scholarly journals Device for Suppression of Aerosol Transfer in Close Proximity Settings

COVID ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 394-402
Author(s):  
Yicheng Bao ◽  
Loïc Anderegg ◽  
Sean Burchesky ◽  
John M. Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Potential Application ◽  
Small Space ◽  
Large Space ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Optically Transparent ◽  
Filter Unit ◽  
University Setting

Here we present a device that suppresses transfer of aerosol between nearby seating areas through the use of optically transparent, sound transmitting barriers and HEPA fan filter unit (FFU). A potential application of this device is to lower the risk of respiratory disease transmission in face-to-face, maskless meetings between individuals in a university setting. We evaluate overall aerosol transmission between users of the device. This is done for two different physical settings: a large space, such as a library, and a small space, such as an enclosed study room. We find that the device can provide lower aerosol transmission compared to the typical transmission between two individuals wearing surgical face masks separated by six feet.

Measuring interpersonal transmission of expiratory droplet nuclei in close proximity

2021 ◽  
pp. 1420326X2110296
Author(s):  
Linzhi Fu ◽  
Peter V. Nielsen ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Li Liu
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Short Range ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Interpersonal Distance ◽  
Airborne Transmission ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Droplet Nuclei

Increasing evidence supports the significant role of short-range airborne transmission of viruses when in close contact with a source patient. A full-scale ventilated room (Cleanliness: ISO 14644–1 Class 5) and two face-to-face standing breathing thermal manikins were used to simulate a source individual and a susceptible person. Monodisperse particle generation and measurement techniques were used to evaluate the effect of virus-laden droplet nuclei size on short-range airborne transmission risk. We analysed four particle sizes (1.0, 1.5, 2.5, and 5.0 µm) to simulate the transport of exhaled droplet nuclei within an interpersonal distance of 0.5 m. The results indicated that the size distribution of airborne droplet nuclei could significantly influence transmission, with the inhalation fraction decreasing with increasing droplet nuclei size. Additionally, results showed that proximity to the source manikin could influence transmission. Inhalation fraction decreased with increasing interpersonal distance, fitting well with the 1/ d rule of droplet nuclei concentration decay. Our findings improve the understanding of the mechanism of the disease transmission.

scholarly journals A video-based analysis of situations bearing the risk of respiratory disease transmission during football matches

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Faude ◽  
Simon Müller ◽  
Sebastian Schreiber ◽  
Jonas Müller ◽  
Lukas Nebiker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Respiratory Pathogen ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Football Match ◽  
Droplet Production ◽  
Different Levels

We aimed to analyze the number and type of contacts involving the risk of respiratory disease transmission during football match play.We analysed videos of 50 matches from different levels of play (professional, amateur, youth). Two reviewers evaluated the contacts of all players in the field of view in each match. We focused on between-player contacts (duels), crowding, actions with potentially increased aerosol and droplet production (speaking, shouting, spitting) and within-player hand-to-head contacts. We categorized the duels with direct contact into frontal (face-to-face) and other ones and measured contact duration.The number of between-player contacts were similar between playing levels (median 28.3 [IQR 22.6,33] contacts per player-hour). Frontal contacts summed up to 8% of all contacts. Contacts involving the head occurred on average less than once per player during a 90-min match with none in frontal positioning and none lasting longer than 3 s. Crowding included on average between two and six players and the duration was mostly less than 10 s. Only goal celebrations lasted more than twice as long in professionals (median 21.4 s [IQR 13.8,24.8]) and amateurs (median 18.6 s [IQR 16.3,22]) compared to youth players (median 8.9 s [IQR 0,14.8]). Aerosol and droplet producing activities were three to four times more frequent in adult compared to youth players.Our results suggest that the risk of respiratory pathogen transmission is low during football matches. This conclusion is based on the finding that most close contact situations are of short duration and on the fact that it is mainly an outdoor sport.

scholarly journals Teleconsultation and Teletreatment Protocol to Diagnose and Manage Patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (01) ◽  
pp. e141-e149
Author(s):  
Renato Gonzaga Barreto ◽  
Darío Andrés Yacovino ◽  
Lázaro Juliano Teixeira ◽  
Mayanna Machado Freitas
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ◽  
Good Clinical Practice ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Remote Access ◽  
Vestibular Disorder ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Positional Vertigo ◽  
Video And Audio ◽  
Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Abstract Introduction Telehealth consists in the application of technology to provide remote health service. This resource is considered safe and effective and has attracted an exponential interest in the context of the COVID pandemic. Expanded to dizzy patients, it would be able to provide diagnosis and treatment, minimizing the risk of disease transmission. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common vestibular disorder. The diagnosis typically rests on the description of the symptoms along with the nystagmus observed at a well-established positional testing. Objectives The aim of the present study was to propose a teleconsultation and teletreatment protocol to manage patients with BPPV during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Specialists in the vestibular field met through remote access technologies to discuss the best strategy to manage BPPV patients by teleconsultation and teletreatment system. Additionally, several scientific sources were consulted. Technical issues, patient safety, and clinical assessment were independently analyzed. All relevant information was considered in order to design a clinical protocol to manage BPPV patients in the pandemic context. Results Teleconsultation for BPPV patients requires a double way (video and audio) digital system. An adapted informed consent to follow good clinical practice statements must be considered. The time, trigger and target eye bedside examination (TiTRaTe) protocol has proven to be a valuable first approach. The bow and lean test is the most rational screening maneuver for patients with suspected positional vertigo, followed by most specific maneuvers to diagnostic the sub-variants of BPPV. Conclusion Although with limited evidence, teleconsultation and teletreatment are both reasonable and feasible strategies for the management of patients with BPPV in adverse situations for face-to-face consultation.

scholarly journals Retail store customer flow and COVID-19 transmission

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (11) ◽  
pp. e2019225118
Author(s):  
Robert A. Shumsky ◽  
Laurens Debo ◽  
Rebecca M. Lebeaux ◽  
Quang P. Nguyen ◽  
Anne G. Hoen
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Dominant Mode ◽  
Direct Transmission ◽  
Throughput Rate ◽  
Full Compliance ◽  
Population Prevalence ◽  
Direct Exposure ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Mode Of Transmission ◽  
Models Of Disease

We examine how operational changes in customer flows in retail stores affect the rate of COVID-19 transmission. We combine a model of customer movement with two models of disease transmission: direct exposure when two customers are in close proximity and wake exposure when one customer is in the airflow behind another customer. We find that the effectiveness of some operational interventions is sensitive to the primary mode of transmission. Restricting customer flow to one-way movement is highly effective if direct exposure is the dominant mode of transmission. In particular, the rate of direct transmission under full compliance with one-way movement is less than one-third the rate under two-way movement. Directing customers to follow one-way flow, however, is not effective if wake exposure dominates. We find that two other interventions—reducing the speed variance of customers and throughput control—can be effective whether direct or wake transmission is dominant. We also examine the trade-off between customer throughput and the risk of infection to customers, and we show how the optimal throughput rate drops rapidly as the population prevalence rises.

scholarly journals Transition to Virtual Learning During the Coronavirus Disease–2019 Crisis in Iran: Opportunity Or Challenge?

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. e11-e12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soleiman Ahmady ◽  
Sara Shahbazi ◽  
Mohammad Heidari
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Turning Point ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Virtual Education ◽  
Educational Systems ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Death Toll ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

ABSTRACTCOVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can spread from one person to person. This virus is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. Iran’s novel coronavirus cases reached 17,361 on 17 March, while death toll reached approximately 1,135. Its first death was officially announced on 20 February 2020 in Qom. The 2019 coronavirus pandemic has affected educational systems around the world, Also in Iran, and led to the closure of face to face courses in schools and universities. Therefore, virtual education can be seen as a turning point in education of these days in Iran.

scholarly journals Efficacy of video-based psychotherapy in reducing psychological distress of COVID-19 patients treated in isolation ward

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petrin Redayani Lukman ◽  
Alvin Saputra ◽  
Sylvia Detri Elvira ◽  
Heriani ◽  
Alfi Fajar Almasyhur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
Isolation Ward ◽  
Distress Scale

BACKGROUND Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 experience isolation during treatment, which may cause psychological distress. Thus, alternative ways to deliver psychological support are needed when face-to-face therapy is not possible. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of video-based psychotherapy in reducing distress in COVID-19 patients treated in an isolation ward. METHODS This quasi-experimental trial without a control group included 42 COVID-19 patients aged 20–59 years. Participants were recruited conveniently in the COVID-19 isolation ward in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. They watched three brief psychotherapy videos including relaxation, managing thoughts and emotions, and mindfulness for approximately 30 min. The videos were created by the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia. Subjective units of distress scale (SUDS) was measured before and after watching all videos. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon-signed rank test. RESULTS All 42 subjects finished watching the videos. 31 subjects experienced a significant median decrease in SUDS score after the intervention. The effect size of the psychotherapy videos for the SUDS score was 0.485 (95% CI 0.302 to 0.634). CONCLUSIONS Watching psychotherapy videos is effective in reducing the SUDS score for COVID-19 patients in an isolation ward. Our brief video-based psychotherapy intervention has reduced psychological distress in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with limited access to face-to-face consultations due to the risk of disease transmission.

scholarly journals Primate selfies and anthropozoonotic diseases: lack of rule compliance and poor risk perception threatens orangutans.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Molyneaux ◽  
Emma Hankinson ◽  
Mbra Kaban ◽  
Magdalena S. Svensson ◽  
Susan M. Cheyne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
High Position ◽  
Pongo Abelii ◽  
Rule Compliance ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Sumatran Orangutan ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Risk Of Disease

Our understanding of the transmission of anthropozoonotic diseases between humans and nonhuman primates, particularly great apes due to their close genetic relationship with humans, highlights a serious potential threat to the survival of these species. This is particularly the case at tourism sites where risk of disease transmission is increased. We focus on the interaction between tourists and the Critically Endangered Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) at Bukit Lawang in the Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia, before and after the park was closed due to the threat of Covid-19 in April 2020. Through analysis of posts on Instagram we determine the extent of compliance by visitors with the rule to keep a minimum distance of 10 meters from orangutans and assess the positional behaviours of the orangutans. Of the 2,229 photographs we assessed between November 2019 and July 2020, 279 depicted one or more orangutans. Forty-two of these contained both a human and an orangutan, and of these all showed inappropriate behaviours (direct contact, feeding orangutans, close proximity <5m) providing direct evidence of noncompliance with the 10m distance rule. Most of these photographs additionally showed orangutans performing abnormal positional behaviours such as being low to or on the ground rather than their natural high position in the canopy; being near the ground and in close proximity to humans increases the risk of anthropozoonotic disease transmission. As expected, we found a significant decrease in number of photographs that were posted following the closure, and a decrease in the proportion of photographs that showed orangutans or tourists feeding orangutans. Tourists do not seem to perceive that they pose risks to the orangutans and therefore increased awareness, education and enforcement of rules by all stakeholders, tourism bodies and government officials need to be actioned in order to safeguard this important population, which is crucial to the future survival of the Sumatran orangutan.

scholarly journals Recommendations based on International Guidelines for Safe Dental Practice During Covid-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-30
Author(s):  
Ashutosh Kumar Singh ◽  
Manoj Humagain ◽  
Nikita Khanal
Keyword(s):  
International Organizations ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Dental Practice ◽  
International Guidelines ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Treatment Providers ◽  
Dental Practices ◽  
Risk Of Disease ◽  
Dental Conditions ◽  
Dental Professionals

The shutdown of dental practices after the announcement of COVID-19 has been implemented worldwide. Aerosol generating procedures and face to face contact with the patients put dental professionals at highest risk of disease transmission. There is a looming risk of increasing severity of dental conditions and burden on treatment providers if required dental treatments are kept on hold for an indefinite time. There is a need for definite guidelines to safely resume dental practice in Nepal, based on international experiences during COVID-19 pandemic and international dental societies recommendations. We have compiled multiple recommendations and guidelines from reputed international organizations and collected evidence from dental professional’s work from China and Italy during COVID-19 crisis and attempted to put forward some recommendations and guidelines that can be followed for a safe dental practice in Nepal.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude and practices about dengue fever among adults living in Pwani Region, Tanzania in 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 1601-9
Author(s):  
Method Kazaura
Keyword(s):  
Dengue Fever ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Internal Migrations

Background: Dengue fever (DF) is currently widespread in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Among the triggers of ep- idemic include urbanization and internal migrations. Within the past few years, there have been DF outbreaks in Tanzania. Although Pwani region is among the predicted risk areas for the DF, there is insufficient data about people’s knowledge, attitude and practices towards prevention of DF in their settings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practices about DF among adults in Pwani region in Tanzania. Methods: The cross-sectional study conducted in Mkuranga District, Pwani region in Tanzania. We used face-to-face inter- views to collect data. The main analytical procedure was descriptive using frequencies. Results: The majority, 97.7%, were aware of DF. Nevertheless, almost 80% had a low knowledge on symptoms, transmis- sion and vector control measures. Furthermore, less than 20% had positive attitude towards dengue fever prevention, sever- ity of the illness and health seeking behavior. Conclusion: Lack of enough knowledge and positive attitude about disease transmission, symptoms and preventive meas- ures put the population at high risk of contracting the disease. There is need to create and improve friendly, correct and simple information, education and education messages for the rural populations. Keywords: Attitude; Dengue; knowledge; practice; rural.

scholarly journals Personality and Motives for Social Media Use When Physically Distanced: A Uses and Gratifications Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Bowden-Green ◽  
Joanne Hinds ◽  
Adam Joinson
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Potential Application ◽  
Uses And Gratifications ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Remote Locations ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Media Change ◽  
Virtual Meetings ◽  
The Relationship

This paper explores individuals’ motives for using social media when living under ‘social distancing’ conditions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, where they were instructed to physically distance from other people. Adopting a ‘uses and gratifications’ approach, and using a previously established five-factor scale, we examine the relationship between individuals’ motives for using social media and their personality traits. Hundred and eighty-nine social media users living in the United Kingdom completed surveys assessing their motives for using social media and their personality. Our findings demonstrate that participants were generally motivated to use social media to ‘pass time’ and to ‘maintain relationships.’ Further, we find that those high in extraversion in particular use social media to ‘maintain relationships.’ By comparing our findings to previous studies where face-to-face interaction was not restricted, our findings indicate that individuals’ motives for using social media change when they are placed under physical distancing restrictions. We reflect on the potential application of our findings for others experiencing similar conditions, such as those working in remote locations, as well as the potential implications for living in a post-pandemic world with increased virtual ‘meetings’ using social media.

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