scholarly journals FRONTLINE: The sociology of a pandemic: Countering a COVID 'disinfodemic' with a campus media initiative

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-200
Author(s):  
David Robie ◽  
Sri Krishnamurthi
Keyword(s):  
Prime Minister ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Global Spread ◽  
Decisive Action ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Mass Circulation ◽  
Flow Of Information

Parallel with the global spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, a dangerous ‘disinfodemic’ has been infecting the flow of information worldwide. Communication and media outlets have faced a new challenge with not only being responsible for reportage and analysis of a fast-moving public health emergency—the biggest this century, but forced to sift through the mass circulation of falsehoods that have spread as rapidly as the virus. Concerned about the risks for both health and public responses to disinformation, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres identified the ‘new enemy’ as a ‘growing surge of disinformation’. The UN launched a COVID-19 Communications for Solidarity Initiative to rapidly inform people about facts and science and to ‘promote and inspire acts of humanity’ globally. New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world whose strategy of COVID elimination has been a sustained approach to ‘keep the virus out, find it and stamp it out’. Evoking a theme of ‘our team of five million’ and national kindness, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has led a remarkable campaign blending decisive action and transparency. In this context, this article critically examines a four-month ‘Coronavirus Plus’ initiative conducted by the Pacific Media Centre at a communication programme in one of the New Zealand’s universities in response to the pandemic, deploying the Asia Pacific Report website, asiapacificreport.nz. 

scholarly journals Cutaneous presentation of COVID-19 Case Report

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 01-02
Author(s):  
Khadiga Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Global Spread ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Recent Attention

COVID-19 has high transmissibility and infectivity among human. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) in an effort to slow down the global spread of the virus declared the outbreak, “A global public health emergency of international concern". The skin manifestations of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 were not recognized at the early stages of the pandemic but have received much recent attention in scientific journals. Reported manifestations range from pseudo-chilblains to a morbilliform (measles-like) exanthem, urticaria, vesicular eruptions, a dengue-like petechial rash and ovate scaling macules, and plaques mimicking pityriasis rosea.

scholarly journals Cutaneous presentation of COVID-19 Case Report

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 01-02
Author(s):  
Khadiga Ahmed Ismail ◽  
Mahmoud Khalifa Marzouq ◽  
Ahmed Mahmoud Khalifa ◽  
Osama Mahmoud Khalifa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Global Spread ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Recent Attention

COVID-19 has high transmissibility and infectivity among human. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) in an effort to slow down the global spread of the virus declared the outbreak, “A global public health emergency of international concern". The skin manifestations of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 were not recognized at the early stages of the pandemic but have received much recent attention in scientific journals. Reported manifestations range from pseudo-chilblains to a morbilliform (measles-like) exanthem, urticaria, vesicular eruptions, a dengue-like petechial rash and ovate scaling macules, and plaques mimicking pityriasis rosea.

Local hospital experience of emergency management in the response to SARS (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Yan
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Management ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Hospital Emergency ◽  
Local Hospital ◽  
Referral Network ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Hospital Transmission

UNSTRUCTURED The ongoing outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection was first identified in Wuhan, China at the late of 2019. Following the acceleration of the novel coronavirus spreading, person-person transmissions in family residences, hospitals and other public environments have led to a major public hazard in China. Currently, the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has been further developed into a public health emergency of international concern. In response to an occurring pandemic, hospitals need an emergency strategy and plan to manage their space, staff, and other essential resources, therefore, to provide optimum care to patients involved. In addition, infection prevention measures urgently need to be implemented to reduce in-hospital transmission and avoid the occurrence of virus super-spreading. For hospitals without capacity to manage severe patients, a referral network is often needed. We present our successful field experience regarding hospital emergency management and local hospitals network model in response to SARS-CoV-2 emerging epidemic.

scholarly journals APASL practical recommendations for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma in the era of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuichiro Shiina ◽  
Rino A. Gani ◽  
Osamu Yokosuka ◽  
Hitoshi Maruyama ◽  
Hiroaki Nagamatsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Curative Treatment ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Medical Care System ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Background COVID-19 has been giving the devastating impact on the current medical care system. There are quite many guidelines on COVID-19, but only a few on the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during COVID-19 pandemic. Aims We develop these recommendations to preserve adequate clinical practice for the management of HCC. Methods Experts of HCC in the Asia–Pacific region exchanged opinions via webinar, and these recommendations were formed. Results Close contact should be minimized to reduce possible exposure of both medical staff and patients to the novel coronavirus. To prevent transmission of the virus, meticulous hygiene measures are important. With the decrease in regular medical service, the medical staff may be mobilized to provide COVID-19-related patient care. However, diagnosis and treatment of HCC should not be delayed because of COVID-19 pandemic. The management of HCC should be the same as in non-pandemic circumstances. HCC is highly malignant, thus it is recommended not to delay curative treatment such as surgery and ablation. However, a kind of triage is necessary even among patients with HCC when resources are insufficient for all to be treated. Curative treatments should be periodized and cytoreductive or non-curative treatment such as vascular interventions and systemic therapy may be postponed until it can be performed safely with sufficient resources. For patients with confirmed or suspected to be infected with the novel coronavirus, diagnosis and treatment should be postponed until the virus is eliminated or they are confirmed as not being infected with it. Conclusions These are collection of measures implemented by front-line medical professionals. We would evolve these recommendations over time as more real-world data becomes available.

scholarly journals Structure-based Design of Prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 Spikes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Lin Hsieh ◽  
Jory A. Goldsmith ◽  
Jeffrey M. Schaub ◽  
Andrea M. DiVenere ◽  
Hung-Che Kuo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Room Temperature ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
High Yield ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Yield Production ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Serological Diagnostics ◽  
High Yield Production

ABSTRACTThe COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has led to accelerated efforts to develop therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines to mitigate this public health emergency. A key target of these efforts is the spike (S) protein, a large trimeric class I fusion protein that is metastable and difficult to produce recombinantly in large quantities. Here, we designed and expressed over 100 structure-guided spike variants based upon a previously determined cryo-EM structure of the prefusion SARS-CoV-2 spike. Biochemical, biophysical and structural characterization of these variants identified numerous individual substitutions that increased protein yields and stability. The best variant, HexaPro, has six beneficial proline substitutions leading to ∼10-fold higher expression than its parental construct and is able to withstand heat stress, storage at room temperature, and multiple freeze-thaws. A 3.2 Å-resolution cryo-EM structure of HexaPro confirmed that it retains the prefusion spike conformation. High-yield production of a stabilized prefusion spike protein will accelerate the development of vaccines and serological diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals The Information Infrastructure of Search Engines: A Content Analysis of Covid-19 Immunization Information Online

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renée Belliveau
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Search Engines ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Online Search ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The World ◽  
Global Spread ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

After the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic in March 2020, they cautioned of another outbreak: an “infodemic.” This study examines how online search engines are influencing the global spread of immunization information about COVID-19. It aims to address the various ways in which search technology is shaping users’ perceptions of the pandemic and to measure the credibility of the sources they provide.

scholarly journals COVID-19 quarantine: Post-traumatic stress symptomatology among Lebanese citizens

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 666-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirna Fawaz ◽  
Ali Samaha
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Epidemic Curve ◽  
Global Spread ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Times ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Background: In the light of the global spread of the novel Coronavirus known as COVID-19 and in the absence of an approved treatment and vaccination, Lebanon has taken national measures, among which was home quarantine of the general public in an attempt to flatten the epidemic curve and avoid flooding the health care system. Aim: This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS) during the times of COVID-19 quarantine among Lebanese citizens. Method: This quantitative cross-sectional study recruited 950 civilians and is aimed at measuring the prevalence of PTSS among the Lebanese citizens at an interval of 2 weeks and 1 month of COVID-19 quarantine. Results: The results have shown that quarantine in Lebanon has started to give rise to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder symptomatology during the second week which was worsened in the fourth week of COVID-19 quarantine. Conclusion: COVID-19 quarantine has influenced the psychology of Lebanese citizens and might have persistent effects after the end of this phase which is recommended to be explored.

scholarly journals The temporal correlation between positive testing and death in Italy: from the first phase to the later evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo d'Alessandro ◽  
Nicole Balasco ◽  
Pietro Ferrara ◽  
Luigi Vitagliano
Keyword(s):  
Phase 1 ◽  
Temporal Correlation ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Temporal Shift ◽  
Interesting Insight ◽  
Global Spread ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

After the global spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), research has concentrated its efforts on several aspects of the epidemiological burden of pandemic. In this frame, the presented study follows a previous analysis of the temporal link between cases and deaths during the first epidemic wave (Phase 1) in Italy (March-June 2020). We here analyze the COVID-19 epidemic in the time span from March 2020 to June 2021. The elaboration of the curves of cases and deaths allows identifying the temporal shift between the positive testing and the fatal event, which corresponds to one week from W2 to W33, two weeks from W34 to W41, and three weeks from W42 to W67. Based on this finding, we calculate the Weekly Lethality Rate (WLR). The WLR was grossly overestimated (~13.5%) in Phase 1, while a mean value of 2.6% was observed in most of Phase 2 (starting from October 2020), with a drop to 1.4% in the last investigated weeks. Overall, these findings offer an interesting insight into the magnitude and time evolution of the lethality burden attributable to COVID-19 during the entire pandemic period in Italy. In particular, the analysis highlighted the impact of the effectiveness of public health and social measures, of changes in disease management, and of preventive strategies over time.

scholarly journals Early Days of the Novel Coronavirus: Public Response in Social Media during the First Month of the Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 159-182
Author(s):  
Maris Kuperjanov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Public Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media Environments ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Flow Of Information

The aim of the article is to give an overview of the first month of the novel coronavirus outbreak and of the public reactions to the news in media comments and social media environments in both local Estonian and global contexts. The pandemic was still ongoing at the time the article was published and, with some modifications and new emphases, vernacular reactions in the media (incl. social media) continued flourishing. During the first month (January 2020), the growing flow of information and rapid escalation of the situation made the topic more noticeable in both the media and social media, and thus provided a fertile basis for jokes and internet memes, legends, fake news, misinformation, conspiracy theories, etc., as was the case with the former bigger epidemics and pandemics. As it has also been observed previously, the consequences of some fake news, misinformation, and conspiracy theories may often be more harmful for society than the disease itself. Several motifs and storylines are universal and surge as similar situations arise both in Estonia and all over the world. The article also presents a selection of more prominent topics and examples of the outbreak from social media environments during the initial phase of international awareness of the novel coronavirus.

scholarly journals WEATHERING THE STORM: VIET NAM’S LEGAL AND POLICY MEASURES IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (6) ◽  
pp. 7-32
Author(s):  
Duc Tien Nguyen ◽  
◽  
An Thanh T. Chu ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Public Governance ◽  
Information Transparency ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Entire World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus has shaken the entire world to its roots. Yet, governments’ responses have taken many forms. Some countries were able to flatten the curve, while others struggled to pick up the pieces. This article provides governance implications drawn from Viet Nam’s COVID-19 experience. Accordingly, the country’s key features of its COVID-19 responses include resolute leadership, information transparency, central – local government coordination, public participation, and adequate preparedness. Besides, this article also highlights some of Viet Nam’s key legislative and policy initiatives in a bid to cautiously keep the pandemic under control and the economy rolling. By doing so, it makes a practical contribution to the discourse on public governance in the time of a public health emergency.

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