scholarly journals Limiting potential COVID-19 contagion in squatting public toilets

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Li Pan ◽  
Shuang-Lan Chen ◽  
Yi-Sha Guo ◽  
Yu-Xiang Du ◽  
Xiao-Di Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Global Stability ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Viral Contamination ◽  
The Public ◽  
Aerosol Generation ◽  
Water Splash ◽  
Rna Fragments ◽  
Respiratory Droplets ◽  
Public Toilets

Background: Since the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten global stability. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is mostly by respiratory droplets and direct contact but viral RNA fragments have also been detected in the faecal waste of patients with COVID-19. Cleanliness and effective sanitation of public toilets is a concern, as flushing the toilet is potentially an aerosol generating procedure. When the toilets are of the squatting type and without a cover, there exists a risk of viral contamination through the splashing of toilet water and aerosol generation. Objective: This study aims to determine whether the cleanliness of public toilets was a concern to the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether a squatting toilet was preferred to a seated design. Methods: A questionnaire was designed and posted on “WeChat” contact groups of the investigators. Results: The survey showed that 91% of participants preferred squatting toilets, but that 72% were apprehensive of personal contamination when using public toilets. Over 63% of the respondents had encountered an incidence of water splash and would prefer public toilets to be covered during flushing and 83% of these respondents preferred a foot-controlled device. Conclusion: This survey suggests that consideration should be given to the installation of a simple foot-controlled device to cover public squatting toilets to help restrict potential COVID-19 contamination and to meet hygienic expectations of the public.

scholarly journals Limiting potential COVID-19 contagion in squatting public toilets

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Han ◽  
Li Pan ◽  
Shuang-lan Chen ◽  
Yi-sha Guo ◽  
Yu-xiang Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Viral Contamination ◽  
The Public ◽  
Aerosol Generation ◽  
Water Splash ◽  
Rna Fragments ◽  
Respiratory Droplets ◽  
Public Toilets

Abstract Background: Since the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten global stability. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is mostly by respiratory droplets and direct contact but viral RNA fragments have also been detected in the faecal waste of patients with COVID-19. Cleanliness and effective sanitation of public toilets is a concern, as flushing the toilet is potentially an aerosol generating procedure. When the toilets are of the squatting type and without a cover, there exists a risk of viral contamination through the splashing of toilet water and aerosol generation. Methods: This study reports an online survey of 134 people in China to determine whether the cleanliness of public toilets was a concern to the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether a squatting toilet was preferred to a seated design.Results: The survey showed that 91% of participants preferred squatting toilets, but that 72% were apprehensive of personal contamination when using public toilets. Over 63% of the respondents had encountered an incidence of water splash and would prefer public toilets to be covered during flushing and 83% of these respondents preferred a foot-controlled device.Conclusions: This survey suggests that consideration should be given to the installation of a simple foot-controlled device to cover public squatting toilets to help restrict potential COVID-19 contamination and to meet hygienic expectations of the public.

scholarly journals Challenges and Controversies in COVID-19: Masking the General Population may Attenuate This Pandemic's Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
General Population ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Strict Adherence ◽  
The Public ◽  
Early Implementation ◽  
Real Life Situation ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spreads i. a., by respiratory droplets. The use of masks in preventing spread is controversial; masks are considered useless by many, while being mandated in some locations. Here, the effect of masking the general population on a COVID-19-like epidemic is estimated by computer simulation using three separate types of software. The main questions are whether mask use by the general population can limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in a country and how to identify opportunities when mask use is cost-effective and safe. To address these questions, the protective effects of different types of masks, the side-effects of masks, and avenues for improvements of masks and masking are addressed. Main results: (i) Any type of mask, even simple home-made ones, may be of value, even if the protective effect of each mask (here dubbed “one mask-protection”) is low. Strict adherence to mask use does not appear to be critical but increasing one mask-protection to >50% was found to be advantageous. (ii) Masks do seem to reduce the number of new cases even if introduced at a late stage in an epidemic, but early implementation helps reduce the cumulative and total number of cases. (iii) The simulations suggest that it might be possible to eliminate a COVID-19 outbreak by widespread mask use during a limited period. There is a brief discussion of why the reported effect size of masking varies widely, and is expected to do so, because of different filtration abilities of different masks, differences in compliance and fitting, other routes of transmission, pre-existing immunity, and because a system of interconnected, disease-prone individuals has non-linear properties. A software solution to visualize infection spread is presented. The results from these simulations are encouraging, but do not necessarily represent the real-life situation, so it is suggested that clinical trials of masks are now carried out while continuously monitoring effects and side-effects. As mask use is not without risks and costs, it is suggested that governments and scientists have an important role in advising the public about the sensible use of masks.

An Expert Ranked List of Pro-nature Conservation Behaviours for Public Use

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea Barbett ◽  
Edward Stupple ◽  
Michael Sweet ◽  
Miles Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mass Extinction ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Human Action ◽  
Short Paper ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Ranked List

The planet is facing an anthropogenic mass extinction of wildlife, which will have a grave impact on the environment and humans. Widespread human action is needed to minimize the negative impact of humans on biodiversity and support the restoration of wildlife. In order to find effective ways to promote pro-nature conservation behaviours to the general population, there is a need to provide a list of behaviours which will have worthwhile ecological impact and are worth encouraging. In a novel collaboration between psychologists and ecologists, 70 experts from practical and academic conservation backgrounds were asked to review and rate 48 conservation related behaviours. According to their judgement, this short paper presents a ranked list of pro-nature conservation behaviours for the public in the UK and similar landscapes. This includes behaviours people can engage in in their homes, their gardens, on their land, and in their roles as citizens.

Monitoring compliance with Kenya’s shisha ban in select public hospitality venues in Nairobi

2021 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2021-056725
Author(s):  
Simone Fukuda ◽  
Salome Nyambura ◽  
Joel Gitali ◽  
Thomas Lindi ◽  
Samson Otieno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
University Students ◽  
African Region ◽  
High Compliance ◽  
Purposive Sampling ◽  
The Public ◽  
Outdoor Area ◽  
Low Prevalence

IntroductionSeven countries in the WHO African Region have banned the sale and/or use of shisha. In 2017, Kenya implemented a comprehensive ban on shisha, including the use, import, manufacture, sale, offer of sale, advertising, promotion, distribution and encouraging or facilitating its use. The objective of this study was to assess compliance with the ban of shisha use in select public hospitality venues in Nairobi, Kenya.MethodsObservational study that used a purposive sampling to select restaurants, bars and nightclubs where shisha use took place before the ban. A total of 200 venues were visited in seven areas of Nairobi City County, Kenya. Shisha use was defined as at least one person smoking shisha in any indoor or outdoor area of the venue accessible to the public, and indicators of shisha use as the display of any shisha equipment.ResultsOverall, 81.5% of the venues visited were in compliance. Shisha smoking was observed in 16.5% of all venues and shisha equipment alone was observed in 2.0%. Among the different venue types, 94.6% of restaurants were compliant, 79.7% of bars and 75.6% of nightclubs.DiscussionThe overall high compliance indicates that Kenya’s shisha ban is well implemented in Nairobi, and may be explained by the comprehensive nature of the shisha ban and the low prevalence in the general population. The variation in compliance may be due to the higher rates of use in university students and the additional resources required to enforce the ban in areas with high rates of crime.

FACTS, MYTHS AND INFODEMICS IN COVID-19 IN HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND GENERAL POPULATION: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.

2021 ◽  
pp. 49-52
Author(s):  
Shrivastava P ◽  
Verma S ◽  
Khushboo Khushboo ◽  
Bhattacharya P K
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Media ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Health Related

Despite the ubiquity of health-related communications via social media, no consensus has emerged what information should be conveyed and how it should be conveyed to avoid creating panic among general population. With lockdowns social media, mass media became as a habit by people for news, information regarding COVID-19 and it is practiced even after lockdown. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mass media, social media and local news has become as the source of a toxic “infodemic” source for public. It contained both solicited and unsolicited advice. No conceptual model exists for examining the roles of media. It is important to rst assess the important mis-information, role of infodemics and prevalent casualness among the public regarding the COVID-19. Till mass vaccination is not commenced it is prudent to emphasize guidelines and practices as per COVID guidelines like social distancing, wearing mask, hand hygiene

Life in Bridgetown, Barbados, According to the Westbury Cemetery Records 1877–1976

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Chami ◽  
Tara Inniss ◽  
Bernd Sing
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Survival Analysis ◽  
General Population ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
The Public

AbstractWe perform a survival analysis on the records of the burials at the Westbury Cemetery, Barbados, between 1877 and 1976. The goal of the paper is to observe the stratified life expectancies of persons of particular time appropriate occupations. Comparing different occupations through time, amongst each other and to the general population, enables us to get some insights into the public health situations and living conditions of the persons working in the respective occupations.

scholarly journals A WELL-TOLD STORY… WILL COVID-19 TEACH US TO LISTEN TO A CITY?

Muzealnictwo ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 163-172
Author(s):  
Michał Niezabitowski
Keyword(s):  
Visual Arts ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Technological Progress ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Prose Poems ◽  
Strong Bond ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Programme ◽  
At Home

As a result of the pandemic, in March 2020, world museology was cut off from the direct contact with their public. Owing to the introduced regulations, Polish museums were closed down on three occasions (14 March – 4 May 2020, 15 Oct 2020 – 31 Jan 2021, and 20 March – 4 May 2021). When searching for new forms of activity, in 2020, museums made an enormous technological progress, and mastered numerous new competences allowing them to move in cyberspace with ease. The pace at which they introduced various ‘online’ formats is worthy of appreciation. Presently, the time has come to ask whether the effectiveness in reaching the public via such means truly contributed to consolidating a strong bond with them. In order to get the answer to this, it is necessary to critically assess the museum efforts, which will not be possible without researching into the Polish public over that period. Wishing to voice my opinion in the critical discourse on the museums’ activity during the pandemic, I have decided to share my experience from a selected activity of the Museum of Krakow: I have presented the effects of the social Programme titled ‘Stay at Home and Tell Krakow’ (#zostanwdomuiopowiedzkrakow). The Museum created this programme convinced that a city dweller, exposed to the oppression of the pandemic will feel the urge to share his or her experience. Apparently, the appeal made by the Museum of Krakow was eagerly responded to. The Museum received ‘stories’ about the pandemic in different formats: prose, poems, diaries, visual arts, and even musical pieces and artifacts. The results of the ‘Stay at Home and Tell Krakow’ Programme are currently hard to sum up, however, what seems a valuable and worth analysing experience is the focus of residents’ attention on the Museum which they considered an institution trustworthy enough to entrust it their private, often intimate reflections on living through that challenging period.

scholarly journals Acceptance Rates and Beliefs toward COVID-19 Vaccination among the General Population of Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Yasmin ◽  
Waleed Asghar ◽  
Maryam Salma Babar ◽  
Hiba Khan ◽  
Shoaib Ahmad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Polio Vaccination ◽  
Acceptance Rates ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Do So

Developing countries like Pakistan have previously suffered from barriers to acceptance of vaccination by the public because of financial and belief barriers. This study aims to explore these beliefs and highlight concerns regarding vaccine hesitancy in the general population of Pakistan since they are a hindrance to an effective coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) immunization in the country. A cross-sectional study was performed involving 1,778 participants from all four provinces of Pakistan. Results from the study showed more than half of the participants to be unsure of the safety (50%) and efficacy (51%) of the vaccine, whereas 42% were concerned about the side effects of the vaccine. About 72% of the respondents planned to get vaccinated, whereas 28% refused to do so. Internationally made imported vaccines were more trusted by the participants. Forty-four percent of the participants agreed to receive the vaccine upon recommendation from a physician. Lastly, participants who believed in the efficacy of the polio vaccination also considered the COVID-19 vaccine to be safe and effective.

scholarly journals Re Thinking the Public Toilet of Dhaka City: An Adaptable Prototype Design Solution to Improve the Existing Situation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Syeda Faeza Hasan ◽  
Farjana Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Public Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Human Waste ◽  
The Public ◽  
Hygiene Education ◽  
The City ◽  
Public Toilets

Dhaka is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world with a population of 21 million. With the constantly rising inhabitants, this urbanizing hub officially only has 122 public toilets, and in reality, most of them are not functional (Sanyal, November 05, 2016). Different studies also suggested that current situations of the public toilets in the city are unusable and unhygienic. Apart from a few good ones, most toilets have filthy floors, inadequate lighting and ventilation, and unbearable odor of human waste. Although unhygienic open defecation by men is a common scene in the city, for the woman it is not an option. While the city plans to construct a few, there still will be a huge need for public toilets to meet the demand of the vast population. It is critical to realize the challenges existing and evolving from the forbidding public hygiene situation and the lack of proper public infrastructure. Understanding the user group is crucial as modern and costly toilets end up being rejected than being used. Thus the paper tries to address the problems and suggests design strategies to achieve a feasible design solution for a sustainable public toilet that supports and empowers communal hygiene. The contribution of this paper is not only to promote a design solution but how this infrastructure can integrate with the surrounding urban context. A modular prototype is proposed which is adaptable, feasible, cost-effective, easy to erect, and can be plugged into any corner of the city. Rethinking public toilets as an adaptable prototype is not only about providing proper sanitation but also encouraging people about hygiene education, awareness, and innovation. The design is conceptualized as a prefabricated self-sustainable modular unit that can be altered, increased, or decreased as per the necessity of the surrounding area. 

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