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Mont O, Curtis SK, Voytenko Palgan Y. Organisational Response Strategies to COVID-19 in the Sharing Economy. SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION 2021; 28:52-70. [PMID: 34786447 PMCID: PMC8581630 DOI: 10.1016/j.spc.2021.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted production and consumption patterns across the world and forced many organisations to respond. However, there is a lack of understanding as to how sharing platforms have been affected by the pandemic, how they responded to the crisis, and what kinds of long-term implications the pandemic may have on the sharing economy. This study combined systematic literature review and qualitative web analysis of 30 mobility, space, and goods sharing platforms of different business models and geographies. An empirically-driven framework of organisational responses to COVID-19 was developed that comprises eight overarching response strategies targeting the organisation, users, and society. It is a novel framework that structures organisational responses to a high-impact, low-probability crisis. This study also discusses the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sharing economy, and explores how this may impact future responses among sharing platforms in the society that seeks sustainability. The learnings of this study have real-world significance. Sharing platforms can learn from each other about how to continue to respond in the face of the ongoing pandemic, and consider actions for future preparedness to potential forthcoming crises. With this we hope to encourage perseverance, long-term viability, sustainability, and resilience in organisations that may offer more sustainable ways of consumption and production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksana Mont
- Lund University, PO Box 196, 22100 Lund, Sweden
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152
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Zhang D, Li H, Zhu H, Zhang H, Goh HH, Wong MC, Wu T. Impact of COVID-19 on Urban Energy Consumption of Commercial Tourism City. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY 2021; 73:103133. [PMID: 36570018 PMCID: PMC9760272 DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2021.103133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread worldwide. To alleviate this spread, various blockade policies have been implemented in many areas. This has led to a sluggish demand in the world's major economies, sharp drop in the trade index, and negative growth in energy consumption. To formulate a better epidemic prevention policy for urban energy consumption of commercial tourism cities, this study summarizes the major statistics of energy supply and demand before and during the epidemic period based on actual data. The characteristics of energy consumption in different sectors, including hotels, transportation, tourism culture, and public utilities, are then analyzed in detail. Finally, the energy consumption features of commercial tourism cities represented by Macao are compared to those of other typical countries (e.g., Italy, United States, Japan, and Brazil). These analyses demonstrate the impact of COVID-19 on the energy consumption in commercial tourism cities, which provides insights for the government or energy providers to formulate policies to adapt to this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Zhang
- School of Electrical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Hongyi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Hongyu Zhu
- School of Electrical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Hongcai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Hui Huang Goh
- School of Electrical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Man Chung Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Thomas Wu
- School of Electrical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
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153
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Development of the Concept of Circular Supply Chain Management—A Systematic Review. Processes (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/pr9101740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This systematic review presents the most important characteristics and trends of research in circular supply chain management (CSCM), taking into account the impact of COVID. In addition, the similarities and differences between the basic concepts often used as synonyms for sustainability are also presented. First, the sample database (39,000 records) was based on a search containing publications’ titles regarding supply chain management (SCM). After narrowing the topic from SCM towards CSCM, the considered paper characteristics were expanded, including abstract and author keywords, to get a manageable number of samples for the systematic analysis (6095 documents) and the most accurate results possible. The analysis’ base sample was divided into two periods (before and after 2012) due to a significant increase and change in the number of publications, their subject, characteristic journals and geographical location. Sustainability has emerged since 2012, while a circular approach emerged after 2017 with a significant share of research, mainly thanks to relevant EU policies. Although the role of the US has been decisive in the field, the European research bases of previous years have increasingly been replaced by Far Eastern dominance. Currently, CSCM’s most important journal is the International Journal of Supply Chain Management (Elsevier), but most articles on the impact of COVID have been published in Sustainability (MDPI). More effective policy implementation and the fight against COVID in the development of supply chains are also likely to spread the circular economic model in the future.
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154
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Factors for Implementation of Circular Economy in Firms in COVID-19 Pandemic Times: The Case of Peru. ENVIRONMENTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/environments8090095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The circular economy can contribute to the eco-efficient use of resources. Firms can obtain relevant benefits if they implement a circular economy. In Peru, the circular economy would create benefits, but it is not fully clear what factors explain the acceptance of firms of implementing a circular economy. Following the theory of planned behavior, the current research assesses the influence of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral norms, intentions, and pressures on behaviors towards the circular economy. A total of 71 medium-size firms based in Peru participated in an online survey. Six questions were focused on general information, and forty-seven questions evaluated the circular economy behavior of firms. A partial least square structural equation modeling technical analysis was used. It was found that attitudes (0.144), subjective norms (0.133), and perceived behavioral control (0.578) had a positive influence on intentions; also, perceived behavioral control (0.461) had a positive influence on behaviors towards the circular economy. Finally, pressures had a positive influence (0.162) on behaviors towards the circular economy. The model explained 64.3% of the behaviors towards the circular economy. The outcomes of the bootstrapping test were used to evaluate if the path coefficients are significant. This study showed that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral norms, intentions, and pressures explained circular economy behaviors. This information can help firms develop strategies to move forward a circular economy and provide governments information about the current situation of circular economy implementation to generate new norms and strategies for more implementation of circular economy measures in enterprises. The novelty is based on using the PLS-SEM technique.
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155
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Transitional Pathways towards Achieving a Circular Economy in the Water, Energy, and Food Sectors. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13179978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Achieving sustainable socio-economic development requires approaches that enhance resource use efficiencies and can address current cross-sectoral challenges in an integrated manner. Existing evidence suggests an urgent need for polycentric and transformative approaches, as global and local systems have come under strain. This study conducted a systematic literature review at the global level to assess the progress made towards achieving a circular economy between 2010 and 2020, a period covering the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the initial five years of their implementation. The focus was on the potential of improved water and energy use efficiency, linking them to food production within the context of a circular economy. Identifying successes, opportunities, challenges, and pathways towards a circular economy from the literature review facilitated developing a conceptual framework to guide strategic policy formulations towards a more sustainable economy. A combination of transformative approaches is analysed in an integrated way in response to the 2030 global agenda on sustainable development. Thus, the study is informed by the initiatives to attain SDGs and mitigating negative environmental impacts due to waste and pollution. The premise is to enhance transformational change as a catalyst for employment creation and the attainment of a green economy while reducing waste. Transformative approaches have been identified to provide pathways towards global climate targets and protection of the environment from further degradation. They are a catalyst to achieve SDG 12 on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
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156
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Abstract
Recent human activity has profoundly transformed Earth biomes on a scale and at rates that are unprecedented. Given the central role of symbioses in ecosystem processes, functions, and services throughout the Earth biosphere, the impacts of human-driven change on symbioses are critical to understand. Symbioses are not merely collections of organisms, but co-evolved partners that arise from the synergistic combination and action of different genetic programs. They function with varying degrees of permanence and selection as emergent units with substantial potential for combinatorial and evolutionary innovation in both structure and function. Following an articulation of operational definitions of symbiosis and related concepts and characteristics of the Anthropocene, we outline a basic typology of anthropogenic change (AC) and a conceptual framework for how AC might mechanistically impact symbioses with select case examples to highlight our perspective. We discuss surprising connections between symbiosis and the Anthropocene, suggesting ways in which new symbioses could arise due to AC, how symbioses could be agents of ecosystem change, and how symbioses, broadly defined, of humans and “farmed” organisms may have launched the Anthropocene. We conclude with reflections on the robustness of symbioses to AC and our perspective on the importance of symbioses as ecosystem keystones and the need to tackle anthropogenic challenges as wise and humble stewards embedded within the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik F Y Hom
- Department of Biology and Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Research, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
| | - Alexandra S Penn
- Department of Sociology and Centre for Evaluation of Complexity Across the Nexus, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH UK
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157
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Paul SK, Chowdhury P, Chowdhury MT, Chakrabortty RK, Moktadir MA. Operational challenges during a pandemic: an investigation in the electronics industry. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/ijlm-05-2021-0307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeThe recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses numerous challenges to supply chains. This pandemic is quite unique when compared to previous epidemic disruptions and has had a severe impact on supply chains. As a result, the operational challenges (OCs) caused by COVID-19 are still unknown among practitioners and academics. It is critical to comprehensively document current OCs so that firms can plan and implement strategies to overcome them. Consequently, this study systematically identifies and ranks COVID-19-related OCs.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses an integrated methodology combining expert interviews and the best-worst method (BWM) to analyze the results. The data have been collected from the electronics industry of Bangladesh, an emerging economy. This study also conducts a sensitivity analysis to check the robustness of the results.FindingsThe results reveal 23 COVID-19-related OCs under five categories: sourcing, production and inventory management, demand management and distribution, return management and after-sales service, and supply chain-wide challenges. The quantitative investigation reveals that overstock in finished goods inventory, low end-customer demands, order cancellations from dealers and retailers, high inventory holding costs and lack of transportation are the top five OCs.Practical implicationsThe findings will help practitioners to understand the OCs and allow them to prepare for future major disruptions and formulate long-term strategies for operations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on supply chain complexity and challenges by considering a major pandemic outbreak. Moreover, the study also contributes to the knowledge on emerging economies, which have been largely neglected in the current literature.
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158
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Bates AE, Mangubhai S, Milanés CB, Rodgers K, Vergara V. The COVID-19 pandemic as a pivot point for biological conservation. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5176. [PMID: 34462442 PMCID: PMC8405658 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25399-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 lockdown reduced human mobility and led to immediate insights into how humans impact nature. Yet the strongest ecological impacts are likely to come. As we emerge from the pandemic, governments should avoid prioritizing short-term economic gains that compromise ecosystems and the services they provide humanity. Instead, the pandemic can be a pivot point for societal transformation to value longer term ecosystem and economic sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda E Bates
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
| | | | - Celene B Milanés
- Civil and Environmental Department, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Ku'ulei Rodgers
- University of Hawai'i, Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, Coral Reef Ecology Laboratory, Kane'ohe, HI, USA
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159
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Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease characterised by symptoms that are like the common cold. The current pandemic situation in anticipation of a vaccine has posed serious threats to the health and economic sectors of countries worldwide. To overcome the quick transmission of the virus, the government of Australia has also taken drastic measures to prevent its spread. These policies include an international and interstate travel ban, social distancing rules, lockdown, shutdown of educational institutes and work-from-home policies. Such rules have affected people on both behavioural and psychological levels. This study aims to analyse the effect of COVID-19 on Australian citizens, and therefore, the changed behaviour of citizens concerning their mobility patterns, transport preferences and shopping methods under the pandemic have been studied. A detailed literature search was adopted for gathering data related to the study theme, along with real-time evidence of changes in the behaviour of people following the pandemic. The socioeconomic impact of the pandemic on social inequality and thereby the effect on the vulnerable people of the population are also studied. Authentic surveys and statistical data are consulted to figure out how the new lifestyle choices of people will linger in the post-pandemic era. It was found that people in Australia have adopted the work-from-home regime, and new habits suiting the nationwide restrictions have become routine for many people.
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160
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Abstract
The organization of a territory relies on a group of transformations produced by economic, environmental, and social emergencies, generating disruptions along with history. Furthermore, every new scenario generates a considerable impact, which makes it more difficult to recover from increasing urban ecological footprints. COVID-19-emergence-aware cities face new challenges that will test their resilience. This new outline constitutes a study regarding urban planning from an environmental and resilience perspective within this new pandemic state of emergency. It contains four main topics: emergent cities, natural resources, sustainability, and resilience. The document shows a case study carried out in a Colombian town named Cajicá, where a bibliometric inquiry conducted with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) adjustments was managed, tested on forty-one scientific papers; all the above were verified by VOSviewer software tools. The study reveals the creation and visualization of several keyword networks and relations retrieved from all the selected articles, along with the use of eight additional documents for all relation analyses. Sustainability and resilience are the main findings, supported as a process of functionality within urban planning. Sustainability findings’ results are prioritized, along with resilience analysis processes, which are both frameworks used during the COVID-19 pandemic; they constitute the main argument within this set of changes, building on alterations of lifestyle and behavioral situations within the main cities.
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161
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The Impact of Direct and Indirect COVID-19 Related Demand Shocks on Sectoral CO2 Emissions: Evidence from Major Asia Pacific Countries. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13169312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19’s demand shocks have a significant impact on global CO2 emissions. However, few studies have estimated the impact of COVID-19’s direct and indirect demand shocks on sectoral CO2 emissions and linkages. This study’s goal is to estimate the impact of COVID-19’s direct and indirect demand shocks on the CO2 emissions of the Asia-Pacific countries of Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan (BCIIP). The study, based on the Asian Development Bank’s COVID-19 economic impact scenarios, estimated the impact of direct and indirect demand shocks on CO2 releases using input–output and hypothetical extraction methods. In the no COVID-19 scenario, China emitted the most CO2 (11 billion tons (Bt)), followed by India (2 Bt), Indonesia (0.5 Bt), Pakistan (0.2 Bt), and Bangladesh (0.08 Bt). For BCIIP nations, total demand shocks forced a 1–2% reduction in CO2 emissions under a worst-case scenario. Given BCIIP’s current economic recovery, a best or moderate scenario with a negative impact of less than 1% is more likely in coming years. Direct demand shocks, with a negative 85–63% share, caused most of the CO2 emissions decrease. The downstream indirect demand had only a 15–37% contribution to CO2 emissions reduction. Our study also discusses policy implications.
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162
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Biswas N, Mallick P, Maity SK, Bhowmik D, Mitra AG, Saha S, Roy A, Chakrabarti P, Paul S, Chakrabarti S. Genomic Surveillance and Phylodynamic Analyses Reveal the Emergence of Novel Mutations and Co-mutation Patterns Within SARS-CoV-2 Variants Prevalent in India. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:703933. [PMID: 34394051 PMCID: PMC8358439 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.703933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of the genomic diversity and the phylodynamic profiles of prevalent variants is critical to understand the evolution and spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants. We performed whole-genome sequencing of 54 SARS-CoV-2 variants collected from COVID-19 patients in Kolkata, West Bengal during August-October 2020. Phylogeographic and phylodynamic analyses were performed using these 54 and other sequences from India and abroad that are available in the GISAID database. We estimated the clade dynamics of the Indian variants and compared the clade-specific mutations and the co-mutation patterns across states and union territories of India over the time course. Frequent mutations and co-mutations observed within the major clades across time periods do not show much overlap, indicating the emergence of newer mutations in the viral population prevailing in the country. Furthermore, we explored the possible association of specific mutations and co-mutations with the infection outcomes manifested in Indian patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nupur Biswas
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata, India
| | - Priyanka Mallick
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad- 201002, India
| | - Sujay Krishna Maity
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad- 201002, India
- Cell Biology & Physiology Division, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata, India
| | - Debaleena Bhowmik
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad- 201002, India
| | | | - Soumen Saha
- MEDICA Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata, India
| | - Aviral Roy
- MEDICA Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata, India
| | - Partha Chakrabarti
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad- 201002, India
- Cell Biology & Physiology Division, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata, India
| | - Sandip Paul
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad- 201002, India
| | - Saikat Chakrabarti
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad- 201002, India
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163
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Singh DR, Sunuwar DR, Shah SK, Sah LK, Karki K, Sah RK. Food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic: A genuine concern for people from disadvantaged community and low-income families in Province 2 of Nepal. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254954. [PMID: 34288965 PMCID: PMC8294479 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food insecurity is a serious social and public health problem which is exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic especially in resource-poor countries such as Nepal. However, there is a paucity of evidence at local levels. This study aims to explore food insecurity among people from the disadvantaged community and low-income families during the COVID-19 pandemic in Province-2 of Nepal. METHODS The semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted virtually among purposively selected participants (n = 41) from both urban and rural areas in eight districts of Province 2 in Nepal. All the interviews were conducted in the local language between July and August 2020. The data analysis was performed using thematic network analysis in Nvivo 12 Pro software. RESULTS The results of this study are grouped into four global themes: i) Impact of COVID-19 on food security; ii) Food insecurity and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, iii) Food relief and emergency support during the COVID-19 pandemic, and iv) Impact of COVID-19 and food insecurity on health and wellbeing. Most participants in the study expressed that families from low socioeconomic backgrounds and disadvantaged communities such as those working on daily wages and who rely on remittance had experienced increased food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants used different forms of coping strategies to meet their food requirements during the pandemic. Community members experienced favouritism, nepotism, and partiality from local politicians and authorities during the distribution of food relief. The food insecurity among low-income and disadvantaged families has affected their health and wellbeing making them increasingly vulnerable to the COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSION Food insecurity among low-income and disadvantaged families was found to be a serious problem during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests that the relief support plan and policies should be focused on the implementation of immediate sustainable food security strategies to prevent hunger, malnutrition, and mental health problems among the most vulnerable groups in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devendra Raj Singh
- Department of Public Health, Asian College for Advance Studies, Purbanchal University, Lalitpur, Nepal
- Research and Innovation Section, Southeast Asia Development Actions Network (SADAN), Lalitpur, Nepal
- Research Section, Swadesh Development Foundation (SDF), Siraha, Province-2, Nepal
| | - Dev Ram Sunuwar
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Armed Police Force Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Sunil Kumar Shah
- Program Section, Bagmati Welfare Society Nepal, Sarlahi, Province-2, Nepal
| | - Lalita Kumari Sah
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Kshitij Karki
- Department of Public Health, Asian College for Advance Studies, Purbanchal University, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Rajeeb Kumar Sah
- Department of Allied Health Professions, Sports and Exercise, School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
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164
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Si R, Yao Y, Zhang X, Lu Q, Aziz N. Investigating the Links Between Vaccination Against COVID-19 and Public Attitudes Toward Protective Countermeasures: Implications for Public Health. Front Public Health 2021; 9:702699. [PMID: 34368065 PMCID: PMC8333618 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.702699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is spreading globally at an unprecedented rate. To protect the world against this devastating catastrophe, vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 have been produced following consistent clinical trials. However, the durability of a protective immune response due to vaccination has not been confirmed. Moreover, COVID-19 vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is not 100% guaranteed, as new variants arise due to mutations. Consequently, health officials are pleading with the public to take extra precautions against the virus and continue wearing masks, wash hands, and observe physical distancing even after vaccination. The current research collected data from 4,540 participants (1,825 vaccinated and 2,715 not vaccinated) in China to analyze this phenomenon empirically. The propensity score matching (PSM) model is employed to analyze the impact of vaccination against COVID-19 on participants' attitudes toward protective countermeasures. The findings showed that gender, age, education level, occupation risk, individual health risk perception, public health risk perception, social responsibility, peer effect, and government supervision are the main drivers for participants to be vaccinated with COVID-19's vaccines. The results further show that vaccination lessened participants' frequency of hand washing by 1.75 times and their compliance frequency intensity of observing physical distancing by 1.24 times. However, the rate of mask-wearing did not reduce significantly, implying that China's main countermeasure of effective mask-wearing effectively controls COVID-19. Moreover, the findings indicate that a reduction in the frequency of hand washing and observing physical distance could cause a resurgence of COVID-19. In conclusion, factors leading to the eradication of SARS-CoV-2 from the world are complex to be achieved, so the exploration of COVID-19 vaccination and people's attitude toward protective countermeasures may provide insights for policymakers to encourage vaccinated people to follow protective health measures and help in completely defeating the COVID-19 from the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruishi Si
- School of Public Administration, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China
| | - Yumeng Yao
- School of Public Administration, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China
| | - Xueqian Zhang
- School of Public Administration, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China
| | - Qian Lu
- College of Economics and Management, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, China
| | - Noshaba Aziz
- College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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165
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Big Data-Enabled Solutions Framework to Overcoming the Barriers to Circular Economy Initiatives in Healthcare Sector. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18147513. [PMID: 34299964 PMCID: PMC8305369 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Ever-changing conditions and emerging new challenges affect the ability of the healthcare sector to survive with the current system, and to maintain its processes effectively. In the healthcare sector, the conservation of the natural resources is being obstructed by insufficient infrastructure for managing residual waste resulting from single-use medical materials, increased energy use, and its environmental burden. In this context, circularity and sustainability concepts have become essential in healthcare to meliorate the sector’s negative impacts on the environment. The main aim of this study is to identify the barriers related to circular economy (CE) in the healthcare sector, apply big data analytics in healthcare, and provide solutions to these barriers. The contribution of this research is the detailed examination of the current healthcare literature about CE adaptation, and a proposal for a big data-enabled solutions framework to barriers to circularity, using fuzzy best-worst Method (BWM) and fuzzy VIKOR. Based on the findings, managerial, policy, and theoretical implementations are recommended to support sustainable development initiatives in the healthcare sector.
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166
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Richter I, Avillanosa A, Cheung V, Goh HC, Johari S, Kay S, Maharja C, Nguyễn TH, Pahl S, Sugardjito J, Sumeldan J, van Nguyen Q, Vu HT, Wan Mohamad Ariffin WNS, Austen MC. Looking Through the COVID-19 Window of Opportunity: Future Scenarios Arising From the COVID-19 Pandemic Across Five Case Study Sites. Front Psychol 2021; 12:635686. [PMID: 34305710 PMCID: PMC8293277 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused (and continues to cause) severe disruption in global and local economies and has forced countries, societies, and individuals to adapt quickly to the unprecedented and unpredictable situations. Despite the obvious negative consequences of the pandemic, many have called for efforts to identify transformative opportunities for sustainable development throughout this disorderly time. In the present paper, we explore such potential opportunities in the context of an interdisciplinary, international research project, which is focusing on sustainable marine management in biosphere reserves and marine parks in Southeast Asia. During a virtual workshop conducted as part of the GCRF (Government's Global Challenges Research Fund) Blue Communities Project, future scenarios were developed depicting the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on five case study sites. All of these sites are in areas of internationally recognized outstanding ecological value (Taka Bonerate Kepulauan-Selayar Biosphere Reserve, Indonesia; Tun Mustapha Park, Sabah, Malaysia; Palawan Biosphere Reserve, Philippines; North Devon Biosphere Reserve, United Kingdom; Cu Lao Cham-Hoi An Biosphere Reserve, Vietnam). At the macro-level, economies, governance structures, and societal norms are undergoing big changes. At the micro-level, the livelihoods, lifestyles, and backyards of local residents have to adapt. Collaboratively, we explored how COVID-19 posed challenges in our five case study sites, but we also focused on the potential COVID-19-related windows of opportunity for future sustainable development. Opportunities could be identified in all three pillars of sustainable development: the environment, the society, and the economy. Although remarkable similarities can be found across all five sites, we conclude that there cannot be a "one-size-fits-all" solution to turn the tide toward achieving sustainable development. Just as before the pandemic, sustainable development starts with engaging with and understanding local environments, challenges, and situations; building on local knowledge; and developing tailor-made solutions for the communities in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabell Richter
- School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
- Psykologisk Institutt, Norwegian University for Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Arlene Avillanosa
- College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Western Philippines University-Puerto Princesa Campus, Puerto Princesa, Philippines
| | - Victoria Cheung
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Hong Ching Goh
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sofia Johari
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Susan Kay
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Carya Maharja
- Centre for Sustainable Energy and Resources Management, Universitas Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Thu Hà Nguyễn
- Faculty of Social Work, Hanoi National University of Education, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Sabine Pahl
- Urban and Environmental Psychology Group, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jito Sugardjito
- Centre for Sustainable Energy and Resources Management, Universitas Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Joel Sumeldan
- College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Western Philippines University-Puerto Princesa Campus, Puerto Princesa, Philippines
| | - Quyen van Nguyen
- Faculty of Biology, Hanoi National University of Education, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hien Thuc Vu
- Vietnam Man and Biosphere Program National Committee, Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Melanie C. Austen
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
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167
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Coelho DH, Reiter ER, Budd SG, Shin Y, Kons ZA, Costanzo RM. Quality of life and safety impact of COVID-19 associated smell and taste disturbances. Am J Otolaryngol 2021; 42:103001. [PMID: 33773440 PMCID: PMC7983361 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The association between COVID-19 and chemosensory loss has garnered substantial attention, however to date little is known about the real-life consequences of impairment in this unique patient population. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) and personal safety deficits experienced by patients with COVID-19 infection. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, longitudinal questionnaires. SETTING National survey. METHODS A longitudinal web-based nationwide survey of adults with COVID-19 and/or a sudden change in smell and taste was launched April 10, 2020. Previously published questions on chemosensory-related QOL and safety events were asked at the 6-month follow-up survey. RESULTS As of February 10, 2021, 480 eligible respondents took the 6-month questionnaire, of whom 322 were COVID-19 positive. Impact on QOL was substantial with 96% of subjects reporting at least one of the defined deficits, and over 75% reporting at least 3 of these. "Reduced enjoyment of food" was the most common complaint (87%), while 43% of subjects self-reported depression. The prevalence of safety-related issues was common in this population, with over 57% reporting at least one, and 36% reporting 2 or more events. Of the events asked, the inability to smell smoke that others could perceive was the most common at 45%. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 associated chemosensory losses have a real and substantial impact on both quality of life and safety, beyond mere inconvenience. The high prevalence of these issues despite a relatively short period of olfactory deficit should alert clinicians to the serious risks to an already vulnerable patient population.
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168
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Integration of Digital Economy and Circular Economy: Current Status and Future Directions. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13137217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Circular economy (CE) is a concept actively advocated by the European Union (EU), China, Japan, and the United Kingdom. At present, CE is considered to grant the most traction for companies to achieve sustainable development. However, CE is still rarely adopted by enterprises. As the backbone of the fourth industrial revolution, the digital economy (DE) is considered to have a disruptive effect. Studies have shown that digital technology has great potential in promoting the development of CE. Especially during the COVID-19 epidemic that has severely negatively affected the global economy, environment, and society, CE and DE are receiving high attention from policy makers, practitioners, and scholars around the world. However, the integration of CE and digital technology is a small and rapidly developing research field that is still in its infancy. Although there is a large amount of research in the fields of CE and DE, respectively, there are few studies that look into integrating these two fields. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the research progress and trends of the integration of CE and DE, and provide an overview for future research. This paper adopts a bibliometric research method, employs the Web of Science database as its literature source, and uses VOSviewer visual software to carry out keyword co-occurrence analysis, which focuses on publication trends, journal sources, keyword visualization, multidisciplinary areas, life cycle stages, and application fields.
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169
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Farahmandfar R, Asnaashari M, Hesami B. Monitoring of new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): Origin, transmission, and food preservation methods. J FOOD PROCESS PRES 2021; 45:e15564. [PMID: 34219846 PMCID: PMC8237013 DOI: 10.1111/jfpp.15564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Unfortunately, there is limited research on coronavirus survival of food products and also food processing. The knowledge of the physical and chemical characteristics of coronaviruses mostly comes from the study of SARS‐CoV and MERS‐CoV physical (i.e., thermal processing, chilling and freezing, microwave irradiation, ultraviolet light, gamma irradiation, high hydrostatic pressure) and chemical (acidification and use of common disinfectants in the food industry like chlorinated derivatives and ozone) are means which could be used to inactive the coronaviruses or reduce the infection. These methods can be applied individually or in combination to act better performance. Thermal processing is one of the most effective methods for inactive coronavirus. Heating at 75°C (15–60 min) and 65°C (1 min) was the best temperature for inactive SARS‐CoV and MERS virus, respectively. Among irradiation methods (microwave, UV, and gamma), the most effective one is UVC rays. Moreover, the use of disinfectant like chlorinated derivatives is appropriate way to disinfect food product surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Farahmandfar
- Department of Food Science and Technology Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University Sari Iran
| | - Maryam Asnaashari
- Department of Food Science and Technology Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University Sari Iran
| | - Bakhtiyar Hesami
- Department of Food Science and Technology Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University Sari Iran
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170
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Grözinger AC, Wolff S, Ruf PJ, Moog P. The power of shared positivity: organizational psychological capital and firm performance during exogenous crises. SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMICS 2021; 58:689-716. [PMID: 38624833 PMCID: PMC8179961 DOI: 10.1007/s11187-021-00506-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the influence of organizational psychological capital on the performance of small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) during crises. We argue that SMEs use their intangible resources to cope with difficult situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we investigate how organizational psychological capital impacts performance and creative innovation through such intangible resources, namely, organizational citizenship behavior, solidarity, and cooperation. Methodologically, we combine structural equation modelling and regression analysis on a dataset of 379 SMEs. Our results support the notion that organizational psychological capital positively influences creative innovation of SMEs and thus performance during crises. Our research contributes to the organizational behavior literature by showing that psychological resources of SMEs can strengthen performance in times of crisis and help to prepare for future ones.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sven Wolff
- Chair for Entrepreneurship and Family Business, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Philipp Julian Ruf
- Chair for Entrepreneurship and Family Business, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Petra Moog
- Chair for Entrepreneurship and Family Business, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
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171
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Das AK, Islam MN, Billah MM, Sarker A. COVID-19 and municipal solid waste (MSW) management: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021. [PMID: 33877522 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13914-6/tables/2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Municipal solid waste (MSW) represents an inevitable by-product of human activity and a major crisis for communities across the globe. In recent times, the recycling of MSW has drawn attention as the process can add value through resources from the recovered waste materials and facilitates the process of circular economy. However, during the unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the risk of infection with the highly contagious virus has proven detrimental to the continuation of MSW as a valuable resource. The volume of waste, especially household waste, is higher; face masks, PPE (personal protective equipment), and hazardous materials such as batteries and empty chlorine bottles are examples of extra waste that have arisen during the pandemic. Various countries have set up initiatives for MSW management, including safety measurements for employees in the MSW management sector. The use of disinfectant prior to sorting waste, as well as storing waste for 9 days, may help to inactivate the COVID-19 virus, ensuring an appropriate safety level for MSW management. This work aimed at studying different MSW management strategies, specific challenges, and possible solutions for better understanding for those involved in waste management, in addition to providing a possible management strategy during and post-COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atanu Kumar Das
- Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-90183, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Md Nazrul Islam
- Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh
| | - Md Morsaline Billah
- Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh
| | - Asim Sarker
- Umeå International School of Public Health, Umeå University, SE-90187, Umeå, Sweden
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172
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Geraldi MS, Bavaresco MV, Triana MA, Melo AP, Lamberts R. Addressing the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on energy use in municipal buildings: A case study in Florianópolis, Brazil. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY 2021; 69:102823. [PMID: 33688463 PMCID: PMC7931682 DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2021.102823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has spread quickly to several countries following the initial outbreak of the disease. As a consequence, several measures have been taken to mitigate the virus spread worldwide. In the city of Florianópolis, in southern Brazil, a strict lockdown was implemented on 16 March 2020. Although commercial activities were allowed to resume 21 April, a complete lockdown of municipal public buildings (e.g., administrative buildings and schools) lasted up to 5 August 2020. Reports in the literature emphasize the influence of occupant presence and actions on energy use in buildings. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the electric energy use of municipal buildings in Florianópolis. A large database with monthly electric energy use data was provided by the City Hall and analyzed. Firstly, the consumer units were grouped into three categories: systems, services and buildings. This revealed that buildings were directly affected by the lockdown measures, but systems and services were not. Therefore, an in-depth evaluation of health centers, administrative buildings, elementary schools and nursery schools was conducted and mean electric energy reductions of 11.1 %, 38.6 %, 50.3 %, and 50.4 %, respectively, were observed. Although it may initially seem unexpected, municipal health centers had a small electric energy use reduction, because they were not directly responsible for COVID-19 treatment, as patients were forwarded to specific facilities. Walkthroughs and energy audits were performed in an administrative building, an elementary school, and a nursery school, to gain a deeper understanding of the consumption trends. It was observed that municipal buildings present a basal energy use intensity even when the buildings are unoccupied. Energy audits verified that stand-by loads and vital loads, such as lighting for safety and computer servers, play a key role in this share of energy use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Soares Geraldi
- Laboratory of Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Mateus V Bavaresco
- Laboratory of Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Maria Andrea Triana
- Laboratory of Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Melo
- Laboratory of Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Roberto Lamberts
- Laboratory of Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
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173
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Das AK, Islam MN, Billah MM, Sarker A. COVID-19 and municipal solid waste (MSW) management: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:28993-29008. [PMID: 33877522 PMCID: PMC8055481 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13914-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Municipal solid waste (MSW) represents an inevitable by-product of human activity and a major crisis for communities across the globe. In recent times, the recycling of MSW has drawn attention as the process can add value through resources from the recovered waste materials and facilitates the process of circular economy. However, during the unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the risk of infection with the highly contagious virus has proven detrimental to the continuation of MSW as a valuable resource. The volume of waste, especially household waste, is higher; face masks, PPE (personal protective equipment), and hazardous materials such as batteries and empty chlorine bottles are examples of extra waste that have arisen during the pandemic. Various countries have set up initiatives for MSW management, including safety measurements for employees in the MSW management sector. The use of disinfectant prior to sorting waste, as well as storing waste for 9 days, may help to inactivate the COVID-19 virus, ensuring an appropriate safety level for MSW management. This work aimed at studying different MSW management strategies, specific challenges, and possible solutions for better understanding for those involved in waste management, in addition to providing a possible management strategy during and post-COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atanu Kumar Das
- Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-90183, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Md Nazrul Islam
- Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh
| | - Md Morsaline Billah
- Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh
| | - Asim Sarker
- Umeå International School of Public Health, Umeå University, SE-90187, Umeå, Sweden
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174
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Costanzo M, De Giglio MAR, Roviello GN. Anti-Coronavirus Vaccines: Past Investigations on SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, the Approved Vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca and others under Development Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:4-18. [PMID: 34355678 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210521164809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this review article is to summarize the knowledge available to date on prophylaxis achievements to fight against Coronavirus. This work will give an overview of what is reported in the most recent literature on vaccines (under investigation or already developed like BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and ChAdOx1-S) effective against the most pathogenic Coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV-1, and SARS-CoV-2), with of course particular attention paid to those under development or already in use to combat the current COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 19) pandemic. Our main objective is to make a contribution to the comprehension, additionally at a molecular level, of what is currently ready for anti-SARS-CoV-2 prophylactic intervention, as well as to provide the reader with an overall picture of the most innovative approaches for the development of vaccines that could be of general utility in the fight against the most pathogenic Coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Costanzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via S. Pansini 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB - CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16; I-80134 Naples, Italy
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175
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Ludwig-Begall LF, Wielick C, Jolois O, Dams L, Razafimahefa RM, Nauwynck H, Demeuldre PF, Napp A, Laperre J, Thiry E, Haubruge E. "Don, doff, discard" to "don, doff, decontaminate"-FFR and mask integrity and inactivation of a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate and a norovirus following multiple vaporised hydrogen peroxide-, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation-, and dry heat decontaminations. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251872. [PMID: 34010337 PMCID: PMC8133425 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic accelerates, the supply of personal protective equipment remains under strain. To combat shortages, re-use of surgical masks and filtering facepiece respirators has been recommended. Prior decontamination is paramount to the re-use of these typically single-use only items and, without compromising their integrity, must guarantee inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and other contaminating pathogens. AIM We provide information on the effect of time-dependent passive decontamination (infectivity loss over time during room temperature storage in a breathable bag) and evaluate inactivation of a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate and a non-enveloped model virus as well as mask and respirator integrity following active multiple-cycle vaporised hydrogen peroxide (VHP), ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), and dry heat (DH) decontamination. METHODS Masks and respirators, inoculated with infectious porcine respiratory coronavirus or murine norovirus, were submitted to passive decontamination or single or multiple active decontamination cycles; viruses were recovered from sample materials and viral titres were measured via TCID50 assay. In parallel, filtration efficiency tests and breathability tests were performed according to EN standard 14683 and NIOSH regulations. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Infectious porcine respiratory coronavirus and murine norovirus remained detectable on masks and respirators up to five and seven days of passive decontamination. Single and multiple cycles of VHP-, UVGI-, and DH were shown to not adversely affect bacterial filtration efficiency of masks. Single- and multiple UVGI did not adversely affect respirator filtration efficiency, while VHP and DH induced a decrease in filtration efficiency after one or three decontamination cycles. Multiple cycles of VHP-, UVGI-, and DH slightly decreased airflow resistance of masks but did not adversely affect respirator breathability. VHP and UVGI efficiently inactivated both viruses after five, DH after three, decontamination cycles, permitting demonstration of a loss of infectivity by more than three orders of magnitude. This multi-disciplinal approach provides important information on how often a given PPE item may be safely reused.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa F. Ludwig-Begall
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
| | - Constance Wielick
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
| | - Olivier Jolois
- Centexbel Textile Research Centre, Grace-Hollogne, Belgium
| | - Lorène Dams
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
| | - Ravo M. Razafimahefa
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
| | - Hans Nauwynck
- Laboratory of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | | | - Aurore Napp
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, The University Hospital Center, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jan Laperre
- Centexbel Textile Research Centre, Grace-Hollogne, Belgium
| | - Etienne Thiry
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
| | - Eric Haubruge
- TERRA Research Centre, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Liège University, Gembloux, Belgium
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176
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Paul KD, Levitt E, McGwin G, Brabston EW, Gilbert SR, Ponce BA, Momaya AM. COVID-19 Impact on Orthopedic Surgeons: Elective Procedures, Telehealth, and Income. South Med J 2021; 114:311-316. [PMID: 33942117 DOI: 10.14423/smj.0000000000001249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the response in orthopedic surgery to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic across the United States by surveying surgeons about their care setting, timing of restrictions on elective surgery, use of telehealth, and estimated economic impact. METHODS A survey was distributed via REDCap through state orthopedic organizations between April and July 2020. The 22-question digital survey collected information regarding restrictions on elective procedures, location of care, utilization of telehealth, and estimated reductions in annual income. RESULTS In this study, 192 participants responded to the survey (average age 49.9 ± 11.0 years, 92.7% male). Responses primarily originated from Alabama (30.2%), Georgia (30.2%), and Missouri (16.1%). The remainder of the responses were grouped into the category "other." Respondents did not vary significantly by state in operative setting or income type (salary, work relative value units, or collections). Most of the participants documented elective procedure restrictions in hospital and ambulatory settings. The highest frequency of closures occurred between March 18 and 20 (47% in hospital, 51% in ambulatory). Of the participants, financial loss estimates varied across states (P = 0.005), with 50% of physicians claiming >50% losses of income in Alabama (24% Georgia, 10% Missouri, 31% other). Regarding telehealth, practices set up for these services before 2020 varied across states. None of the orthopedic practices in Alabama had telehealth before the COVID-19 pandemic (Missouri 25%, Georgia 9%, other 8%, P = 0.06); however, respondents generally were split when considering the anticipation of implementing telehealth into routine practice. CONCLUSIONS Most practices did implement restrictions for elective clinic visits and procedures early during the pandemic. COVID-19 ultimately will result in a large revenue loss for elective orthopedic practices. Services such as telehealth may help offset these losses and help deliver orthopedic care to patients remotely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle D Paul
- From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Eli Levitt
- From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Gerald McGwin
- From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Eugene W Brabston
- From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Shawn R Gilbert
- From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Brent A Ponce
- From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Amit M Momaya
- From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
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177
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Andreoni V. Estimating the European CO 2 emissions change due to COVID-19 restrictions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 769:145115. [PMID: 33477052 PMCID: PMC9754059 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The carbon dioxide variations generated by the socio-economic restrictions imposed by the management of the COVID-19 crisis are analysed in this paper for 23 European countries and 10 economic sectors. By considering the most up to date information on GDP and carbon intensity of production, this paper represents one of the first attempts to estimate the CO2 emissions change that have taken place in Europe during the first six months of 2020. Results show that more than 195,600 thousand tons of CO2 have been avoided between January and June 2020, compared to the same period of the previous year, representing a -12.1% emissions change. The largest reductions have taken place in the Manufacturing, Wholesale, Retail Trade, Transport, Accommodation and Food Service sectors, accounting for more than 93.7% of total CO2 change. Spain, Italy and France have been the most affected areas with -106,600 thousand tons emissions drop. In line with the results provided by previous studies, this paper highlights that the geographical and the sectoral distribution of the CO2 emissions change has been largely influenced by the magnitude of the COVID-19 impacts. In addition, the carbon intensity of production, characterizing the most affected economic activities, has been the main element of differentiation compared to the previous 2008 crisis. By providing preliminary estimation of the CO2 emissions change that have taken place across geographical and sectoral activities, this paper contributes to the existing climate policy debate and can support future estimation of CO2 variations both in a context of confinement release as well as in a context of reintroduced COVID-19 restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Andreoni
- University of Liverpool, Management School, Chatham Street, Liverpool L69 7ZH, UK.
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Kang A, Ren L, Hua C, Song H, Dong M, Fang Z, Zhu M. Environmental management strategy in response to COVID-19 in China: Based on text mining of government open information. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 769:145158. [PMID: 33485207 PMCID: PMC7837070 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic and a major health emergency. In the process of fighting against COVID-19, the China Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) responded quickly and set up a working group as soon as possible. This article uses text mining to retrospectively analyze the government's public information on the website of MEE during the epidemic, sort out the timeline of MEE's response to COVID-19. We find that MEE's work during the COVID-19 pandemic is focused on medical waste and wastewater treatment, environment emergency monitoring, pollution prevention, and other environmental management for supporting economic recovery. It drafted three main medical waste management plans, an emergency environmental monitoring plan, and formulated "two lists" - a Positive checklist for Environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval and a positive checklist for supervision and enforcement, to promote the resumption of work and production. 2020 is the final year of China's "three years of fighting pollution prevention and control". In the case of the sudden COVID-19 epidemic, the Chinese environment department has ensured that the quality of the ecological environment has not been affected by the epidemic prevention and control while ensuring the smooth progress of the fight against pollution. China's medical waste disposal capacity has also been greatly improved during this epidemic. The review of China's environmental management strategy in response to COVID-19 can provide a reference for countries in the world that are still in the critical period of epidemic control; it can provide action guidelines for the ecological environment system to respond to sudden pandemic events in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailin Kang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Lijun Ren
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China.
| | - Chunyu Hua
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Hui Song
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Miaoxin Dong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Zhaotong Fang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Mengyuan Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
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179
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Ranjbari M, Shams Esfandabadi Z, Zanetti MC, Scagnelli SD, Siebers PO, Aghbashlo M, Peng W, Quatraro F, Tabatabaei M. Three pillars of sustainability in the wake of COVID-19: A systematic review and future research agenda for sustainable development. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION 2021; 297:126660. [PMID: 34785869 PMCID: PMC8580193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has immensely impacted the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainability in human lives. Due to the scholars' increasing interest in responding to the urgent call for action against the pandemic, the literature of sustainability research considering COVID-19 consequences is very fragmented. Therefore, a comprehensive review of the COVID-19 implications for sustainability practices is still lacking. This research aims to analyze the effects of COVID-19 on the triple bottom line (TBL) of sustainability to support the future sustainable development agenda. To achieve that, the following research questions are addressed by conducting a systematic literature review: (i) what is the current status of research on the TBL of sustainability considering COVID-19 implications? (ii) how does COVID-19 affect the TBL of sustainability? and (iii) what are the potential research gaps and future research avenues for sustainable development post COVID-19? The results manifest the major implications of the COVID-19 outbreak for the triple sustainability pillars and the sustainable development agenda from the economic, social, and environmental points of view. The key findings provide inclusive insights for governments, authorities, practitioners, and policy-makers to alleviate the pandemic's negative impacts on sustainable development and to realize the sustainability transition opportunities post COVID-19. Finally, five research directions for sustainable development corresponding to the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs) post COVID-19 are provided, as follows: (1) sustainability action plan considering COVID-19 implications: refining sustainability goals and targets and developing measurement framework; (2) making the most of sustainability transition opportunities in the wake of COVID-19: focus on SDG 12 and SDG 9; (3) innovative solutions for economic resilience towards sustainability post COVID-19: focus on SDG 1, SDG 8, and SDG 17; (4) in-depth analysis of the COVID-19 long-term effects on social sustainability: focus on SDG 4, SDG 5, and SDG 10; and (5) expanding quantitative research to harmonize the COVID-19-related sustainability research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meisam Ranjbari
- Henan Province Forest Resources Sustainable Development and High-value Utilization Engineering Research Center, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
- Department of Economics and Statistics "Cognetti de Martiis", University of Turin, Lungo Dora Siena 100 A, 10153, Torino, Italy
| | - Zahra Shams Esfandabadi
- Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering (DIATI), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
- Energy Center Lab, Politecnico di Torino, Via Paolo Borsellino 38/16, 10138, Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Zanetti
- Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering (DIATI), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Peer-Olaf Siebers
- School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, NG8 1BB, Nottingham, UK
| | - Mortaza Aghbashlo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering of Agricultural Machinery, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Wanxi Peng
- Henan Province Forest Resources Sustainable Development and High-value Utilization Engineering Research Center, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Francesco Quatraro
- Department of Economics and Statistics "Cognetti de Martiis", University of Turin, Lungo Dora Siena 100 A, 10153, Torino, Italy
- BRICK, Collegio Carlo Alberto, Piazza Arbarello 8, 10123, Torino, Italy
| | - Meisam Tabatabaei
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
- Henan Province Forest Resources Sustainable Development and High-value Utilization Engineering Research Center, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
- Biofuel Research Team (BRTeam), Terengganu, Malaysia
- Microbial Biotechnology Department, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
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180
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Ng V, Fazil A, Waddell LA, Turgeon P, Otten A, Ogden NH. Modelling the impact of shutdowns on resurging SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Canada. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210233. [PMID: 34123390 PMCID: PMC8190545 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shutdowns are enacted when alternative public health measures are insufficient to control the epidemic and the population is largely susceptible. An age-stratified agent-based model was developed to explore the impact of shutdowns to control SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Canada under the assumption that current efforts to control the epidemic remains insufficient and in the absence of a vaccine. METHODS We estimated the current levels of interventions in Canada to generate a baseline scenario from 7 February to 7 September 2020. Four aspects of shutdowns were explored in scenarios that ran from 8 September 2020 to 7 January 2022, these included the impact of how quickly shutdowns are implemented, the duration of shutdowns, the minimum break (delays) between shutdowns and the types of sectors to shutdown. Comparisons among scenarios were made using cases, hospitalizations, deaths and shutdown days during the 700-day model runs. RESULTS We found a negative relationship between reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission and the number of shutdown days. However, we also found that for shutdowns to be optimally effective, they need to be implemented fast with minimal delay, initiated when community transmission is low, sustained for an adequate period and be stringent and target multiple sectors, particularly those driving transmission. By applying shutdowns in this manner, the total number of shutdown days could be reduced compared to delaying the shutdowns until further into the epidemic when transmission is higher and/or implementing short insufficient shutdowns that would require frequent re-implementation. This paper contrasts a range of shutdown strategies and trade-offs between health outcomes and economic metrics that need to be considered within the local context. INTERPRETATION Given the immense socioeconomic impact of shutdowns, they should be avoided where possible and used only when other public health measures are insufficient to control the epidemic. If used, the time it buys to delay the epidemic should be used to enhance other equally effective, but less disruptive, public health measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Ng
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario and St Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Aamir Fazil
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario and St Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lisa A. Waddell
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario and St Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Patricia Turgeon
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario and St Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ainsley Otten
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario and St Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nicholas H. Ogden
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario and St Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
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181
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Mitigating the Impacts of COVID-19 on Global Child Health: a Call to Action. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2021; 8:183-189. [PMID: 33996382 PMCID: PMC8112470 DOI: 10.1007/s40475-021-00241-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), continues to affect individuals, communities, and health systems worldwide. Here, we highlight how COVID-19 threatens to jeopardize the tremendous gains made over the last few decades on improving children’s health globally. Recent Findings In contrast to adults, children with COVID-19 are less likely to develop severe disease requiring hospitalization or die as a direct result of infection. However, the pandemic will likely have other important health impacts disproportionately affecting vulnerable children globally. Possible effects include worsening of poverty and food insecurity; disruption of already strained routine child health services; damage to already imperiled healthcare workforces; a wave of mental health challenges; interruption of education; and increased risks of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. These challenges notwithstanding, the response to COVID-19 may also provide opportunities, such as for health system strengthening, that could improve child health after the pandemic. Summary The negative impacts of COVID-19 on global child health may be substantial. However, these are not foregone conclusions and much can be done to mitigate the worst outcomes. Child health providers should advocate for an equitable response to COVID-19 that prioritizes the health of vulnerable children and furthers the gains made in global child health.
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182
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Abu Hatab A, Krautscheid L, Boqvist S. COVID-19, Livestock Systems and Food Security in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review of an Emerging Literature. Pathogens 2021; 10:586. [PMID: 34064749 PMCID: PMC8151861 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we carried out a systematic literature review to document the emerging scientific knowledge about COVID-19 impact on livestock systems and food security in developing countries to identify gaps and possible avenues for future research undertakings. Specifically, we systematically reviewed 68 peer-reviewed articles extracted based on rigorous selection criteria from Scopus, PubMed and ISI Web of Science databases and published between December 2019 and February 2021. Our results reveal that livestock supply chains presented an important 'intermediary' pathway through which the pandemic affected various dimensions of food security in developing countries. Although the research response has been rapid in terms of both quantity and temporal succession, we find a highly suggestive disjunction in studies analyzing the interconnections between COVID-19 pandemic, livestock systems and food security in developing countries. With respect to the livestock supply chain, the bulk of the reviewed evidence focuses on production and consumption, whereas considerably less focus is given to the pandemic's impact on intermediaries within livestock chains, including traders, intermediaries and processors. The analysis of livestock supply chain resilience revolves predominantly around the 'absorbance' and 'recovery' phases of resilience, whereas only a small subset of the literature investigates actions taken by supply chain actors to 'plan' or to 'adapt' livestock systems in order to reduce their vulnerability and enhance their overall resilience. Furthermore, food security has often been narrowly defined, with the majority of articles focusing on 'availability' and 'accessibility' to food due to the pandemic, and other dimensions of food security, including utilization, stability and sustainability, have been widely neglected. Based on our findings, we recommend future research to examine the dynamics of propagation of COVID-19 impact through livestock supply chains in order to develop more targeted interventions that enhance the capacity of developing countries to cope with this and future disruptions and mitigate their food insecurity outcomes. To this end, more holistic, integrated and resilience-based approaches are much recommended to recognize the complex nature of livestock systems in developing countries and to address the multifaceted and widespread effects of COVID-19 on food security channeled through livestock chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assem Abu Hatab
- Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Department of Economics & Rural Development, Arish University, 455 11 Arish, Egypt
| | - Lena Krautscheid
- Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Sofia Boqvist
- Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden;
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183
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Wang Q, Zhang F. What does the China's economic recovery after COVID-19 pandemic mean for the economic growth and energy consumption of other countries? JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION 2021; 295:126265. [PMID: 33589853 PMCID: PMC7874931 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
China is the first major economy to show a recovery after a slowdown induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. This work aims to explore what the China's economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic means for the economic growth and energy consumption of the other countries using the global VAR quarterly data. In the long term, spillover effects of China's economic growth have the most obvious impact on upper-middle-income countries' economic growth (0.17%), followed by the economic growth of lower-middle-income countries (0.16%) and high-income countries (0.15%). However, the spillover effect of China's economic growth has the most significant impact on energy consumption in high-income countries (0.11%-0.45%), followed by energy consumption in upper-middle-income countries (0.08%-0.33%) and in lower-middle-income countries (-0.02%-0.05%). Our results indicate upper-middle-income countries will benefit the most from China's economic recovery post-COVID-19, followed by lower-middle-income countries and high-income countries. The spillover effect of China's economic recovery post-COVID-19 brings the most obvious impact on the increase in energy consumption in high-income countries, followed by middle-income countries. It also should be noted that the spillover effect of China's economic growth does not necessarily lead to an increase in energy consumption lower-middle-income countries. Generally, the spillover effect of China's economic recovery on other countries' economic growth is much more than other countries' energy consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wang
- School of Economics and Management, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, 266580, PR China
- Institute for Energy Economics and Policy, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, 266580, PR China
| | - Fuyu Zhang
- School of Economics and Management, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, 266580, PR China
- Institute for Energy Economics and Policy, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, 266580, PR China
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184
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Chowdhury P, Paul SK, Kaisar S, Moktadir MA. COVID-19 pandemic related supply chain studies: A systematic review. TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH. PART E, LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION REVIEW 2021; 148:102271. [PMID: 33613082 PMCID: PMC7881707 DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2021.102271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The global spread of the novel coronavirus, also known as the COVID-19 pandemic, has had a devastating impact on supply chains. Since the pandemic started, scholars have been researching and publishing their studies on the various supply-chain-related issues raised by COVID-19. However, while the number of articles on this subject has been steadily increasing, due to the absence of any systematic literature reviews, it remains unclear what aspects of this disruption have already been studied and what aspects still need to be investigated. The present study systematically reviews existing research on the COVID-19 pandemic in supply chain disciplines. Through a rigorous and systematic search, we identify 74 relevant articles published on or before 28 September 2020. The synthesis of the findings reveals that four broad themes recur in the published work: namely, impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, resilience strategies for managing impacts and recovery, the role of technology in implementing resilience strategies, and supply chain sustainability in the light of the pandemic. Alongside the synthesis of the findings, this study describes the methodologies, context, and theories used in each piece of research. Our analysis reveals that there is a lack of empirically designed and theoretically grounded studies in this area; hence, the generalizability of the findings, thus far, is limited. Moreover, the analysis reveals that most studies have focused on supply chains for high-demand essential goods and healthcare products, while low-demand items and SMEs have been largely ignored. We also review the literature on prior epidemic outbreaks and other disruptions in supply chain disciplines. By considering the findings of these articles alongside research on the COVID-19 pandemic, this study offers research questions and directions for further investigation. These directions can guide scholars in designing and conducting impactful research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyabrata Chowdhury
- School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sanjoy Kumar Paul
- UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shahriar Kaisar
- School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Md Abdul Moktadir
- Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1209, Bangladesh
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185
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Molecular Basis of the Therapeutical Potential of Clove ( Syzygium aromaticum L.) and Clues to Its Anti-COVID-19 Utility. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26071880. [PMID: 33810416 PMCID: PMC8036487 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26071880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The current COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection is enormously affecting the worldwide health and economy. In the wait for an effective global immunization, the development of a specific therapeutic protocol to treat COVID-19 patients is clearly necessary as a short-term solution of the problem. Drug repurposing and herbal medicine represent two of the most explored strategies for an anti-COVID-19 drug discovery. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) is a well-known culinary spice that has been used for centuries in folk medicine in many disorders. Interestingly, traditional medicines have used clove since ancient times to treat respiratory ailments, whilst clove ingredients show antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Other interesting features are the clove antithrombotic, immunostimulatory, and antibacterial effects. Thus, in this review, we discuss the potential role of clove in the frame of anti-COVID-19 therapy, focusing on the antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic effects of clove and its molecular constituents described in the scientific literature.
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186
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Ye Q, Zhang T, Lu D. Potential false-positive reasons for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing and its solution. J Med Virol 2021; 93:4242-4246. [PMID: 33710634 PMCID: PMC8250967 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought a huge impact on global health and the economy. Early diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is essential for epidemic prevention and control. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is an important criterion for diagnosing COVID-19. However, SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing also has certain false positives causing confusion in clinical diagnosis. This article summarizes the causes of false-positive detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in clinical practice. The results indicate that the most common endogenous interferences include rheumatoid factor, heterophile antibodies, human anti-animal antibodies, lysozyme, complement, and cross-antigens. The exogenous interference is mainly incomplete coagulation of the specimen, contamination of the specimen, and insufficient optimization of the diagnostic kit's reaction system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Ye
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Laboratory Medicine Department, College of Medical Technology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dezhao Lu
- Laboratory Medicine Department, College of Medical Technology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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187
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Wong LP, Alias H, Md Fuzi AA, Omar IS, Mohamad Nor A, Tan MP, Baranovich DL, Saari CZ, Hamzah SH, Cheong KW, Poon CH, Ramoo V, Che CC, Myint K, Zainuddin S, Chung I. Escalating progression of mental health disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from a nationwide survey. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248916. [PMID: 33765039 PMCID: PMC7993793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the first nationwide movement control order was implemented on 18 March 2020 in Malaysia to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, to what extent the uncertainty and continuous containment measures have imposed psychological burdens on the population is unknown. This study aimed to measure the level of mental health of the Malaysian public approximately 2 months after the pandemic's onset. Between 12 May and 5 September 2020, an anonymous online survey was conducted. The target group included all members of the Malaysian population aged 18 years and above. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess mental health. There were increased depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms throughout the study period, with the depression rates showing the greatest increase. During the end of the data collection period (4 August-5 September 2020), there were high percentages of reported depressive (59.2%) and anxiety (55.1%) symptoms compared with stress (30.6%) symptoms. Perceived health status was the strongest significant predictor for depressive and anxiety symptoms. Individuals with a poorer health perception had higher odds of developing depression (odds ratio [OR] = 5.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.81-8.47) and anxiety (OR = 3.50; 95%CI 2.37-5.17) compared with those with a higher health perception. By demographics, young people-particularly students, females and people with poor financial conditions-were more vulnerable to mental health symptoms. These findings provide an urgent call for increased attention to detect and provide intervention strategies to combat the increasing rate of mental health problems in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ping Wong
- Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Haridah Alias
- Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Afiqah Alyaa Md Fuzi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Intan Sofia Omar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Azmawaty Mohamad Nor
- Department of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Maw Pin Tan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Diana Lea Baranovich
- Department of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Che Zarrina Saari
- Department of Akidah and Islamic Thought, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sareena Hanim Hamzah
- Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ku Wing Cheong
- Department of Music, Cultural Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chiew Hwa Poon
- Department of Music, Cultural Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Vimala Ramoo
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chong Chin Che
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kyaimon Myint
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Suria Zainuddin
- Department of Accountancy, Faculty of Business and Accountancy, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ivy Chung
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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188
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Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Maritime Connectivity? An Estimation for China and the Polar Silk Road Countries. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13063521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In light of about 80% of international freight traffic carried by sea, maritime supply chains’ stability is pivotal to global connectivity. For over a year now, the transboundary mobility of vessels and cargoes has been restricted by diverse forms of the COVID-19 containment measures applied by national governments, while the lockdowns of people, businesses, and economic activities have significantly affected the growth prospects of various maritime connectivity initiatives. This study investigates how the pandemic-related public health, trade, and market factors have shifted the connectivity patterns in the Polar Silk Road (PSR) transport corridor between China, South Korea, Japan, Russia, and four economies of Northern Europe. The causality links between the Shipping Connectivity Index (SCI) and the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, trade volumes with China and the rest of the world, and price indexes of minerals, fuels, food, and agricultural products are revealed separately for eight countries and thirty-five ports. The study algorithm is built on the consecutive application of the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and the Phillips-Perron (PP) stationarity tests, the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method, the Fully-Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) robustness checks, and the Toda-Yamamoto causality test. Tight trade-connectivity links are recorded in all locations along the China-PSR transport corridor in 2015–2019, but in 2020, the relationships weakened. Bidirectional influences between the number of COVID-19 cases and connectivity parameters demonstrate the maritime sector’s sensitivity to safety regulations and bring into focus the role of cargo shipping in the transboundary spread of the virus. The authors’ four-stage approach contributes to the establishment of a methodology framework that may equip stakeholders with insights about potential risks to maritime connectivity in the China-PSR maritime trade in the course of the pandemic.
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189
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Shulla K, Voigt BF, Cibian S, Scandone G, Martinez E, Nelkovski F, Salehi P. Effects of COVID-19 on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). DISCOVER SUSTAINABILITY 2021; 2:15. [PMID: 35425922 PMCID: PMC7967781 DOI: 10.1007/s43621-021-00026-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Global crises caused by the pandemic of COVID-19, since early 2020, can compromise the world commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This study discusses critical aspects of the global pandemic for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More precisely, we analyze how the new circumstances created by the pandemic have affected the interdependencies between SDGs. Following a synopsis of the current literature, we focus on effects regarding SDG3 (Health & Well-Being), SDG4 (Quality Education), SDG8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), SDG12 (Consumption & Production) and SDG13 (Climate Action). Following a qualitative research approach, we based our analysis on moderated focus group discussions (FGD). Our observations reveal a unique pattern of interconnectedness between SDGs that can be related to COVID-19 consequences. Qualitative interpretations of focus group discussions also depict, that additional spillover effects can be obstacles for achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 9 (Infrastructure & Innovation) and SDG 10 (Reducing Inequalities), SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals), SDG 11 (sustainable cities). Therefore, we consider the interdependent implications and recent trends in international development related to sustainability as a useful framework in the post-pandemic recovery period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalterina Shulla
- ZEF-Center for Development Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bernd-Friedrich Voigt
- Institute for Personnel and Organizational Research (Ipo), FOM–University of Applied Sciences, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Cibian
- Center on Global Affairs and Postdevelopment (C-GAP), Făgăraș Research Institute (FRI), Făgăraș, Romania
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190
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Is the Alternative Energy Sector COVID-19 Resistant? Comparison with the Conventional Energy Sector: Markov-Switching Model Analysis of Stock Market Indices of Energy Companies. ENERGIES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/en14040988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak and rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the global financial markets, including the energy sector. Alternative energy belongs to the economy’s key sectors concerning environmental issues and seems to be a full-fledged alternative for fossil-based conventional energy. This paper aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the stock market indices related to the alternative and conventional energy sector. We use daily data on the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Global Alternative Energy Index, the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) Energy Index, and self-developed Average-49 COVID-19 New Cases Index and Average-49 Stringency Index. The research covers the period January–October 2020. The average level of the MSCI Global Alternative Energy Index in COVID-19 year was more than a quarter higher than in 2019 while the MSCI ACWI Energy fell almost one-third in the same period. Based on the Markov-switching model, we show that both the MSCI Global Alternative Energy and the MSCI ACWI Energy are not significantly affected by the epidemic status. The analysed indices decline as the government anti-COVID-19 policy becomes more stringent, but the relationship is statistically significant only in the high-volatility regime. In comparison to the conventional energy index, we reveal that the alternative energy index stays most of its time in the low-volatility regime without being adversely and significantly affected by the COVID-19 related indicators. Our study shows that the alternative energy sector, represented by the MSCI Global Alternative Energy Index, seems to be more resistant to COVID-19 than the conventional energy sector. It might imply that the novel coronavirus pandemic has not depreciated but emphasised the growing concern about climate change and environmental pollution.
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191
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Borbone N, Piccialli G, Roviello GN, Oliviero G. Nucleoside Analogs and Nucleoside Precursors as Drugs in the Fight against SARS-CoV-2 and Other Coronaviruses. Molecules 2021; 26:986. [PMID: 33668428 PMCID: PMC7918729 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26040986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are positive-sense RNA enveloped viruses, members of the family Coronaviridae, that cause infections in a broad range of mammals including humans. Several CoV species lead to mild upper respiratory infections typically associated with common colds. However, three human CoV (HCoV) species: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-CoV-1, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, are responsible for severe respiratory diseases at the origin of two recent epidemics (SARS and MERS), and of the current COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19), respectively. The easily transmissible SARS-CoV-2, emerging at the end of 2019 in China, spread rapidly worldwide, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare COVID-19 a pandemic. While the world waits for mass vaccination, there is an urgent need for effective drugs as short-term weapons to combat the SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this context, the drug repurposing approach is a strategy able to guarantee positive results rapidly. In this regard, it is well known that several nucleoside-mimicking analogs and nucleoside precursors may inhibit the growth of viruses providing effective therapies for several viral diseases, including HCoV infections. Therefore, this review will focus on synthetic nucleosides and nucleoside precursors active against different HCoV species, paying great attention to SARS-CoV-2. This work covers progress made in anti-CoV therapy with nucleoside derivatives and provides insight into their main mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Borbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.B.); (G.P.)
| | - Gennaro Piccialli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.B.); (G.P.)
| | | | - Giorgia Oliviero
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;
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192
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Kumar Agrawal A, Arora PK, Nafees M, Akhtar Khan S, Kumar H. Assessment of Health Infrastructure in Tackling COVID-19: A Case Study of European and American Scenario. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 47:3716-3719. [PMID: 33614415 PMCID: PMC7879103 DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.01.916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is an unparalleled threat intoday's quickly developing climate, and we face it as a global community. Like climate change, it is challenging our resilience from environmental health, social security, and government, to knowledge exchange and economic policy in all sectors of the economy and all fields of growth. So much as climate change, everybody's coming together would require the initiative. Throughout Europe and America, several organizations have mobilized to ensure that the neediest are not left behind, encouraging emergencies and disruptions avoidance and preparedness. The coronavirus outbreak has highlighted the growing community's strengths and vulnerabilities that it has influenced, and has provided us with the ability to benefit from each other's accomplishments and shortcomings. The comparison graph has also been shown in this paper displaying European and American scenarios. The globe might feel smaller amid disaster states and global travel bans, but it is a period when teamwork and looking outward were never more relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P K Arora
- Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201306, India
| | - Musarrat Nafees
- Z.V.M. Unani Medical College & Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, 411001, India
| | - Shahroz Akhtar Khan
- Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201306, India
| | - Harish Kumar
- National Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi, 110 040, India
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193
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Anser MK, Khan MA, Zaman K, Nassani AA, Askar SE, Abro MMQ, Kabbani A. Financial development during COVID-19 pandemic: the role of coronavirus testing and functional labs. FINANCIAL INNOVATION 2021; 7:9. [PMID: 35024271 PMCID: PMC7845578 DOI: 10.1186/s40854-021-00226-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in early 2020, known as COVID-19, spread to more than 200 countries and negatively affected the global economic output. Financial activities were primarily depressed, and investors were reluctant to start new financial investments while ongoing projects further declined due to the global lockdown to curb the disease. This study analyzes the money supply reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic using a cross-sectional panel of 115 countries. The study used robust least square regression and innovation accounting techniques to get sound parameter estimates. The results show that COVID-19 infected cases are the main contributing factor that obstructs financial activities and decrease money supply. In contrast, an increasing number of recovered cases and COVID-19 testing capabilities gave investors confidence to increase stock trade across countries. The overall forecast trend shows that COVID-19 infected cases and recovered cases followed the U-shaped trend, while COVID-19 critical cases and reported deaths showed a decreasing trend. Finally, the money supply and testing capacity show a positive trend over a period. The study concludes that financial development can be expanded by increasing the testing capacity and functional labs to identify suspected coronavirus cases globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Khalid Anser
- School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an, 710000 China
| | - Muhammad Azhar Khan
- Department of Economics, University of Haripur, Haripur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Khalid Zaman
- Department of Economics, University of Haripur, Haripur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Abdelmohsen A. Nassani
- Department of Management, College of Business Administration, King Saud University, P.O. Box 71115, Riyadh, 11587 Saudi Arabia
| | - Sameh E. Askar
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 11451, Riyadh, 11587 Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Moinuddin Qazi Abro
- Department of Management, College of Business Administration, King Saud University, P.O. Box 71115, Riyadh, 11587 Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Kabbani
- Department of Management, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria
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194
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Jiang P, Klemeš JJ, Fan YV, Fu X, Bee YM. More Is Not Enough: A Deeper Understanding of the COVID-19 Impacts on Healthcare, Energy and Environment Is Crucial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:E684. [PMID: 33466940 PMCID: PMC7830940 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has magnified the insufficient readiness of humans in dealing with such an unexpected occurrence. During the pandemic, sustainable development goals have been hindered severely. Various observations and lessons have been highlighted to emphasise local impacts on a single region or single sector, whilst the holistic and coupling impacts are rarely investigated. This study overviews the structural changes and spatial heterogeneities of changes in healthcare, energy and environment, and offers perspectives for the in-depth understanding of the COVID-19 impacts on the three sectors, in particular the cross-sections of them. Practical observations are summarised through the broad overview. A novel concept of the healthcare-energy-environment nexus under climate change constraints is proposed and discussed, to illustrate the relationships amongst the three sectors and further analyse the dynamics of the attention to healthcare, energy and environment in view of decision-makers. The society is still on the way to understanding the impacts of the whole episode of COVID-19 on healthcare, energy, environment and beyond. The raised nexus thinking could contribute to understanding the complicated COVID-19 impacts and guiding sustainable future planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Jiang
- Department of Systems Science, Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138632, Singapore; (P.J.); (X.F.)
| | - Jiří Jaromír Klemeš
- Sustainable Process Integration Laboratory—SPIL, NETME Centre, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology—VUT Brno, Technická 2896/2, 616 69 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Yee Van Fan
- Sustainable Process Integration Laboratory—SPIL, NETME Centre, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology—VUT Brno, Technická 2896/2, 616 69 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Xiuju Fu
- Department of Systems Science, Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138632, Singapore; (P.J.); (X.F.)
| | - Yong Mong Bee
- Department of Endocrinology, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Singapore 169608, Singapore;
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195
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Extended Producer Responsibility in the Australian Construction Industry. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13020620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
With the COVID-19 outbreak across the world, policymakers and authorities have realised that they cannot solve the emerging issues using conventional policies and practices. COVID-19 has severely affected many industries, including construction and demolition (C&D) waste management and C&D waste resource recovery sector. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and schemes alike are policy instruments that prevent waste generation and promote a circular economy in the construction industry. These schemes are long adopted in various countries for different waste streams. EPR policy development and implementation, particularly for C&D waste, is still at an early stage in Australia. This study aims to review the Australian regulatory environment and practice to identify barriers and enablers towards successful policy development and implementation of C&D waste-related EPR. This study is based on secondary data that are publicly available. The document analysis was conducted to identify the level of regulatory and other stakeholders support in Australia. Following three rounds of examination of sources and applying multiple selection criteria, 59 different sources were reviewed in total. The results showed that there is widespread support among different stakeholders to develop EPR and expand the existing regulation to other materials. The barriers were cost and time implications for EPR policy establishment and enforcement, diversity of stakeholders involved, construction product lifecycle, responsibility of manufacturers, complexity in implantation of EPR regulations, modification inbuilt facilities and health and safety issues. Recommendations are made to alleviate these challenges. The outcome of this study could serve as a guideline for designing effective EPR policies.
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196
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Rasul G, Nepal AK, Hussain A, Maharjan A, Joshi S, Lama A, Gurung P, Ahmad F, Mishra A, Sharma E. Socio-Economic Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic in South Asia: Emerging Risks and Growing Challenges. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2021; 6:629693. [PMID: 33869579 PMCID: PMC8022444 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2021.629693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The dramatic spread of COVID-19 has threatened human lives, disrupted livelihoods, and affected trade, economy and businesses across the globe. The global economy has begun to show major disruptions and is heading toward a severe recession with an unprecedented economic crisis. As the global economy is highly integrated and interdependent through the global supply chains, it has been profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although all countries have faced difficulties due to Covid-19, South Asian countries in particular have had to deal with a more challenging situation due to their large population, weak health facilities, high poverty rates, low socio-economic conditions, poor social protection systems, limited access to water and sanitation, and inadequate living space, necessary to maintain physical distancing and take other required measures to contain this pandemic. To contain the spread of the virus, South Asian countries have imposed stringent lockdowns, which have consequently affected the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the region, where a third of world's poor live. Against this backdrop, this paper examines the existing and prospective impacts, risks and challenges of Covid-19 on key social and economic sectors including migration, tourism, informal sector, agriculture and rural livelihoods. The analysis revealed that COVID-19 is likely to affect economic growth, increase fiscal deficit and monetary burden, increase the risks of macroeconomic instability, decrease migration and remittance, reduce income from travel and tourism, and result in dwindling micro-small and medium industries and informal businesses. This is likely to deepen poverty and increase unemployment and the risks of hunger and food insecurity. If not addressed properly, this may reinforce existing inequalities, break social harmony, and increase tension and turbulence. The economic and social costs of the COVID-19 outbreak are therefore likely to be significant and long-lasting in South Asia.
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197
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Gorrasi G, Sorrentino A, Lichtfouse E. Back to plastic pollution in COVID times. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS 2021; 19:1-4. [PMID: 33192208 PMCID: PMC7648663 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-020-01129-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Gorrasi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA Italy
| | - Andrea Sorrentino
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via Previati 1/C, 23900 Lecco, Italy
| | - Eric Lichtfouse
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, 13100 Aix en Provence, France
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 China
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198
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How (Un)sustainable Environments Are Related to the Diffusion of COVID-19: The Relation between Coronavirus Disease 2019, Air Pollution, Wind Resource and Energy. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12229709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The pandemic caused by novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is generating a high number of cases and deaths, with negative effects on public health and economic systems. One of the current questions in the contemporary environmental and sustainability debate is how high air pollution and reduced use of renewable energy can affect the diffusion of COVID-19. This study endeavors to explain the relation between days of air pollution, wind resources and energy, and the diffusion of COVID-19 to provide insights into sustainable policy to prevent future epidemics. The statistical analysis here focuses on a case study of Italy, one of the first countries to experience a rapid increase in confirmed cases and deaths. The results reveal two main findings: (1) cities with high wind speed and high wind energy production have a lower number of cases of COVID-19 in the context of a more sustainable environment; (2) cities located in hinterland zones with high air pollution, low wind speed and less wind energy production have a greater number of cases and total deaths. The results presented here suggest that the pandemic caused by novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and future epidemics similar to COVID-19 cannot be solved only with research in medicine but the solution also needs advanced capabilities and technologies for supporting sustainable development based on the reduction of air pollution and increase of production in renewable energy to improve air quality and as a consequence public health.
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199
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Atmospheric Emission Changes and Their Economic Impacts during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Argentina. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12208661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This work studied the emission changes and their economic effects during the Argentina’s COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. We have analyzed the atmospheric emissions of the main greenhouse gases (GHG: CO2, CH4, and N2O) and other pollutants (NOx, CO, NMVOC, SO2, PM10, PM2.5, and BC) from various sectors such as private road transport, freight, public transport, agriculture machines, thermal power plants, residential, commercial, and governmental from January 2005 to April 2020. We focused on the months with the greatest restrictions of COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina (March and April 2020). The results show emissions reduction up to 37% for PM10, PM2.5, and BC, consistent with observed from satellite images and up to 160% for NOx, CO, NMVOC, and SOx. However, the residential sector has increased their emissions by 8% for the same period. As a consequence, 3337 Gg of CO2eq of GHG emissions were reduced, corresponding to a 20% reduction compared to the same period in 2019. Besides, a 26% reduction in gross domestic product (GDP) was observed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results show that each Tg of GHG reduction was associated to a 0.16% reduction of the GDP from the analyzed sectors. Thus, without a voluntary reduction in consumption associated to significant cultural and technological changes, reduction in GHG would still be associated with deepening inequalities and asymmetries between high and low consumption sectors (i.e., with better (lesser) education, health, and job opportunities), even within countries and cities.
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