A Disparity in COVID Numbers: Simulation of Trump v. Obama

Previous studies of excess deaths and infections have come out about the coronavirus during President Donald J. Trump’s administration. With President Trump’s inactions, funding cuts, and statements underestimating the impact of COVID, there have been criticisms about how President Trump handled the coronavirus throughout his presidential term. It brings about the question -- What would the case number of COVID deaths and infections be like if President Barack H. Obama, the prior president, was in office? This study uses an open source Python simulation in order to estimate the number of COVID deaths and infections estimated under Trump and Obama’s administration. By doing a case study between the two, these results provide information regarding the number of lives that could potentially have been saved along with potential insight into finding preventative measures to save lives.

Bright and blind spots of water research in Latin America and the Caribbean

Water resources management in Latin America and the Caribbean is particularly threatened by climatic, economic, and political pressures. To assess the region's ability to manage water resources, we conducted an unprecedented literature review of over 20 000 multilingual research articles using machine learning and an understanding of the socio-hydrologic landscape. Results reveal that the region's vulnerability to water-related stresses, and drivers such as climate change, is compounded by research blind spots in niche topics (reservoirs and risk assessment) and subregions (Caribbean nations), as well as by its reliance on an individual country (Brazil). A regional bright spot, Brazil, produces well-rounded water-related research, but its regional dominance suggests that funding cuts there would impede scientifically informed water management in the entire region.

From Government Funding to Crowdfunding: Identifying Approaches and Models for Universities

Malaysian public universities are bracing for funding cuts and moving towards autonomous status causing them to be more innovative in generating income. Crowdfunding has been part of the solutions. Unfortunately, the emerging of university crowdfunding platforms in Malaysia is relatively slow as compared to the universities in the U.K. and U.S. This study aims to explore approaches and crowdfunding models used by the universities. This study highlights different approaches used by the universities in incorporating crowdfunding into their funding strategies, which can be differentiated into two main groups, namely setting up a university-operated crowdfunding platform and using existing third-party platforms. The investigation on the Skolafund crowdfunding shows that it could be an example of which the crowdfunding model fits Malaysian universities. The findings in this paper can help the universities to ease the burden due to the budget cut impact by utilising crowdfunding.

What do senior genitourinary medicine physicians think of the future of the speciality? A national survey

Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) is a specialty that has undergone significant change over the past decade. Multiple factors have contributed to this including changes in service models and commissioning landscapes, health service leadership, medical education and changes in the spectrum of our clinical work. The Joint Specialist Committee for GUM at the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) conducted a national survey in December 2019 – January 2020 to understand the changing scope of work for GUM consultants. The survey indicated an increase in clinical complexity alongside a decline in registrar recruitment, staff shortages and service fragmentation. Funding cuts have impacted many services and the majority of consultants feel a return to an NHS commissioning model would be preferable. Despite the many challenges, GUM physicians consider the specialty ‘unique, dynamic, friendly and open-minded’. It is clear that senior doctors value the wider clinical, academic and educational opportunities within the specialty.

Research funding cuts will curb recovery in Brazil

Significance Financial constraints on public research and development (R&D) have been worsening over years. The suspension of tax-free imports in late May adds further uncertainty to ongoing research, with many imports focusing on the development of new vaccines and drugs against COVID-19. Impacts Federal public universities, already experiencing large budget cuts, are likely to suspend some R&D and investments. Scientific development and research will not be a priority for the current government. Bolsonaro’s criticism of universities may prompt interference in their activities. Lack of public financing for R&D raises additional questions over Brazil’s recovery.

The future of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in Australia’s ‘chilling’ mediascape

Two decades after Pierre Bourdieu published On Television and Journalism chronicling the decline of French public broadcasting and serious news, Australia’s national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), is in the throes of a similar decline. Besieged by a combination of funding cuts, allegations of political interference, pressure from the commercial media sector, nepotism and legislative frameworks at both federal and state levels that have sent a chill through Australian journalism, the ABC is facing challenging times. Through long-form interviews with journalists and senior bureau figures from the ABC Brisbane Bureau, this study seeks to gauge the extent to which the landscape for conducting public interest journalism in Australia has changed since 2018 and what the future of the ABC may look like.

Older carers of people with learning disabilities: their experiences with local authority assessment processes and personnel

Purpose Amongst other actions the Care Act 2014 emphasised the duties of local authorities (LA) to assess the needs of carers, as well as those they care for and to meet all eligible needs for support. This paper aims to report the findings of a study which explored the experiences of older carers of people with learning disabilities as they navigated LA assessment processes and personnel. Design/methodology/approach Using an explorative design, 21 older carers were interviewed about their experiences. Interview transcripts were qualitatively analysed. Findings Three main themes were identified, namely, needs assessments as ambitions, not outcomes; the effects of funding-cuts projected onto carers; and challenges with social care personnel. Originality/value The study findings attracted a high level of engagement with public awareness and mainstream news and social media. The LA also immediately responded with interventions to address some of the findings, including carer “drop-in” sessions. They are also adapting their carer’s needs assessment processes as a result of the study. It is hoped that the issues raised will be of interest to other social care providers and practitioners.

The impact of government funding cuts on ethno-specific settlement services in Ontario: The case of the Afghan Association of Ontario and the Afghan Women’s Organization

This study focuses on the importance of ethno-specific immigrant settlement service agencies (ISSAs) for Afghan newcomers, in particular, refugees, and investigates the impact of Canadian government funding cuts on their services in Ontario. Based on secondary data, organizations’ archival documents and multi-lingual literature, this research presents the impact of funding cuts on services and service users through a case study of the Afghan Women’s Organization (AWO) and the Afghan Association of Ontario (AAO). This research demonstrates that the 2010 sweeping funding cuts terminated AAO’s programs, and consistent funding cuts have limited the AWO’s programs. Service users, too, confirm the lack of linguistic and culturally competent services, impacting their settlement and integration. This research is guided by the politics of recognition theoretical framework and strives to inform governmental policy, leading to access and provision of essential settlement services for newcomers.

The impact of government funding cuts on ethno-specific settlement services in Ontario: The case of the Afghan Association of Ontario and the Afghan Women’s Organization

This study focuses on the importance of ethno-specific immigrant settlement service agencies (ISSAs) for Afghan newcomers, in particular, refugees, and investigates the impact of Canadian government funding cuts on their services in Ontario. Based on secondary data, organizations’ archival documents and multi-lingual literature, this research presents the impact of funding cuts on services and service users through a case study of the Afghan Women’s Organization (AWO) and the Afghan Association of Ontario (AAO). This research demonstrates that the 2010 sweeping funding cuts terminated AAO’s programs, and consistent funding cuts have limited the AWO’s programs. Service users, too, confirm the lack of linguistic and culturally competent services, impacting their settlement and integration. This research is guided by the politics of recognition theoretical framework and strives to inform governmental policy, leading to access and provision of essential settlement services for newcomers.