Evaluating the Impact of Price Caps - Evidence from the European Roam-Like-At-Home Regulation

BACKGROUND Covid-19 is an emerging infectious disease like viral zoonosis caused by new coronavirus SARS CoV 2. On December 31, 2019, Wuhan Municipal Health Commission in Hubei province (China) reported cases of pneumonia, the origin of which is a new coronavirus. Rapidly extendable around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) declares it pandemic on March 11, 2020. This pandemic reaches Algeria on February 25, 2020, date on which the Algerian minister of health, announced the first case of Covid-19, a foreign citizen. From March 1, a cluster is formed in Blida and becomes the epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic in Algeria, its total quarantine is established on March 24, 2020, it will be smoothly alleviated on April 24. A therapeutic protocol based on hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin was put in place on March 23, for complicated cases, it was extended to all the cases confirmed on April 06. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquin/azithromycin protocol in Algeria, in particular after its extension to all patients diagnosed COVID-19 positive on RT-PCR test. We were able to illustrate this fact graphically, but not to prove it statistically because the design of our study, indeed in the 7 days which followed generalization of therapeutic protocol, case fatality rate decrease and doubling time increase, thus confirming the impact of wide and early prescription of hydroxychloroquin/azithromycin protocol. METHODS We have analyzed the data collected from press releases and follow-ups published daily by the Ministry of Health, we have studied the possible correlations of these data with certain events or decisions having a possible impact on their development, such as confinement at home and its reduction, the prescription of hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin combination for serious patients and its extension to all positive COVID subjects. Results are presented in graphics, the data collection was closed on 31/05/2020. RESULTS Covid-19 pandemic spreads from February 25, 2020, when a foreign citizen is tested positive, on March 1 a cluster is formed in the city of Blida where sixteen members of the same family are infected during a wedding party. Wilaya of Blida becomes the epicentre of coronavirus epidemic in Algeria and lockdown measures taken, while the number of national cases diagnosed begins to increases In any event, the association of early containment measures combined with a generalized initial treatment for all positive cases, whatever their degree of severity, will have contributed to a reduction in the fatality rate of COVID 19 and a slowing down of its doubling time. CONCLUSIONS In Algeria, the rapid combination of rigorous containment measure at home and early generalized treatment with hydroxychloroquin have demonstrated their effectiveness in terms of morbidity and mortality, the classic measures of social distancing and hygiene will make it possible to perpetuate these results by reducing viral transmission, the only unknown, the reopening procedure which can only be started after being surrounded by precautions aimed at ensuring the understanding of the population. CLINICALTRIAL Algeria, Covid-19, pandemic, hydroxychloroquin, azithromycin, case fatality rate

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A global analysis of the impact of COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions on crime

Nature Human Behaviour ◽

10.1038/s41562-021-01139-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amy E. Nivette ◽

Renee Zahnow ◽

Raul Aguilar ◽

Andri Ahven ◽

Shai Amram ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Space ◽

Global Analysis ◽

Sudden Change ◽

Interrupted Time Series ◽

Urban Crime ◽

Substantial Variation ◽

Different Types ◽

Time Series Analyses ◽

The Impact ◽

At Home

AbstractThe stay-at-home restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 led to unparalleled sudden change in daily life, but it is unclear how they affected urban crime globally. We collected data on daily counts of crime in 27 cities across 23 countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. We conducted interrupted time series analyses to assess the impact of stay-at-home restrictions on different types of crime in each city. Our findings show that the stay-at-home policies were associated with a considerable drop in urban crime, but with substantial variation across cities and types of crime. Meta-regression results showed that more stringent restrictions over movement in public space were predictive of larger declines in crime.

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Using an App to monitor postoperative pain at home in pediatric patients

Journal of Child Health Care ◽

10.1177/1367493520919313 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136749352091931

Author(s):

Emanuela Tiozzo ◽

Valentina Biagioli ◽

Matilde Brancaccio ◽

Riccardo Ricci ◽

Anna Marchetti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postoperative Pain ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Pain Scale ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Prospective Comparative Study ◽

Paper And Pencil ◽

The Impact ◽

At Home

A prospective comparative study was conducted in 487 pediatric patients (69% male, mean age = 6.4 ± 4.0) to evaluate (a) the incidence, intensity, and characteristics of pain in pediatric patients at home during the first 24 hours and 5 days after surgery and (b) the factors associated with higher pain intensity, including the impact of an application (App) compared to the paper-and-pencil approach. Postoperative pain was assessed by patients or their parents at home using the ‘Bambino Gesù’ Children’s Hospital (Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, OPBG) tool for participants aged 4–17 years or the Faces, Legs, Arms, Cry, and Consolability scale for participants less than four years old. Participants were assigned to two groups: those who used the paper-and-pencil version of the pain scale and those who used the App. Overall, 209 of the 472 (44%) participants reported pain during the first 24 hours, and 92 of the 420 (22%) reported pain between one and five days after surgery. Higher pain intensity scores were associated with being in the App group, directly assessing own pain, and using the OPBG tool. The App was effective in facilitating pain assessment. Health professionals could empower pediatric patients and their parents in assessing pain at home through a dedicated App.

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Abstract No. 550 The impact of stay-at-home orders on code stroke activations and mechanical thrombectomy

Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology ◽

10.1016/j.jvir.2021.03.360 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. S151

Author(s):

A. Hines ◽

J. Rhoten ◽

D. Strong ◽

T. Prasad ◽

E. Wang

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

The Impact ◽

At Home

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Quit Experiences among Primary Care Patients Enrolled in a Smoking Cessation Pilot RCT Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18031011 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 1011

Author(s):

Andrea A. Joyce ◽

Grace M. Styklunas ◽

Nancy A. Rigotti ◽

Jordan M. Neil ◽

Elyse R. Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Age Groups ◽

Text Messages ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Primary Care Patients ◽

The Impact ◽

At Home

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on US adults’ smoking and quitting behaviors is unclear. We explored the impact of COVID-19 on smoking behaviors, risk perceptions, and reactions to text messages during a statewide stay-at-home advisory among primary care patients who were trying to quit. From May–June 2020, we interviewed smokers enrolled in a 12-week, pilot cessation trial providing text messaging and mailed nicotine replacement medication (NCT04020718). Twenty-two individuals (82% white, mean age 55 years), representing 88% of trial participants during the stay-at-home advisory, completed exit interviews; four (18%) of them reported abstinence. Interviews were thematically analyzed by two coders. COVID-19-induced environmental changes had mixed effects, facilitating quitting for some and impeding quitting for others. While stress increased for many, those who quit found ways to cope with stress. Generally, participants felt at risk for COVID-19 complications but not at increased risk of becoming infected. Reactions to COVID-19 and quitting behaviors differed across age groups, older participants reported difficulties coping with isolation (e.g., feeling disappointed when a text message came from the study and not a live person). Findings suggest that cessation interventions addressing stress and boredom are needed during COVID-19, while smokers experiencing isolation may benefit from live-person supports.

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Reducing Loneliness: The Impact of Mindfulness, Social Cognitions, and Coping

Psychological Reports ◽

10.1177/0033294121997779 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 003329412199777

Author(s):

Robin Besse ◽

Whitney K. Whitaker ◽

Laura A. Brannon

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Social Cognitions ◽

Age Group ◽

Coping Behaviors ◽

Current Health ◽

Current State ◽

And Coping ◽

Study Participants ◽

The Impact ◽

At Home

While many facets of loneliness have been explored, research examining the efficacy of loneliness interventions has been overlooked among young adults. The study of loneliness among young adults has become increasingly important considering the current state of isolation and stay-at-home orders issued to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Preliminary reports suggest an increase in loneliness as a result of the current health pandemic, especially among young adults, who have reported feeling lonelier than any other age group. Such findings warrant the study of ways to help reduce loneliness among young adults. The current study examined the efficacy of strategies that might be used to help young adults manage feelings of loneliness. Two hundred and seventy-eight young adults completed the study. Participants read one of four messages: mindfulness, social cognitions, coping behaviors, or a control. Participants in the mindfulness condition felt better equipped to manage future instances of loneliness and held better attitudes toward this intervention. The current research helps to advance understanding of effective ways of helping young adults cope with loneliness.

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The Impact of Policy Measures on Human Mobility, COVID-19 Cases, and Mortality in the US: A Spatiotemporal Perspective

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18030996 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 996

Author(s):

Yun Li ◽

Moming Li ◽

Megan Rice ◽

Haoyuan Zhang ◽

Dexuan Sha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Human Mobility ◽

Public Information ◽

Key Factors ◽

Information Campaigns ◽

Rapid Spread ◽

The Us ◽

Policy Measures ◽

The Impact ◽

At Home

Social distancing policies have been regarded as effective in containing the rapid spread of COVID-19. However, there is a limited understanding of policy effectiveness from a spatiotemporal perspective. This study integrates geographical, demographical, and other key factors into a regression-based event study framework, to assess the effectiveness of seven major policies on human mobility and COVID-19 case growth rates, with a spatiotemporal emphasis. Our results demonstrate that stay-at-home orders, workplace closures, and public information campaigns were effective in decreasing the confirmed case growth rate. For stay-at-home orders and workplace closures, these changes were associated with significant decreases (p < 0.05) in mobility. Public information campaigns did not see these same mobility trends, but the growth rate still decreased significantly in all analysis periods (p < 0.01). Stay-at-home orders and international/national travel controls had limited mitigation effects on the death case growth rate (p < 0.1). The relationships between policies, mobility, and epidemiological metrics allowed us to evaluate the effectiveness of each policy and gave us insight into the spatiotemporal patterns and mechanisms by which these measures work. Our analysis will provide policymakers with better knowledge regarding the effectiveness of measures in space–time disaggregation.

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