The early dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Portugal

ABSTRACTBackgroundGenomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was rapidly implemented by the National Institute of Health in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, in collaboration with more than 50 laboratories distributed nationwide. This unprecedented collaborative effort culminated in the generation of 1275 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences, which represent 15.5% of all confirmed cases in March 2020, making Portugal one of the countries generating the highest volumes of SARS-CoV-2 genomic data during early COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe reconstructed and characterized the spatio-temporal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dissemination in Portugal using recent phylodynamic models that allow integration of individual-based travel history, in order to obtain a more realistic reconstruction of the viral dynamics.ResultsWe detected at least 277 independent SARS-CoV-2 introductions, mostly from European countries (namely the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy and Switzerland), which was broadly consistent with the available travel history data, as well as with the countries with most frequent connectivity and/or with the highest number of Portuguese immigrants. Although most introductions were estimated to have occurred during the last week of February and the first week of March 2020, it is likely that SARS-CoV-2 was silently circulating in Portugal several weeks before the first confirmed local cases on March 2, 2020.Discussion and ConclusionWhile the implemented preventive and early control measures seem to have been successful in mitigating community transmission from most independent introductions, our results suggest that their earlier implementation could have largely minimized the number of introductions and subsequent virus expansion. Here we lay the foundation for genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal, and highlight the need for systematic, continuous and geographically-representative genomic surveillance to guide national and international public health authorities toward the characterization and control of SARS-CoV-2 circulating diversity.

Brasil e Portugal: o antagonismo na construção da identidade nacional durante a Primeira República

The purpose of this article is to reflect on the identity separation between Brazil and Portugal, and its implications for collective memory, in the process of building the national narrative during the First Republic (1889-1930). The bias of this work places the phenomenon in the space of confluence between journalism and Brazilian history. The analytical cut comprises twelve editions of the magazine “Brazilea” in 1917, studied based on the narrative conception of Ricoeur (1994) and the constructs about memory (Halbwachs, 1990; Pollak, 1992; Catroga, 2016). As a result, the survey revealed: animosity towards Portuguese immigrants; contempt for the Portuguese legacy, considered “vicious”, and an attempt to banish the national ties between countries from the national narrative. The study found signs of antagonism and intolerance, which suggest xenophobic traces against the Portuguese, a kind of lusophobia.

Exploring Immigrant Identities: The Link between Portuguese Ceramics and Sephardic Immigrants in 17th Century Amsterdam

During urban expansions around 1600 a new neighborhood, Vlooienburg, was created in the rapidly growing city of Amsterdam. This new district was not just inhabited by local people, but also by immigrants coming from different European countries. Among those immigrants there were Sephardic Jewish people, who had fled from the Iberian Peninsula due to the persecution perpetrated by the Spanish Inquisition. By studying the archaeological finds that have been recovered from cesspits at Vlooienburg, an attempt is made to gain more knowledge about the composition of different cultural, religious and social identities living together in this area. As a part of the study of the material culture from Vlooienburg, this paper will present a case study that explores the possible relationships between the mobility of Portuguese ceramics and the presence of Portuguese immigrants. The paper will examine the distribution of different Portuguese wares to establish whether there were significant differences in how these ceramics were acquired and used within seventeenth century households in Amsterdam. The main result of this study is the remarkable link between Portuguese coarse cooking wares and the presence of immigrant households.

MIGRAÇÕES INTERNAS E CONEXá•ES SOCIAIS EM UM CONTEXTO COLONIAL: trajetórias de imigrantes portugueses na Vila de Paranaguá (décadas de 1770-1790)

O presente artigo comporta uma investigação a respeito das formas de inserção de três imigrantes portugueses na vila paulista de Paranaguá, no contexto das décadas de 1770 a 1790. A finalidade central deste estudo consiste em produzir um conhecimento a respeito das formas de absorção de portugueses á vida social de uma vila colonial situada no extremo sul da Capitania de São Paulo. Nesse quadro, o desenvolvimento dessa análise é realizado por meio da sustentação de quatro argumentos. Primeiro, é demonstrado que havia ocasiões nas quais o estabelecimento na vila de Paranaguá por um imigrante português era decorrente do insucesso da iniciativa de se fixar em praça mercantil de maior porte. Segundo, evidencia-se que os portugueses radicados em Paranaguá possuá­am conexões sociais e comerciais em distintas áreas do litoral Sudeste, notadamente a cidade do Rio de Janeiro. A manutenção dessas conexões criava uma diná¢mica de absorção de caixeiros á vila de Paranaguá. O quarto argumento afirma que a constituição de vá­nculo com um compatrá­cio era operacional para o jovem reinol enraizar-se na sociedade receptora. Por fim, é evidenciado que não era incomum que a obtenção de um treinamento profissional pelos reinóis ocorresse na época da menoridade.Palavras-chave: Brasil Meridional. Comércio. Imigração portuguesa.INTERNAL MIGRATIONS AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS IN A COLONIAL CONTEXT: the trajectories of Portuguese immigrants in the municipality of Paranaguá (decades 1770-1790)Abstract: The present article includes an investigation about the ways of insertion of three Portuguese immigrants in the city of Paranaguá, in the context of the 1770-1790s. The main purpose of this study is to produce knowledge about the Portuguese absorption of social life of a colonial municipality located at the southern end of the Captaincy of São Paulo. Thus, the development of this analysis is done supported by four statements. First, it is shown that there are occasions when the establishment in the municipality of Paranaguá by a Portuguese immigrant was due to the failure of the initiative to establish itself in a larger market square. Second, it is evident that Portuguese people living in Paranaguá had social and commercial connections in different space areas along the Southeast coast, notably the city of Rio de Janeiro. The maintenance of these connections used to create a dynamic of absorption of the traveling men to the municipality of Paranaguá. The third argument states that the establishment of a bond with a compatriot was operative for the young Portuguese realm to take root in the receiving society. At last, it is evidenced that it was not uncommon that obtaining a professional retinue training occured at the time of minority.Keywords: Southern Brazil. Commerce. Portuguese Immigration.MIGRACIONES INTERNAS Y CONEXIONES SOCIALES EN UN CONTEXTO COLONIAL: las trayectorias de los inmigrantes portugueses en la Villa de Paranaguá (décadas de 1770 a 1790) Resumen: Este artá­culo contiene una investigación de las formas de inserción de tres inmigrantes portugueses en la villa paulista de Paranaguá, en el contexto de las décadas de 1770 a 1790. El objetivo principal de este estudio es producir conocimiento sobre las formas de absorción de portugueses a la vida social de una villa colonial situada en el extremo sur de la Capitaná­a de São Paulo. En este marco, el desarrollo de este análisis se realiza por medio de la sustentación de cuatro argumentos. En primer lugar, se demuestra que hubo momentos en los que el establecimiento en la villa de Paranaguá por un inmigrante portugués se debió al fracaso de la iniciativa de establecerse en la mayor plaza mercantil. En segundo lugar, se evidencia que los portugueses arraigados en Paranaguá tená­an conexiones sociales y comerciales en diferentes áreas de la costa Sudeste, especialmente la ciudad de Rá­o de Janeiro. La manutención de esas conexiones creaba una dinámica de absorción de viajantes a la villa de Paranaguá. El cuarto argumento afirma que la constitución de vá­nculo con un compatriota era operativo para el joven del reino enraizarse en la sociedad receptora. Por último, se enfatiza que no era inusual que la obtención de un entrenamiento profesional por los jóvenes del reino ocurriera en la época de la menorá­a. Palabras clave: Brasil Meridional. Comercio. Inmigración portuguesa.

Autobiographical Writings by Portuguese Emigrants in Newark: Glocal Emancipation and Resisting Stereotypes

This article examines the experience of Portuguese immigrants in Newark, NJ (USA) through the analysis of autobiographical writings. It aims to highlight the heuristic value and social relevance of autobiographical writings by focusing on four Portuguese immigrants in Newark who self-published their life stories. I argue that autobiographical essays serve as a form of self-valued expression in defiance of the stereotypes that associate the Portuguese immigrant with low levels of education and a lack of interest in literature and culture in general. Finally, I underscore the contribution of biographical research in the emancipation of undervalued groups and individuals.