ◽  
Mingyuan Wan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Health Complications ◽  
Health Organization

In late 2019, the first SARS-CoV-2 case was reported in Wuhan, China. It has been known as a deadly virus that could cause many severe health complications, particularly respiratory illnesses. With its extraordinary ability to transmit between humans, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide, including Antarctica and the Arctic region. On 11th March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 as a public health emergency worldwide (global pandemic) to raise global awareness of the dangerous virus. With immediate and efficient public health interventions, progress has been seen in many countries such as China and New Zealand. Therefore, in this review, we summarized the important public health risk mitigation measures applied in China.

scholarly journals Planetary extravehicular activity (EVA) risk mitigation strategies for long-duration space missions

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blaze Belobrajdic ◽  
Kate Melone ◽  
Ana Diaz-Artiles
Keyword(s):  
Decompression Sickness ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Space Missions ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Planetary Surface ◽  
Extravehicular Activity ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Surface Exploration ◽  
Risk Mitigation Strategies

AbstractExtravehicular activity (EVA) is one of the most dangerous activities of human space exploration. To ensure astronaut safety and mission success, it is imperative to identify and mitigate the inherent risks and challenges associated with EVAs. As we continue to explore beyond low earth orbit and embark on missions back to the Moon and onward to Mars, it becomes critical to reassess EVA risks in the context of a planetary surface, rather than in microgravity. This review addresses the primary risks associated with EVAs and identifies strategies that could be implemented to mitigate those risks during planetary surface exploration. Recent findings within the context of spacesuit design, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and lessons learned from analog research sites are summarized, and how their application could pave the way for future long-duration space missions is discussed. In this context, we divided EVA risk mitigation strategies into two main categories: (1) spacesuit design and (2) CONOPS. Spacesuit design considerations include hypercapnia prevention, thermal regulation and humidity control, nutrition, hydration, waste management, health and fitness, decompression sickness, radiation shielding, and dust mitigation. Operational strategies discussed include astronaut fatigue and psychological stressors, communication delays, and the use of augmented reality/virtual reality technologies. Although there have been significant advances in EVA performance, further research and development are still warranted to enable safer and more efficient surface exploration activities in the upcoming future.

scholarly journals Pandemic and Sport: The Challenges and Implications of Publicly Financed Sporting Venues in an Era of No Fans

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-33
Author(s):  
Martin Mayer ◽  
Adam R. Cocco
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
The Great Recession ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
State And Local Government ◽  
History Of ◽  
Risk Mitigation Strategies ◽  
State And Local ◽  
Sport Facilities

Professional sport leagues suspended their seasons as Covid-19 became a part of daily life in March 2020, leaving stadiums and arenas across the country empty. Lost in the hysteria of the global pandemic has been the consequences that a lack of sports may have on many state and local government budgets in their efforts to fund their share of sport-related infrastructure expenditures. This commentary examines the history of public sector stadium financing in the U.S. and focuses on two current examples in Arlington, Texas and Las Vegas, Nevada. The discussion highlights innovative measures and risk-mitigation strategies implemented after the Great Recession. Public sector finance challenges due to Covid-19 are discussed, before offering recommendations on strategies to limit public infrastructure risk surrounding sport facilities moving forward.

scholarly journals Canadian perspective on managing multiple myeloma during the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and future considerations

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Foley ◽  
R. Kaedbey ◽  
K. Song ◽  
C.P. Venner ◽  
D. White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Vulnerable Patients ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Canadian Perspective ◽  
Risk Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Second Wave

  The coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has necessitated changes to the way patients with chronic diseases are managed. Given that patients with multiple myeloma are at increased risk of covid-19 infection and related complications, national bodies and experts around the globe have made recommendations for risk mitigation strategies for those vulnerable patients. Understandably, because of the novelty of the virus, many of the proposed risk mitigation strategies have thus far been reactionary and cannot be supported by strong evidence. In this editorial, we highlight some of the risk mitigation strategies implemented at our institutions across Canada during the first wave of covid-19, and we discuss the considerations that should be made when managing patients during the second wave and beyond.

scholarly journals P–725 COVID–19: Fertility patients’ attitudes to pregnancy and implemented changes within fertility services during a pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Schaler ◽  
L Glover ◽  
M Wingfield
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Fertility Treatment ◽  
Patient Portal ◽  
Fertility Treatments ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Risk Mitigation Strategies

Abstract Study question To investigate the attitudes of male and female fertility patients to risk mitigation strategies and pregnancy advice during the first wave of the COVID–19 pandemic. Summary answer The desire to conceive outweighed fears regarding infection. Patients felt fertility treatments should be classified as essential and were agreeable to most risk mitigation strategies. What is known already The effects of the COVID–19 global pandemic on fertility services became evident in early 2020. Because of possible impacts of the virus on gametes, embryos and patients and concerns over virus transmission and the ability of medical services to cope, fertility treatments were temporarily suspended, as advised by ESHRE, ASRM and others. Across Europe, services were paused for approximately 7 weeks. Patients have reported that they found this extremely stressful and in some cases, unfair. After the initial closures, many clinics re-opened but with new risk mitigation strategies regarding PPE, hygiene and reducing staff and patient footfall. Study design, size, duration Men and women with a scheduled appointment at a fertility clinic over a 7-week period during the first wave of the COVID–19 pandemic were asked to complete a questionnaire outlining their experience and how it affected them. Participants were recruited via email using a secure online patient portal. A standardised anonymous 25-item questionnaire was sent to 828 patients and a reminder was circulated seven days later. The questionnaire remained open for 28 days. Participants/materials, setting, methods Participants were invited to complete a questionnaire and assured that all data would remain anonymous. Three areas were assessed. Firstly, how the pandemic itself affected their attempts to conceive. Secondly, participant perceptions regarding the overall disruption to fertility services. Thirdly, how participants feel fertility services should be treated in the event of a future large scale global pandemic. Main results and the role of chance 135 responses were received, giving a response rate of 16.3%. 80% of respondents were female and 20% male with no significant difference in responses between the sexes. Most participants (96%) had completed third level education and 90% were fully employed. Interestingly, 69% of participants continued trying to conceive during this time. This was despite 28% having concerns about contracting COVID–19 should they attend a clinic, 21% having concerns regarding the effect of the virus on pregnancy and 21% having concerns regarding an impact on the fetus. The majority surveyed (93%) stated that fertility treatment should be considered essential. 90% had their treatment disrupted or altered and, of these, 44% felt that this was justified, 23% disagreed and 33% were unsure. Regarding changes implemented within the clinic, 68% were satisfied with online video consultations and a further 16% would be content in certain circumstances. 92% felt privacy was maintained and 95% were happy to sign consent forms via video link. Many disagreed with the no partner policy at early pregnancy scans(57%) and embryo transfer(44%); however, they agreed with it for phlebotomy and treatment scans. In the event of a future pandemic, 79% felt fertility services should or probably should be continued. Limitations, reasons for caution This study focuses on the first wave of COVID–19. The long term, ongoing nature of the pandemic may influence participants’ perspectives on the areas investigated over time. Wider implications of the findings: It is estimated that the world will face a global pandemic approximately once every generation. Fertility stakeholders must learn from these events and studies such as ours are important to ascertain the views of service users. Some policies, such as video consultations, may be of benefit even in non-pandemic times. Trial registration number Not applicable

Periodic monitoring of vampire bats and rabies: a new framework for animal restoration projects in the Neotropics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Gonçalves ◽  
Daniel G. Streicker ◽  
Mauro Galetti
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Risk Area ◽  
Food Web Structure ◽  
Land Bridge ◽  
High Risk Area ◽  
Restoration Project ◽  
Vampire Bats

Nowadays, restoration project might lead to increased public engagement and enthusiasm for biodiversity and is receiving increased media attention in major newspapers, TED talks and the scientific literature. However, empirical research on restoration project is rare, fragmented, and geographically biased and long-term studies that monitor indirect and unexpected effects are needed to support future management decisions especially in the Neotropical area. Changes in animal population dynamics and community composition following species (re)introduction may have unanticipated consequences for a variety of downstream ecosystem processes, including food web structure, predator-prey systems and infectious disease transmission. Recently, an unprecedented study in Brazil showed changes in vampire bat feeding following a rewilding project and further transformed the land-bridge island into a high-risk area for rabies transmission. Due the lessons learned from ongoing project, we present a novel approach on how to anticipate, monitor, and mitigate the vampire bats and rabies in rewilding projects. We pinpoint a series of precautions and the need for long-term monitoring of vampire bats and rabies responses to rewilding projects and highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary teams of scientist and managers focusing on prevention educational program of rabies risk transmitted by bats. In addition, monitoring the relative abundance of vampire bats, considering reproductive control by sterilization and oral vaccines that autonomously transfer among bats would reduce the probability, size and duration of rabies outbreaks. The rewilding assessment framework presented here responds to calls to better integrate the science and practice of rewilding and also could be used for long-term studying of bat-transmitted pathogen in the Neotropical area as the region is considered a geographic hotspots of “missing bat zoonoses”.

Proactive Actions Based on a Resilient Approach to Urban Seismic Risk Mitigation

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 321-335
Author(s):  
Marco Vona
Keyword(s):  
Urban Planning ◽  
Emergency Management ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Natural Risk ◽  
Seismic Risk Mitigation

Background: Seismic risk mitigation is an important issue in earthquake-prone countries, and needs to be solved in those complex communities governed by complex processes, where urban planning, socioeconomic dynamics, and, often, the need to preserve cultural assets are present simultaneously. In recent years, due to limited financial resources, mitigation activities have often been limited to post-earthquake events, and only a few in periods of inactivity, particularly in urban planning. At this point, a significant change in point of view is necessary. Methods: The seismic risk mitigation (and more generally, natural risk mitigation) must be considered as the main topic in urban planning and in the governance of communities. In fact, in several recent earthquakes, significant socioeconomic losses have been caused by the low or lack of resilience of the communities. This is mainly due to the high vulnerability of private buildings, in particular, housing units. Results: Therefore, in recent years, several studies have been conducted on the seismic resilience of communities. However, significant improvements are still needed for the resilience assessment of the housing stock, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this study, which is applied to the housing system, a proposal regarding a change in urban planning and emergency management tools based on the concept of resilience is reported. As a first application, a case study in Italy is considered. Conclusion: The proposal is focused on defining and quantifying the improvement of the resilience of the communities and this must be obtained by modifying the current Civil Protection plan. New tools are based on a new resilience community plan by encompassing urban planning tools, resilient mitigation strategies, and consequently, emergency management planning.

scholarly journals 307 A systems approach to understanding biosecurity decision-making

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 43-43
Author(s):  
Scott C Merrill ◽  
Christopher Koliba ◽  
Gabriela Bucini ◽  
Eric Clark ◽  
Luke Trinity ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Livestock Industry ◽  
Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Operational Level

Abstract Disease and its consequences result in social and economic impacts to the US animal livestock industry, ranging from losses in human capital to economic costs in excess of a billion dollars annually. Impacts would dramatically escalate if a devastating disease like Foot and Mouth Disease or African Swine Fever virus were to emerge in the United States. Investing in preventative biosecurity can reduce the likelihood of disease incursions and their negative impact on our livestock industry, yet uncertainty persists with regards to developing an effective biosecurity structure and culture. Here we show the implications of human behavior and decision making for biosecurity effectiveness, from the operational level to the owner/managerial level and finally to the systems level. For example, adjustments to risk messaging strategies could double worker compliance with biosecurity practices at the operational level. The improvement of our risk communication strategy may increase willingness to invest in biosecurity. Furthermore, the adaptation of policies could nudge behavior so that we observe a short disease outbreak followed by a quick eradication instead of a pandemic. Our research shows how the emergence of now-endemic diseases, such as Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus, cannot be adequately modeled without the use of a human behavioral component. Focusing solely on any one sector or level of the livestock system is not sufficient to predict emergent disease patterns and their social and economic impact on livestock industries. These results provide insight toward developing more effective risk mitigation strategies and ways to nudge behavior toward more disease resilient systems.

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