COVID-19 in Southeast Asia: Implications for workers and unions

The labour market effects in Southeast Asia of the COVID-19 pandemic have attracted considerable analysis from both scholars and practitioners. However, much less attention has been paid to the pandemic’s impact on legal protections for workers’ and unions’ rights, or to what might account for divergent outcomes in this respect in economies that share many characteristics, including a strong export orientation in labour-intensive industries and weak industrial relations institutions. Having described the public health measures taken to control the spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam, this article analyses governments’ employment-related responses and their impact on workers and unions in the first year of the pandemic. Based on this analysis, we conclude that the disruption caused to these countries’ economies, and societies, served to reproduce existing patterns of state–labour relations rather than overturning them.

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The potential dangers of not understanding COVID-19 public health restrictions in dementia: “It’s a groundhog day – every single day she does not understand why she can’t go out for a walk”

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10815-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Clarissa Giebel ◽

Kerry Hanna ◽

Manoj Rajagopal ◽

Aravind Komuravelli ◽

Jacqueline Cannon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Cognitive Deficits ◽

Third Sector ◽

Cognitive Capacity ◽

The Public ◽

Health Measures ◽

Third Sector Organisations ◽

The Uk ◽

Second Wave

Abstract Background Sudden public health restrictions can be difficult to comprehend for people with cognitive deficits. However, these are even more important for them to adhere to due to their increased levels of vulnerability, particularly to COVID-19. With a lack of previous evidence, we explored the understanding and changes in adherence to COVID-19 public health restrictions over time in people living with dementia (PLWD). Methods Unpaid carers and PLWD were interviewed over the phone in April 2020, shortly after the nationwide UK lockdown, with a proportion followed up from 24th June to 10th July. Participants were recruited via social care and third sector organisations across the UK, and via social media. Findings A total of 70 interviews (50 baseline, 20 follow-up) were completed with unpaid carers and PLWD. Five themes emerged: Confusion and limited comprehension; Frustration and burden; Putting oneself in danger; Adherence to restrictions in wider society; (Un) changed perceptions. Most carers reported limited to no understanding of the public health measures in PLWD, causing distress and frustration for both the carer and the PLWD. Due to the lack of understanding, some PLWD put themselves in dangerous situations without adhering to the restrictions. PLWD with cognitive capacity who participated understood the measures and adhered to these. Discussion In light of the new second wave of the pandemic, public health measures need to be simpler for PLWD to avoid unwilful non-adherence. Society also needs to be more adaptive to the needs of people with cognitive disabilities more widely, as blanket rules cause distress to the lives of those affected by dementia.

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Spatiotemporal patterns and progression of the Delta variant of COVID-19 and their health intervention linkages in Southeast Asia

10.1101/2021.12.20.21268140 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Wei Luo ◽

Zhaoyin Liu ◽

Yuxuan Zhou ◽

Yumin Zhao ◽

Yunyue Elita Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Southeast Asia ◽

Spatiotemporal Analysis ◽

Health Interventions ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Epidemic Dynamics ◽

Health Measures ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Public Health Strategies ◽

Time Scan

The global pandemic of COVID-19 presented an unprecedented challenge to all countries in the world, among which Southeast Asia (SEA) countries managed to maintain and mitigate the first wave of COVID-19 in 2020. However, these countries were caught in the crisis after the Delta variant was introduced to SEA, though many countries had immediately implemented non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) measures along with vaccination in order to contain the disease spread. To investigate the potential linkages between epidemic dynamics and public health interventions, we adopted a prospective space-time scan method to conduct spatiotemporal analysis at the district level in the seven selected countries in SEA from June 2021 to October 2021. Results reveal the spatial and temporal propagation and progression of COVID-19 risks relative to public health measures implemented by different countries. Our research benefits continuous improvements of public health strategies in preventing and containing this pandemic.

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To Follow or Not to Follow: Social Norms and Civic Duty during a Pandemic

Canadian Journal of Political Science ◽

10.1017/s0008423920000554 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 273-278

Author(s):

Laura French Bourgeois ◽

Allison Harell ◽

Laura B. Stephenson

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Collective Action ◽

Social Norms ◽

Hand Washing ◽

Elected Officials ◽

Medical Systems ◽

Civic Duty ◽

The Public ◽

Health Measures ◽

Physical Isolation

The outbreak of COVID-19 has put substantial pressure on individuals to adapt and change their behaviours. As the hope of a vaccine remains at least a year away, everyone is urged to take action to slow the spread of the virus. Thus, “flattening the curve” has become vital in preventing medical systems from being overrun, and it relies on massive collective action by citizens to follow specific public health measures such as physical distancing, hand washing, and physical isolation for vulnerable individuals. Despite the recommendations, the public has often been confronted with the reality that some individuals are not respecting them, including elected officials (Aguilar, 2020).

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Public Health Literacy for Lawyers

The Journal of Law Medicine & Ethics ◽

10.1111/j.1748-720x.2003.tb00136.x ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 701-713 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Wendy E. Parmet ◽

Anthony Robbins

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Critical Role ◽

The Public ◽

Health Measures ◽

Public Health Professionals ◽

The World ◽

Key Issues ◽

Public Health Literacy

Public health professionals recognize the critical role the law plays in determining the success of public health measures. Even before September 11, 2001, public health experience with tobacco use, HIV, industrial pollution and other potent threats to the health of the public demonstrated that laws can assist or thwart public health efforts. The new focus on infectious threats and bioterrorism, starting with the anthrax attacks through the mail and continuing with SARS, has highlighted the important role of law.For lawyers to serve as effective partners in public health, they should have a basic familiarity with public health: how public health professionals see the world and the key issues they tackle. A practical grasp of public health can be acquired, and often is acquired, “on the job.”

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Leprosy and Leviticus: A Problem of Semantics and Translation

Scottish Journal of Theology ◽

10.1017/s0036930600035559 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 153-166

Author(s):

John Wilkinson

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Skin Disease ◽

Hansen's Disease ◽

The Public ◽

Health Measures ◽

Hansen’S Disease

For centuries the disease of leprosy and the book of Leviticus have been linked together. The description of skin disease given in the thirteenth chapter of that book has long been thought to be that of the disease known to medicine as leprosy or Hansen's disease as modern leprologists prefer to call it in order to avoid the stigma which still attaches to the name leprosy. As a result, the regulations in that chapter have determined the attitude of Western communities towards persons suffering from this disease, and have largely influenced the public health measures of control applied by these communities when cases of the disease were discovered.

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Silver Linings Reported by Australians Experiencing Public Health Restrictions during the First Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Report

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182111406 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (21) ◽

pp. 11406

Author(s):

Narelle Campbell ◽

Sandra C. Thompson ◽

Anna Tynan ◽

Louise Townsin ◽

Lauren A. Booker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Qualitative Research ◽

Large Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Rapid Identification ◽

National Study ◽

The Public ◽

Health Measures ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Mental Well Being

This national study investigated the positives reported by residents experiencing the large-scale public health measures instituted in Australia to manage the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Most Australians had not previously experienced the traditional public health measures used (social distancing, hand hygiene and restriction of movement) and which could potentially impact negatively on mental well-being. The research design included qualitative semi-structured phone interviews where participants described their early pandemic experiences. Data analysis used a rapid identification of themes technique, well-suited to large-scale qualitative research. The ninety participants (mean age 48 years; 70 women) were distributed nationally. Analysis revealed five themes linked with mental well-being and the concept of silver linings: safety and security, gratitude and appreciation, social cohesion and connections, and opportunities to reset priorities and resilience. Participants demonstrated support for the public health measures and evidence of individual and community resilience. They were cognisant of positives despite personal curtailment and negative impacts of public health directives. Stories of hope, strength, and acceptance, innovative connections with others and focusing on priorities and opportunities within the hardship were important strategies that others could use in managing adversity.

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Controlling the cascade of corona

Open Science Journal ◽

10.23954/osj.v5i3.2529 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Muneeba Azmat

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

The Novel ◽

Limited Data ◽

Press Releases ◽

The Public ◽

Health Measures ◽

First Case ◽

Pandemic Response ◽

Potential Impact ◽

Novel Coronavirus

The pandemic of the 2019 novel Coronavirus has seen unprecedented exponential growth. Within three months, 192 countries have been affected, crossing more than 1 million confirmed cases and over 60 thousand deaths until the first week of April. Decision making in such a pandemic becomes difficult due to limited data on the nature of the disease and its propagation, course, prevention, and treatment. The pandemic response has varied from country to country and has resulted in a heterogeneous timeline for novel Coronavirus propagation. We compared the public health measures taken by various countries and the potential impact on the spread. We studied 6 countries including China, Italy, South Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom(UK), United States(US), and the special administrative region of Hong Kong. All articles, press releases, and websites of government entities published over a five-month period were included. A comparison of the date of the first diagnosed case, the spread of disease, and time since the first case and major public health policy implemented for prevention and containment and current cases was done. An emphasis on early and aggressive border restriction and surveillance of travelers from infected areas, use of information technology, and social distancing is necessary for control of the novel pandemic. Moving forwards, improvement in infrastructure, and adequate preparedness for pandemics is required.

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The Challenges of Being a Family Caregiver During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.2105 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 552-552

Author(s):

Gwen McGhan ◽

Deirdre McCaughey

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

At Risk ◽

Family Member ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Chronic Health Conditions ◽

Health Conditions ◽

The Public ◽

Health Measures

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of our lives, but the population most at risk are older adults. Canadians over the age of 60 account for 36% of all COVID-19 cases but 95% of the deaths, and over two-thirds of ICU admissions. Older adults with chronic health conditions are especially at risk. Prior to COVID-19, family caregivers (FCGs) for older adults were managing their caregiving duties at the limits of their emotional, physical and financial capacity. As such, FCGs need special consideration during these times of uncertainty to support them in their role and enable the continuation of care for their older adult family members. This symposium will report on independently conducted studies from across Canada that have examined how the pandemic and associated public health measures have influenced resource utilization by FCGs and the older adults for whom they provide care. McAiney et al’s study examines the deleterious effect of reduced services on community dwelling FCGs and the wellbeing of their family member with dementia. Parmar & Anderson examined the effect of pandemic restrictions on FCGs of frail older adults and found they were experiencing increased distress and decreased wellbeing. Flemons et al report on the experiences of FCGs managing caregiving without critical services and the effect of restrictive visiting policies and the well-being of the caregiving dyad (FCGs and family member with dementia). Finally, McGhan et al will share how FCGs evaluated the efficacy of public health measures and the public health messaging about the pandemic.

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Investigating the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine using epidemiological and genomic sequencing data

10.1101/2021.03.05.21253014 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yuriy Gankin ◽

Vladimir Koniukhovskii ◽

Alina Nemira ◽

Gerardo Chowell ◽

Thomas A. Weppelmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Genomic Data ◽

World Health ◽

Viral Population ◽

Genomic Sequencing ◽

Sequencing Data ◽

Population Number ◽

The Public ◽

Health Measures ◽

The Impact

AbstractThe novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 emerged in China in December 2019 and has rapidly spread around the globe. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020 just three months after the introduction of the virus. Individual nations have implemented and enforced with varying degrees of success a variety of social distancing interventions to slow the virus spread. Investigating the role of non-pharmaceutical interventions on COVID-19 transmission in different settings is an important research. While most transmission modeling studies have focused on the dynamics in China, neighboring Asian counties, Western Europe, and North America, there is a scarcity of studies for Eastern Europe. This study starts to fill this gap by analyzing the characteristics of the first epidemic wave in Ukraine using mathematical and statistical models together with epidemiological and genomic sequencing data. Using an agent-based model, the trajectory of the first wave in terms of cases and deaths and explore the impact of quarantine strategies via simulation studies have been characterized. The implemented stochastic model for epidemic counts suggests, that even a small delay of weeks could have increased the number of cases by up to 50%, with the potential to overwhelm hospital systems. The genomic data analysis suggests that there have been multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Ukraine during the early stages of the epidemic with eight distinct transmission clusters identified. The basic reproduction number for the epidemic has been estimated independently both from case counts data and from genomic data. The findings support the hypothesis that, the public health measures did not have a decreasing effect on the existing viral population number at the time of implementation, since strains were detected after the quarantine date. However, the public health measures did help to prevent the appearance of new (and potentially more virulent) SARS-CoV-2 variants in Ukraine.

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A Social Network Model of the COVID-19 Pandemic

10.1101/2020.03.23.20041798 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Pei Jun Zhao

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

United States ◽

Social Distance ◽

The United States ◽

Viral Transmission ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Weighted Graphs ◽

The Public ◽

Health Measures ◽

The U.S

AbstractIn the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, currently vaccines and specific anti-viral treatment are not yet available. Thus, preventing viral transmission by case isolation, quarantine, and social distancing is essential to slowing its spread. Here we model social networks using weighted graphs, where vertices represent individuals and edges represent contact. As public health measures are implemented, connectivity in the graph decreases, resulting in lower effective reproductive numbers, and reduced viral transmission. For COVID-19, model parameters were derived from the coronavirus epidemic in China, validated by epidemic data in Italy, then applied to the United States. We calculate that, in the U.S., the public is able to contain viral transmission by limiting the average number of contacts per person to less than 7 unique individuals over each 5 day period. This increases the average social distance between individuals to 10 degrees of separation.

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