scholarly journals "I Felt What was Happening in Our Country [USA] with Race was So Much Scarier than the [COVID-19] Virus.” Black Lives Matter Protesters’ Beliefs and Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Arana-Chicas ◽  
Brooke Jones ◽  
Francisco Cartujano-Barrera ◽  
Ana Paula Cupertino
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Black Lives Matter ◽  
Global Movement ◽  
The U.S

This study describes the COVID-19 prevention practices and beliefs of Black Lives Matter protesters in the U.S. Participants completed a survey on following COVID-19 guidelines and answered interview questions. Twenty participants were enrolled. Mean age was 29 and most were female (80%) and black (75%). Participants almost always wore their masks (75%) and washed their hands (85%) while protesting. Most reported rarely social distancing (55%) and not being concerned about COVID-19 (55%). Themes included: 1) Fighting for social justice, 2) Protesting is more important than COVID-19, 3) Unable to social distance, 4) Masks mostly worn, 5) Protests sparked global movement, and 6) Increasing awareness of injustices. Our results suggest that protestors understand the importance of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and follow guidelines, but there are suggestions that some protestors do not consistently adhere to these guidelines. Results may contribute to policies that control the spread of COVID-19.

scholarly journals "I felt what was happening in our country [USA] with race was so much scarier than the [COVID-19] virus." Black Lives Matter protesters’ beliefs and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Arana-Chicas ◽  
Brooke D Jones ◽  
Francisco Cartujano-Barrera ◽  
Ana Paula Cupertino
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Police Brutality ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Black Lives Matter ◽  
Global Movement ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Recommended Guidelines

Abstract Background: The killing of George Floyd triggered the Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality and social injustices in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. No research to date has assessed the COVID-19 prevention practices and beliefs of protesters. The purpose of this study was to assess COVID-19 prevention practices and beliefs of Black Lives Matter protesters in the USA. Methods: A pilot mixed methods study was employed. Participants completed a survey collecting data on their frequency in following COVID-19 recommended guidelines and answered open-ended interview questions to elucidate the results from the survey. Results: Twenty participants completed the study. Participants’ average age was 29 and most participants were female (80%) and black (75%). Most always or almost always properly wore their masks (50% and 25%, respectively) and washed their hands during a protest 2-3 times or more than 3 times (35% and 50%, respectively). Although all believed that COVID-19 testing is important (90%), most had never been tested (85%) and most did not self-quarantine for 14 days after protesting (95%). Moreover, most participants reported never or rarely following social distancing guidelines at a protest (25% and 30%, respectively) and most reported being Not at all or Slightly concerned about COVID-19 while at a protest (25% and 30%, respectively). Qualitative data highlighted the following themes: 1) Fighting for social justice, 2) Protesting being more important than COVID-19, 3) Unable to keep 6 ft distance, 4) Masks worn most of the time, 5) Protests sparked global movement, and 6) Increasing awareness of injustices. Conclusion: Although protesters believe that both the fight for social justice and taking precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic are important, they believe the fight for social justice is more important than the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they understand the importance of COVID-19 and try to practice the recommended guidelines to prevent its spread while protesting. These results make an important contribution for policies for controlling the spread of the disease, and also understanding human behavior of protesting for social justice during a pandemic.

The Case for Social Justice

2018 ◽  
pp. 45-82
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Occupy Wall Street ◽  
Wall Street ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Black Lives Matter ◽  
Opposition Movement ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Trayvon Martin

This chapter explains the fomentation of the Black Lives Matter movement, which began as a hashtag in 2013. The chapter explores the ideology and goals of the movement, as well as past and current tactics that the movement participants are utilizing to bring awareness to their cause. The chapter highlights numerous high-profile incidents that propelled Black Lives Matter onto the national stage, including the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, and Sandra Bland. The chapter juxtaposes Black Lives Matter against other contemporary American social movements such as Occupy Wall Street to better understand the development of an opposition movement in the U.S.

scholarly journals Examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Catching ◽  
Sara Capponi ◽  
Ming Te Yeh ◽  
Simone Bianco ◽  
Raul Andino
Keyword(s):  
Social Distance ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
The Face ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
High Virus

AbstractCOVID-19’s high virus transmission rates have caused a pandemic that is exacerbated by the high rates of asymptomatic and presymptomatic infections. These factors suggest that face masks and social distance could be paramount in containing the pandemic. We examined the efficacy of each measure and the combination of both measures using an agent-based model within a closed space that approximated real-life interactions. By explicitly considering different fractions of asymptomatic individuals, as well as a realistic hypothesis of face masks protection during inhaling and exhaling, our simulations demonstrate that a synergistic use of face masks and social distancing is the most effective intervention to curb the infection spread. To control the pandemic, our models suggest that high adherence to social distance is necessary to curb the spread of the disease, and that wearing face masks provides optimal protection even if only a small portion of the population comply with social distance. Finally, the face mask effectiveness in curbing the viral spread is not reduced if a large fraction of population is asymptomatic. Our findings have important implications for policies that dictate the reopening of social gatherings.

scholarly journals 503. The Misappropriation of COVID-19 Related TV Ad Expenditures

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S317-S317
Author(s):  
Kartavya J Vyas
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Preventive Interventions ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Epidemic Curve ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Background With nearly three-fourths of the U.S. population isolated in their homes between early March and the end of May, almost all of whom regularly watch television (TV), it was no surprise that companies began to purchase airtime on major television networks to advertise (ad) their brands and showcase their empathy with the populace. But how would the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic curve have changed had these same dollars been allocated to proven preventive interventions? Methods Performance and activity metrics on all COVID-19 related TV ads that have aired in the U.S. between February 26th and June 7th, 2020, were provided by iSpot.tv, Inc., including expenditures. COVID-19 incidence and mortality data were collected from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Descriptive statistics were performed to calculate total TV ad expenditures and other performance metrics across industry categories. Leveraging a previously published stochastic agent-based model that was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions to control COVID-19, the number of cases that would have been prevented had these same dollars been used for preventive interventions was calculated using cost-effectiveness ratios (CERs), the cost divided by cases prevented. Results A total of 1,513 companies purchased TV airtime during the study period, totaling approximately 1.1 million airings, 215.5 billion impressions, and $2.7 billion in expenditures; most of the expenditures were spent by the restaurant (15.9%), electronics and communications (15.4%), and vehicle (13.7%) industries. The CERs for PPE and social distancing measures were $13,856 and $29,552, respectively; therefore, had all of these TV ad dollars instead been allocated to PPE or social distancing measures, approximately 194,908 and 91,386 cases of COVID-19 may have been prevented by the end of the study period, respectively. Figure 2. COVID-19 cases prevented had TV ad expenditures been reallocated for interventions. Conclusion Americans were inundated with COVID-19 related TV ads during the early months of the pandemic and companies are now showing some signs to relent. In times of disaster, however, it is paramount that the private sector go beyond showcasing their empathy and truly become socially responsible by allocating their funds to proven prevention and control measures. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Dynamical model for social distancing in the U.S. during the COVID-19 epidemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-149
Author(s):  
Shirish M. Chitanvis
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Temporal Evolution ◽  
Social Experiment ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Back Testing ◽  
Moderate Growth ◽  
Log Normal ◽  
Very High ◽  
The U.S

AbstractBackground Social distancing has led to a “flattening of the curve” in many states across the U.S. This is part of a novel, massive, global social experiment which has served to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic in the absence of a vaccine or effective anti-viral drugs. Hence it is important to be able to forecast hospitalizations reasonably accurately.Methods We propose on phenomenological grounds a random walk/generalized diffusion equation which incorporates the effect of social distancing to describe the temporal evolution of the probability of having a given number of hospitalizations. The probability density function is log-normal in the number of hospitalizations, which is useful in describing pandemics where the number of hospitalizations is very high.Findings We used this insight and data to make forecasts for states using Monte Carlo methods. Back testing validates our approach, which yields good results about a week into the future. States are beginning to reopen at the time of submission of this paper and our forecasts indicate possible precursors of increased hospitalizations. However, the trends we forecast for hospitalizations as well as infections thus far show moderate growth.Additionally we studied the reproducibility Ro in New York (Italian strain) and California (Wuhan strain). We find that even if there is a difference in the transmission of the two strains, social distancing has been able to control the progression of COVID 19.

Social Protest in Times of Social Distancing: Black Lives Matter and COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Avetian ◽  
Annalí Casanueva ◽  
Sulin Sardoschau ◽  
Kritika Saxena
Keyword(s):  
Social Protest ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Black Lives Matter

INTERVIEW WITH GABRIEL SCHIVONE

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 57-68
Author(s):  
Brittany Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Technology Industry ◽  
Surveillance Technology ◽  
Mexican State ◽  
The University ◽  
The U.S

In this interview, Gabriel M. Schivone, 2018 visiting scholar at the University of Arizona's Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice, talks to the Journal of Palestine Studies about the multi-billion-dollar surveillance technology industry and how U.S., Israeli, and Mexican state and corporate entities collaborate in the “laboratory” of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. Schivone discusses how, in 2006 and 2014, the U.S. government subcontracted Israel's Elbit Systems to provide a “virtual wall” under President George W. Bush's Secure Fence Act. In 2014, Elbit's U.S. subsidiary was awarded a new $145 million contract to build the Integrated Fixed Towers project, a similar “virtual wall” concept to provide fifty-two Israeli-style surveillance towers along southern Arizona's border with Mexico.

scholarly journals Social Distancing Causally Impacts the Spread of SARS-CoV-2: A U.S. Nationwide Event Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Gagnon ◽  
Stephanie Gagnon ◽  
Jessica Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Social Mobility ◽  
Event Study ◽  
Experimental Setting ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Spontaneous Relaxation ◽  
Causal Impact ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Rule Out

Abstract We assess the causal impact of a spontaneous relaxation of social distancing practices on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the U.S., while controlling for social mobility and state-imposed social distancing restrictions. Using the quasi-experimental setting created by the U.S. nationwide protests precipitated by George Floyd’s tragic death on May 25, 2020, we document a country-wide increase of over 3·06 cases per day, per 100,000 population, following the onset of the protests (95% CI:2·47–3·65), and a further in-crease of 1·73 cases per day, per 100,000 population, in the counties in which the protests took place (95% CI:0·59–2·87). Relative to the week preceding the onset of the protests, this represents a 61·2% country-wide increase in COVID-19 cases, and a further 34·6% increase in the protest counties. Hence, we conclude that social distancing practices causally impact the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The observed effect cannot be explained by changes in social distancing restrictions and social mobility, and our placebo tests rule out the possibility that this finding is attributable to chance. Our research informs policy makers and provides insights regarding the usefulness of social distancing as an intervention to minimize the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Social Distancing and COVID-19: Factors Associated With Compliance With Social Distancing Norms in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estrella Gualda ◽  
Andre Krouwel ◽  
Marisol Palacios-Gálvez ◽  
Elena Morales-Marente ◽  
Iván Rodríguez-Pascual ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Distance ◽  
Political Ideology ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Distance Measures ◽  
Spanish Population ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Factors Associated

This article describes patterns of compliance with social distancing measures among the Spanish population during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It identifies several factors associated with higher or lower compliance with recommended measures of social distancing. This research is part of a 67-country study, titled the International COVID-19 study on Social & Moral Psychology, in which we use a Spanish dataset. Participants were residents in Spain aged 18 or above. The sample comprises 1,090 respondents, weighted to be representative of the Spanish population. Frequencies, correlations, bivariate analysis, and six models based on hierarchical multiple regressions were applied. The main finding is that most Spaniards are compliant with established guidelines of social distance during the pandemic (State of Alarm, before May 2020). Variables associated more with lower levels of compliance with these standards were explored. Six hierarchical multiple regression models found that compliance with social distance measures has a multifactorial explanation (R2 between 20.4 and 49.1%). Sociodemographic factors, personal hygiene patterns, and the interaction between personal hygiene patterns and the support for political measures related to the coronavirus brought significant effects on the regression models. Less compliance was also associated with beliefs in some specific conspiracy theories with regard to COVID-19 or general conspiracy mentality (Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire, CMQ), consumption patterns of traditional mass media (television, paper newspapers, magazines, and radio) and modern means to get informed (online digital newspapers, blogs, and social networks), political ideology, vote, trust in institutions, and political identification. Among the future lines of action in preventing the possible outbreak of the virus, we suggest measures to reinforce trust in official information, mainly linked to reducing the influence of disinformation and conspiracy theories parallel to the pandemic.

scholarly journals Belief in COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Reduces Social Distancing over Time

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kinga Bierwiaczonek ◽  
Jonas R. Kunst ◽  
Olivia Pich
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Survey ◽  
Wide Spread ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Longitudinal Survey Data ◽  
Distance Methods ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Over Time

Background Conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19 are wide-spread and have even been propagated by highly ranked state officials and politicians in the U.S. Health authorities have cautioned that such theories, although not questioning the existence of the pandemic, may increase the spread of the virus by reducing people’s efforts to socially distance. Methods We test this proposition empirically using longitudinal survey data collected at five time points during the early outbreak of the virus in the U.S. (N = 403). ResultsMultivariate growth curve analyses showed that, although conspiracy beliefs decreased and social distancing increased over time, people holding more conspiracy beliefs at the beginning of the pandemic showed the lowest increase in social distancing. Moreover, cross-lagged analyses demonstrated that people who reported more conspiracy beliefs at any wave tended to report less social distancing at the following wave. ConclusionsOur findings show that COVID-19 conspiracy theories pose a significant threat to public health as they may reduce adherence to social distancing measures.Keywords Conspiracy theories, COVID-19, social distancing, longitudinal

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