Ethical Criteria for the Admission and Management of Patients in the ICU Under Conditions of Limited Medical Resources: A Shared International Proposal in View of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Intensive care unit, Disaster Medicine, Common Good, COVID-19, ethical triage criteria
Mario Picozzi, Marco Pandolfi, Massimo Ciccozzi, Carlo Petrini, Giampaolo Ghilardi, Antonio Abbate, Vittoradolfo Tambone, Alfredo Marcos, Roberto Cauda, Evandro Agazzi, Rossana Alloni, Magdalena Lindén, Thierry Pelaccia, Josepmaria Argemi, Robert Rohrbaugh, Andrea Onetti Muda, Karen Sanders, Anna De Benedictis, Giovanna Ricci, Donald Boudreau, Laura Leondina Campanozzi, Mark Mercurio, Antonio Gioacchino Spagnolo, Jane Wathuta, Luciano Violante, Josep Argemí Renom, France Galerneau, Emilio García-Sánchez, Janet Palmer Hafler, Ruben Oscar Revello, Patrizio Rossi, Ascanio Sirignano, Trevor Stammers, Lourdes Velázquez
Risk Overgeneralization in Times of a Contagious Disease Threat
Risk perception, xenophobia, Feelings, disease threat, COVID-19, policy preference
People’s assessment of risks is swayed by their current feelings. COVID-19 invokes powerful feelings because it is (i) a salient, enormous threat, (ii) unfamiliar, and (iii) intertwined with xenophobia. These three factors are known to exert predictable influence on people’s risk overgeneralization, policy preference, and sociopolitical attitudes. We provide a succinct, illustrative review of empirical work on these dynamics in times of a disease outbreak (e.g., the 2009 H1N1 swine flu, the 2014 Ebola). Theoretical and applied implications for the present COVID-19 pandemic include the value of salience in motivating public opinion change, the importance of reducing unfamiliarity for curbing risk-averse tendencies, and the need for policies that guard against xenophobia-driven racism in collaborative efforts.
Norbert Schwarz, Julie Y Huang, Spike W. S. Lee
Directions for Reforming the Simplified Taxation System in Ukraine
small business, legal entity, self-employed person, single tax, small business entities, simplified system of taxation, accounting and reporting
The article considers the specifics and features of the application of a simplified tax system in Ukraine and the directions for its reforming in accordance with the modern conditions of the small business development. The pros and cons of the simplified system in today’s environment are considered. Four groups of single tax payers are described, depending on the level of annual income, the number of employees and the legal rates. The role of the single tax in the formation of local budget revenues is researched. It is noted that the fixed rates of this tax are set by rural, town and city councils. The main threats that hinder the efficient conduct of business are identified. An analysis of the dynamics of single tax revenues to local budgets during 2015-2019 is carried out and it has been identified that the largest share of this tax comes from self employed persons. The general reasons for hiding the real incomes of entrepreneurs and ways to eliminate them are considered. The major legislatively sound reforms are analyzed: new limits for self employed persons and the introduction of payment transactions recorders. Some changes and delays in the legislation in connection with the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-2019) are indicated. It is substantiated that the increase in the number of entrepreneurs in the sphere of small business and the growth of tax revenues from their activities are possible only in the implementation of a comprehensive reform by the State authorities, which will include sufficient government support. The main directions for improvement of national legislation in the context of a simplified tax system to stimulate the development of entrepreneurship and the economy of Ukraine are proposed.
Research Centre of Industrial Problems of Development of NAS of Ukraine
central nervous system, Peripheral Nervous System, anosmia, dysgeusia, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19
Recent studies have suggested the neuroinvasive potential of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Notably, neuroinvasiveness might be involved in the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Some studies have demonstrated that synapse-connected routes may enable coronaviruses to access the central nervous system (CNS). However, evidence related to the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the CNS, its direct impact on the CNS, and the contribution to symptoms suffered, remain sparse. Here, we review the current literature that indicates that SARS-CoV-2 can invade the nervous system. We also describe the neural circuits that are potentially affected by the virus and their possible role in the progress of COVID-19. In addition, we propose several strategies to understand, diagnose, and treat the neurological symptoms of COVID-19.
Isabella D'Andrea Meira, Vivaldo Moura-Neto, Tania Cristina Leite De Sampaio E Spohr, Sylvie Devalle, Marcos F. DosSantos, Cláudia Maria Pereira, Juliana de Mattos Coelho-Aguiar, Veronica Aran, Daniela Capra, Natália Roberta Roque, Janice Gonçalves Subilhaga, Paulo Niemeyer Soares Filho
Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry, Human anatomy
Key Strategies for Clinical Management and Improvement of Healthcare Services for Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Patients in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Settings: Recommendations From the REPROGRAM Consortium
Diabetes, Obesity, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), Health care services, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes are at potentially higher risk of infection and fatality due to COVID-19. Given the social and economic costs associated with disability due to these conditions, it is imperative that specific considerations for clinical management of these patients be observed. Moreover, the reorganization of health services around the pandemic response further exacerbates the growing crisis around limited access, treatment compliance, acute medical needs, and mental health of patients in this specific subgroup. Existing recommendations and guidelines emanating from respective bodies have addressed some of the pressure points; however, there are variations and limitations vis a vis patient with multiple comorbidities such as obesity. This article will pull together a comprehensive assessment of the association of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and COVID-19, its impact on the health systems and how best health systems can respond to mitigate current challenges and future needs. We anticipate that in the context of this pandemic, the cardiovascular disease and diabetes patients need a targeted strategy to ensure the harm to this group does not translate to huge costs to society and to the economy. Finally, we propose a triage and management protocol for patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the COVID-19 settings to minimize harm to patients, health systems and healthcare workers alike.
Vijay Kumar Chattu, Negman Alvarado, Sonu Bhaskar, Anil Adisesh, Pravin Thomas, Antony H. Walker, Aarushi Rastogi, Anis D. Riahi, Chakrakodi N. Varun, Anupama R. Pai, Sarah Barsam
Diseases of the circulatory (Cardiovascular) system
Clinical Features of 33 Cases in Children Infected With SARS-CoV-2 in Anhui Province, China–A Multi-Center Retrospective Cohort Study
Children, Susceptibility, Chest CT, Familial Clustering, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19
Background: As of 23rd February 2020, China had 77,048 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, and only 2. 1% of patients were under the age of 19 years. Morbidity among children was much lower, with milder or absent signs and symptoms; chest CT scans showed milder symptoms, if at all, compared to adults.Objective: Report the epidemiological, clinical features, laboratory, radiological characteristics, and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Compare additional signs and symptoms, investigate familial clustering, compare laboratory results, and find out relevance between age and typical chest CT scans in patients.Methods: We studied 33 young patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Anhui Province of China by 16th February 2020. Their signs, symptoms, and familial clustering were analyzed. We compared the laboratory test results, age, and gender among three parts based on their chest CT scans.Results: Familial clustering was seen in 30 (30/33; 90.91%) patients; three families had seven confirmed members infected with the disease. Eight (8/33; 24.24%) patients had no symptoms, 12 (12/33; 36.36%) patients had only fever, nine (9/33; 27.27%) patients had fever and additional symptoms, and 12 (12/33; 36.36%) patients had no fever. Dry cough was the most common additional symptom. In 25 (25/33; 75.76%) patients, the percent of lymphocytes decreased; 26 (26/33; 78.79%) patients were older than 7 years. More male than female patients and patients older than 8 years showed typical abnormalities in the chest CT scans (P = 0.038). Only two 18 years old patients had hepatic injury.Conclusion: Children's infection is mild and familial clustering was the most common channel. The older patients had more typical ground glass opacity (GGO) or consolidation in chest CT scans. Cases without fever strongly suggested that non-symptomatic children should not be assumed to be free of infection when their family members have confirmed infection. Most children showed clinical features distinguishable from adults and with increased susceptibility within family members.
Mask-Wearing Increased After a Government Recommendation: A Natural Experiment in the U.S. During the COVID-19 Pandemic
mask, preventive behavior, COVID-19, CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, government recommendation
On April 3 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that all Americans wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The announcement came during the fielding of a large, nationally-representative survey (N = 3,933) of Americans' COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, providing an opportunity to measure the impact of the CDC's recommendation on public reported mask wearing and buying behavior. The study found significant increases in reported mask wearing (+12 percentage points) and mask buying (+7 points). These findings indicate the speed with which government recommendations can affect the adoption of protective behaviors by the public. The results demonstrate the importance of national leadership and communication during a public health crisis.
Anthony Leiserowitz, Edward W. Maibach, Matthew T. Ballew, John E Kotcher, Jennifer R. Marlon, Matthew H. Goldberg, Seth A. Rosenthal, Abel Gustafson, Parrish Bergquist
SARS-COV-2 PANDEMIC IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PERSPECTIVES
Epidemiology, Public Health, Pandemic, Mediterranean Area, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19
In December 2019, a disease caused by a novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2. At the end of May 2020, SARS-CoV-2 confirmed cases and deaths due to novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were about 6.5 million and 380,000, worldwide. In this commentary the authors argue on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in different epidemiological settings within the Mediterranean area, discussing any possible association with higher or lower virus spread according to climatic factors, pollutants, characteristics of general population, and organization of health care services.
İlim Irmak, Nagehan Emiralioglu, Neslihan Özçelik, Selçuk Gürz, Hüseyin Arıkan, Bilge Yılmaz Kara, Fatma Gülsüm Karakaş, Pinar Yildiz Gulhan, Fatma Tokgöz Akyıl, Merve ERÇELİK, Metin Akgun, Dilek Karadoğan, Fatma Esra Günaydın, Elif DEVELİ, Zehra Nur TÖREYİN, Neslihan Köse, Tugba Sismanlar Eyuboglu, Tugba Ramaslı Gursoy, Canan Gündüz Gürkan, Aycan Yüksel, İrem Şerifoğlu, Feride Marim, Hilal Özakıncı, Berrin Er, Asena Aydın, Dorina Esendağlı, Ümran Özden Sertçelik, Selman Celik, Mehmet Fatih Elversli, Asli Oncel, Ali Firincioglulari, Ethem Yildiz
Lessons Learned so Far from the Pandemic: A Review on Pregnants and Neonates with COVID-19
Nagehan Emiralioglu, Hüseyin Arıkan, Abdulsamet Sandal, Fatma Tokgöz Akyıl, Metin Akgun, Dilek Karadoğan, Zehra Nur TÖREYİN, Tugba Sismanlar Eyuboglu, Tugba Ramaslı Gursoy, Canan Gündüz Gürkan, Aycan Yüksel, İrem Şerifoğlu, Feride Marim