scholarly journals Association between Participation in Government Subsidy Program for Domestic Travel and Symptoms Indicative of COVID-19 Infection

Author(s):  
Atsushi Miyawaki ◽  
Takahiro Tabuchi ◽  
Yasutake Tomata ◽  
Yusuke Tsugawa

ABSTRACTImportanceAs countermeasures against the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many countries have introduced or considering financial incentives for people to engage in economic activities such as travel and use restaurants. Japan has implemented a large-scale, nationwide government-funded program that subsidizes up to 50% of all travel expenses since July 2020 with the aim of reviving the travel industry. However, it remains unknown as to how such provision of government subsidies for travel impacted the COVID-19 pandemic.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between participation in government subsidies for domestic travel in Japan and the incidence of COVID-19 infections.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsUsing the data from a large internet survey conducted between August 25 and September 30, 2020, in Japan, we examined whether individuals who used subsidies experienced a higher likelihood of symptoms indicative of the COVID-19 infection.ExposureParticipation in the government subsidy program for domestic travel.Main Outcomes and MeasuresFive symptoms indicative of the COVID-19 infection (high fever, sore throat, cough, headache, and smell and taste disorder) within the past one month of the survey.ResultsOf the 25,482 respondents (50.3% [12,809] women; mean [SD] age, 48.4 [17.4] years), 3,289 (12.9%) participated in the subsidy program at the time of survey. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that participants in the subsidy program exhibited higher incidence of high fever (adjusted rate, 4.8% for participants vs. 3.7% for non-participants; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.90; 95%CI, 1.42-2.54; p<0.001), sore throat (19.8% vs. 11.3%; aOR, 2.09; 95%CI, 1.37-3.20; p=0.002), cough (19.1% vs. 11.2%; aOR 1.96; 95%CI, 1.27-3.02; p=0.007), headache (29.1% vs. 25.5%; aOR, 1.24; 95%CI, 1.07-1.43; p=0.007), and smell and taste disorder (2.6% vs. 1.8%; aOR 1.98; 95%CI; 1.15-3.40; p=0.01) compared with non-participants.Conclusion and RelevanceThe participants of government subsidies for domestic travel experienced a higher incidence of symptoms indicative of the COVID-19 infection.

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e049069
Author(s):  
Atsushi Miyawaki ◽  
Takahiro Tabuchi ◽  
Yasutake Tomata ◽  
Yusuke Tsugawa

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between participation in government subsidies for domestic travel (subsidise up to 50% of all travel expenses) introduced nationally in Japan on 22 July 2020 and the incidence of symptoms indicative of COVID-19 infections.DesignCross-sectional analysis of nationally representative survey data.SettingInternet survey conducted between 25 August and 30 September 2020 in Japan. Sampling weights were used to calculate national estimates.Participants25 482 survey respondents (50.3% (12 809) women; mean (SD) age, 48.8 (17.4) years).Main outcome measuresIncidence rate of five symptoms indicative of the COVID-19 infection (high fever, sore throat, cough, headache, and smell and taste disorder) within the past month of the survey, after adjustment for characteristics of individuals and prefecture fixed effects (effectively comparing individuals living in the same prefecture).ResultsAt the time of the survey, 3289 (12.9%) participated in the subsidy programme. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that participants in the subsidy programme exhibited higher incidence of high fever (adjusted rate, 4.7% for participants vs 3.7% for non-participants; adjusted OR (aOR) 1.83; 95% CI 1.34 to 2.48; p<0.001), sore throat (19.8% vs 11.3%; aOR 2.09; 95% CI 1.37 to 3.19; p=0.002), cough (19.0% vs 11.3%; aOR 1.96; 95% CI 1.26 to 3.01; p=0.008), headache (29.2% vs 25.5%; aOR 1.24; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.44; p=0.006) and smell and taste disorder (2.6% vs 1.8%; aOR 1.98; 95% CI 1.15 to 3.40; p=0.01) compared with non-participants. These findings remained qualitatively unaffected by additional adjustment for the use of 17 preventative measures (eg, social distancing, wearing masks and handwashing) and fear against the COVID-19 infection.ConclusionsThe participation of the government subsidy programme for domestic travel was associated with a higher probability of exhibiting symptoms indicative of the COVID-19 infection.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Imranul Hoque

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how buyer-assisted lean intervention in garment supplier factories affects garment suppliers' productivity and production capability development.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a qualitative research approach and a lean intervention design, a multiple case study method was adopted for this study. Quantitative data on productivity performance and qualitative data on production capability development were collected from a Danish buyer and their four corresponding garment suppliers. Collected data were analysed using standard lean measurement tools and qualitative data analysis techniques.FindingsThis study demonstrates that buyer-assisted lean intervention is a useful strategy for garment suppliers to enhance their productivity and production capability. However, suppliers need to select the right lean tools, ensure seriousness and commitment to lean initiatives, substantial involvement of top management and workers, arrange formal and informal training, provide performance-based financial/non-financial incentives and nurture a learning culture to facilitate suppliers' production capability development.Research limitations/implicationsThis study implemented few lean tools in a single sewing line in four supplier factories for a short intervention duration. Thus, there is a scope for future studies to investigate the impact of the lean intervention on a large scale.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study might bring new insights to the management of buyer and supplier firms concerning how buyers could involve in suppliers' lean intervention initiatives and what suppliers need to ensure to develop production capability.Originality/valueFor the first time, this study engaged a buyer in suppliers' lean intervention initiatives to improve productivity and production capability in the garment industry of a developing country.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Zhaoyang Wu ◽  
James Yong Liao ◽  
Shiyong Wang ◽  
Jiaoyao Ji ◽  
Xiaokui Zhao

With the continued economic downturn, coupled with the slowdown of domestic economic development and fierce market competition, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises has become more and more difficult. Because the financial background and operating strength of small and medium-sized enterprises are far inferior to large-scale enterprises, coupled with the influence of global economic integration, many small and medium-sized enterprises have gradually closed down. Therefore, exploring the entropy coupling algorithm is of great significance to the role of corporate leadership strategy management. This paper studies the coupling conditions and coupling process of corporate strategy and business model, builds a new coupling model, and goes deep into the coupling model to study the cooperation mechanism between its internal modules and initially builds the company to break through the two major dilemmas at the same time. This paper uses entropy theory to evaluate corporate leadership strategy, constructs an evaluation index system based on entropy, determines the weight of each index, and calculates the entropy value. This paper uses the alpha coefficient to test the reliability of the questionnaire. The value range of α coefficient is [0, 1], and different values represent different reliability. Large enterprises as a whole are mostly in the highly coupled (41.80%) and moderately coupled (27.34%) stages; medium-sized enterprises as a whole are mostly in the highly coupled (39.50%) and moderately coupled (31.50%) stages; small enterprises as a whole are mostly in the moderately coupled (39.50%) and moderately coupled (40.72%), low coupling (33.20%), and high coupling (25.9%) stages; microenterprises as a whole are mostly in the low coupling (43.70%), moderate coupling (36.41%), and high coupling (30.51%) stages. The results show that the entropy coupling algorithm can improve the deficiencies in the leadership strategy and provide a practical and reliable path for carrying out leadership development projects.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Massougbodji ◽  
Hervé Tchala Vignon Zomahoun ◽  
Evehouenou Lionel Adisso ◽  
Jasmine Sawadogo ◽  
Valérie Borde ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Little is known about engaging patients and stakeholders in the process of scaling up effective knowledge translation interventions targeting the general public. Using an integrated knowledge translation approach, we aimed to scale up and evaluate an effective pilot program of disseminating research results in public libraries. Methods We conducted a scaling-up study targeting the general public. Based on our successful pilot project, we co-developed and implemented a larger-scale program of free citizen workshops in public libraries, this time in close research partnership with stakeholders and patient representatives. Citizen workshops, each facilitated by one participating physician and one science communicator, consisted of a 45-min computer-assisted presentation and a 45-min open exchange. Additional scale-up costs included offering financial incentives to stakeholders involved and the purchase of audio-visual equipment. The intervention outcome was knowledge gained. Scale-up outcomes were satisfaction, appropriateness, coverage, time and costs. An evaluation questionnaire was used to collect data of interest. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed. Results The workshop theme chosen by patient and stakeholder representatives was the high prevalence of medication overuse among people over 65 years of age. From April to May 2019, 26 workshops were given in 25 public libraries reaching 362 people. Eighteen participating physicians and six science communicators facilitated the workshops. Participants reported significant knowledge gain (mean difference 2.1, 95% CI 2.0–2.2, P < .001). Median score for overall public satisfaction was 9/10 (IQR 8–10). A high level of appropriateness of the workshops was globally rated by the public participants Coverage was 92.6% of the total number of public libraries targeted. Costs were $6,051.84 CAD for workshop design and $22,935.41 CAD for scaling them up. Conclusion This project successfully established a large-scale and successful KT bridge between researchers, clinicians, and citizens via public libraries. This study provides a model for a dissemination practice that benefits the general public by both engaging them in the dissemination process and by targeting them directly.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene Mckendry

Abstract While Modern Languages are in decline generally in the United Kingdom’s post-primary schools, including in Northern Ireland (Speak to the Future 2014), the international focus on primary languages has reawakened interest in the curricular area, even after the ending in 2015 of the Northern Ireland Primary Modern Languages Programme which promoted Spanish, Irish and Polish in primary schools. This paper will consider the situation in policy and practice of Modern Languages education, and Irish in particular, in Northern Ireland’s schools. During the years of economic growth in the 1990s Ireland, North and South, changed from being a country of net emigration to be an attractive country to immigrants, only to revert to large-scale emigration with the post-2008 economic downturn. While schools in Great Britain have had a long experience of receiving pupils from diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, firstly from the British Empire and Commonwealth countries, Northern Ireland did not attract many such pupils due to its weaker economic condition and the conflict of the Northern Ireland Troubles. The influx from Poland and other Accession Countries following the expansion of the European Union in 2004 led to a sudden, significant increase in non-English speaking Newcomer pupils (DENI 2017). The discussion in Northern Ireland about a diverse democracy has hitherto concentrated on the historical religious and political divide, where Unionist antipathy led to the Irish Language being dubbed the ‘Green Litmus Test’ of Community Relations (Cultural Traditions Group 1994). Nevertheless, the increasing diversity can hopefully ‘have a leavening effect on a society that has long been frozen in its “two traditions” divide’ (OFMDFM 2005a: 10). This paper will revisit the role and potential of Irish within the curricular areas of Cultural Heritage and Citizenship. An argument will also be made for the importance of language awareness, interculturalism and transferable language learning skills in Northern Ireland’s expanded linguistic environment with a particular focus on Polish.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Burszta-Adamiak ◽  
Wiesław Fiałkiewicz

Nowadays green roofs play a key role in alleviating the negative effects of urbanization. Despite investors awareness of the advantages of green roofs, there are still some barriers that hinder investments on a large scale. As a result a financial and non-financial incentives are implemented. The review presented in this paper allowed to identify the most popular initiatives and to formulate recommendations for creating incentive supporting implementation of green roofs in urban areas.


Nordlit ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 79
Author(s):  
Elin Haugdal

<p>Large scale residential buildings from the modernist era have been severly criticized for being hostile both towards people and the environment. In small towns and in less urbanized areas in northern Scandinavia such residential blocks are highly visible elements in the landscape. When <em>Hesteskoblokka</em> (architect Astrup and Hellern) was erected in the recreational area outside Hammerfest in 1965 it was the largest residential block in Norway. A similar block, <em>Ormen Långe </em>(architect Ralph Erskine), was completed in Svappavaara in 1965. Both buildings contained apartments for workers in, respectively, the frozen food company Findus and in LKAB mining company. Brand new, they were strong symbols of growing industrial activity and modernization of the north. The blocks were similarly heavily affected by the economic downturn in the following decades, turned into slum or vacated. However, these blocks are not only sociologically interesting, but also the first in the Nordic countries where the architects undertook climate analyses. Both Hesteskoblokka and Ormen Långe obtained their form according to topographical and climatic conditions. Thus they were part of a growing environmentally conscious architecture and a new regionalism within the modernist architecture. This article discusses the attempts of new regionalism in the late modern architecture in the north, and questions both its ideas and realizations.</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-95
Author(s):  
Ning Ma ◽  
Can Li ◽  
Yang Zuo

Purpose Forest insurance is a popular way to reduce the loss of forest disasters, so it is necessary to actively involve stakeholders. In the multi-agent simulation model, the government, insurance companies and forest farmers participate as three main stakeholders. The purpose of this paper is to mainly simulate the behavior of forest farmers under different environmental variables in order to find the important factors affecting the coverage of forest insurance, so as to improve the ability of forest farmers to resist risks in the face of disasters. Design/methodology/approach In the simulation process, the decision-making rule of a forest farmer’s purchasing behavior is a binary selection chain, which is created at random. Forest farmer agents who adapt to the environment will remain; on the contrary, those will be eliminated. The eliminated agents will renew their behavior selection chains through learning others’ successful behavior based on genetic algorithm. The multi-agent mode is set up on the Eclipse platform by using Java language. Findings The adjustment simulation experiments of insurance premium, insurance subsidy and forest area were carried out. According to the result, conclusions and suggestions are as follows: at present, government subsidies are necessary for the implementation of forest insurance; in the future, with the expansion of the insured forest area and the upgrading and large-scale operation of forest farms, forest farmers will be more willing to join forest insurance program, and, then, the implementation of forest insurance no longer requires government subsidies for forest insurance premiums. Originality/value This paper explores the impact of three important factors on the implementation of forest insurance.


2011 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. S358-S359
Author(s):  
N. Sawada ◽  
H. Uchida ◽  
K. Watanabe ◽  
T. Kikuchi ◽  
S. Nio ◽  
...  
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