Airborne fungal communities are more susceptible to anthropogenic activities than bacteria.

Airborne microorganisms (AM) have significant environmental and health implications. Extensive studies have been conducted to investigate the factors influencing the composition and diversity of AM. However, the knowledge of AM with anthropogenic activities has not reach a consensus. In this study, we took advantage of the dramatic decline of outdoor anthropogenic activities resulting from COVID-19 lockdown to reveal their associations. We collected airborne particulate matter before and during the lockdown period in two cities. The results showed that it was fungal diversity and communities but not bacteria obviously different between pre-lockdown and lockdown samples, suggesting that airborne fungi were more susceptible to anthropogenic activities than bacteria. However, after the implementation of lockdown, the co-occurrence networks of both bacterial and fungal community became more complex, which might be due to the variation of microbial sources. Furthermore, Mantel test and correlation analysis showed that air pollutants also partly contributed to microbial alterations. Airborne fungal community was more affected by air pollutants than bacterial community. Notably, some human pathogens like Nigrospora and Arthrinium were negatively correlated with air pollutants. Overall, our study highlighted the more impacts of anthropogenic activities on airborne fungal community than bacterial community and advanced the understanding of associations between anthropogenic activities and AM.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on mother and child health - the case of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: The lockdown measures in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have led to a wide range of unintended consequences for women and children. Until the outbreak of COVID-19, attention was on reducing maternal and infant mortality due to pregnancy and delivery complications. The aim of this study was to interrogate the impact of lockdown measures on women and children in two contrasting districts in Ghana - Krobo Odumase and Ayawaso West Wuogon. METHODS: This study adopted the mixed-method approach using both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative study relied on two data collection methods to explore the impacts of COVID-19 control measures on women and children in Ghana. These were: Focus Group Discussions (FGDs; n = 12) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs; n = 18). The study complemented the qualitative data with survey data - household surveys (n = 78) which were used to support the nutrition and school closure data; and policy data gathered from government websites consisting of government responses to COVID-19. The qualitative data was analysed using the thematic approach with codes generated apriori with the NVIVO software. The quantitative data used percentages and frequencies. RESULTS: Engagements with participants in the study revealed that the lockdown measures implemented in Ghana had consequences on child and maternal health, and the health care system as a whole. Our study revealed, for example, that there was a decrease in antenatal and postnatal attendance in hospitals. Childhood vaccinations also came to a halt. Obesity and malnutrition were found to be common among children depending on the location of our study participants (urban and rural areas respectively). Our study also revealed that TB, Malaria and HIV treatment seeking reduced due to the fear of going to health facilities since those ailments manifest similar symptoms as COVID 19. CONCLUSION: Government responded to COVID-19 using different strategies however the policy response resulted in both intended and unintended consequences especially for women and children in Ghana. It is recommended that national policy directions should ensure the continuous provision of child and maternal healthcare services which are essential health services during lockdowns.

Investigating the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on fragility fracture risk and bone mineral density in a large observational cohort: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2 or COVID-19) led to lockdowns predisposing people to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy behaviours which may have affected bone mineral density (BMD) and fragility fracture risk. However, limited studies describe such an association. We aimed to investigate how COVID-19 lockdowns has affected BMD and fragility fractures in a large cohort. Methods: Patients were referred to our DXA scanner from 2004 to 2024 and were subsequently categorized as pre- or post-March 23, 2020 (pre- and post-COVID-19) to allow analysis between the groups. Demographic, BMD and compositional data were compared between the two populations. A multivariate logistic regression modelled the odds of reporting a fracture including hip and non-hip fracture. A multiple linear regression was used to model how the lockdown has affected bone density. All analyses were adjusted for confounders. Results: Of 43 799 referrals, 6564 were post-COVID-19. Post-COVID-19 patients had higher non-hip fracture rates (42.0% vs 39.8%), were 3 kg heavier, and had lower left femoral T-scores. Patients referred post-COVID-19 had a statistically significant reduction of -0.23 to their T-score after adjusting for confounders as well as increased risk of getting diagnosed with osteoporosis [odds ratio (OR) 1.49, 95% CI 1.40-1.59]. Patients referred after the pandemic had a reduced odds of any fracture (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.77-0.88), hip (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.88) and non-hip fracture (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.73-0.83). Conclusion: COVID-19 lockdowns may have negatively affected bone; however, this has not translated to an increased fracture risk in our study. Further research is needed with prospective cohorts to corroborate this risk.

Adolescent mental well-being in time of crises: The role of social and residential contexts.

BACKGROUND: The extent of the impact and the interconnections among factors within social and residential contexts during the COVID-19 lockdowns on mental well-being remain to be elucidated. We identified latent classes of each of social and residential context during the lockdown and examined their associations with mental well-being among adolescents in France 1-year after the first lockdown. METHODS: We used data collected in 2021 in a cross-sectional school-based pilot study for EXIST, from 387 participants ages 12-15 years. Participants reported retrospectively on characteristics of their social and residential contexts during the lockdown, and their current mental well-being in self-report questionnaires. We used latent class analysis to identify latent classes of social and residential contexts, and linear regression models to examine the associations between these contexts and mental well-being. RESULTS: Four social context classes were identified: class 1 "Low opportunity for social contact at home," class 2 "Moderate opportunity for social contact at home," class 3 "High opportunity for social contact at home," and class 4 "Very high opportunity for social contact at home." Relative to class 4, lower levels of mental well-being were observed among adolescents in class 1 (b = -4.08, 95% CI [-8.06; -0.10]) 1 year after the lockdown. We identified four residential context classes based on proximity to nature, type of residence (e.g., apartment, house), and level of neighborhood deprivation. No association was detected between residential context during the lockdown and adolescent mental well-being one-year later. CONCLUSION: A limited social context may negatively impact adolescent mental well-being during crises.

Changes in household use of disinfectant and cleaning products during the first lockdown period in France.

BACKGROUND: Few studies evaluated the use of Household Disinfectant and Cleaning Products (HDCPs) during the COVID-19 pandemic, but no population-based cohorts used longitudinal data. We studied changes in HDCPs during the first lockdown, based on longitudinal data from the French population-based NutriNet-Santé and CONSTANCES cohorts. METHODS: Based on standardized questionnaires on household cleaning tasks in 2018-2019 and around the first lockdown in France (March17-May3 2020), we compared the duration of weekly use of HDCPs (< 1 day/week, < 10 min/week; 10-30 min/week; > 30 min/week) and the household cleaning help (yes/no) before and during the lockdown period by Bhapkar and McNemar's tests. Moreover, we assessed self-reported changes in the frequency of HDCPs during the lockdown from before (unchanged/increased). RESULTS: Analyses were carried on 31,105 participants of NutriNet-Santé (48 years, 75% women, 81% ≥ high school diploma) and 49,491 of CONSTANCES (47 years, 51% women, 87% ≥ high school diploma). During the lockdown, compared with 2018-2019, duration of HDCPs use increased (> 30 min; NutriNet-Santé: 44% versus 18%; CONSTANCES: 63% versus 16%) and household help decreased (NutriNet-Santé: 5% versus 40%; CONSTANCES: 3% versus 56%). Regarding the frequency of HDCPs use, 55% of participants of NutriNet-Santé (57% women/49% men) and 83% of CONSTANCES (86% women/81% men) reported an increased use since the beginning of the lockdown, significantly higher among women (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and duration of weekly use of HDCPs has significantly increased since the pandemic. As the use of HDCPs is associated with health issues, further studies are now needed to evaluate the potential health impacts of these changes.

The Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown Among Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess how the lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the glycaemic control of adolescents aged 10-19 with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: A comprehensive search of literature was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest. Published articles up to September 2022 were included. The Glucose Monitoring Index (GMI) and HbA1c level were defined as outcome variables. Average glucose level was found to be a common variable in both HbA1c levels and GMI; therefore, HbA1c and GMI were converted to average glucose (mg/dL) using appropriate formulas. Studies reported the outcomes in two or three periods (pre-lockdown, lockdown, and post-lockdown) were included in the analysis. A paired wise meta-analysis was performed among the studies that reported all three periods. Homogeneity across studies was assessed using I2 statistic. RESULT: Fourteen studies were included in the study. The pooled average glucose during the lockdown decreased to 166.9 mg/dL (95% CI, 153.78, 180.02) from 205.793 mg/dL (95% CI, 188.412, 223.173) during the pre-lockdown period, then it increased to 204.23 mg/dL (95% CI, 186.17, 222.29) during the post-lockdown period. A paired wise meta-analysis indicated a reduction in average glucose levels. However, it was not statistically significant, possibly due to the small number of studies that reported data from all three periods. CONCLUSION: Although the descriptive analysis of our study showed that the lockdown had affected (decreased) the average glucose level among adolescents with type 1 diabetes, this was not statistically significant in the pooled analysis.

Post-traumatic Reactions and Social-Emotional Competence Among Chinese High School Students Experiencing COVID-19 Lockdown: A Network Analysis.

In the post-pandemic era, psychological traumas have emerged as major mental health issues. However, the post-traumatic reactions and their connections with social-emotional competence among high school students experiencing COVID-19 lockdown have not been adequately explored. This study aimed to reveal the characteristics of their positive and negative post-traumatic reactions, and their connections with social-emotional competence. Network analysis was used on data from 1096 Chinese high school students who experienced COVID-19 lockdown. Measures included the DSECS-S, the PTGI and the PC-PTSD-5. The results revealed that "Valuing life" and "Recalling unwillingly" were identified as core factors of post-traumatic reactions, while "Having close friendships", "Getting along well with others" and "Respecting others' emotions" played a bridging role in connecting the communities of social-emotional competence and post-traumatic reactions. This study enriches research on post-traumatic reactions, emphasizing the importance of implementing social-emotional competence programs to tackle mental health crises.

Chronotype Differences and Symptom Network Dynamics of Post-Pandemic Sleep in Adolescents and Young Adults.

Background: Social restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in altered sleep patterns and mental health challenges, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Our objective was to examine the potential difference in insomnia prevalence and sleep patterns in this population between the first COVID-19 lockdown and the post-lockdown period, with a focus on chronotype. Additionally, we explored the network of sleep-related differences between these two periods. Methods: A total of 946 respondents participated in our online questionnaire. We performed mixed ANOVA, Ising network and Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) analyses. Results: Respondents reported going to bed earlier, waking up earlier, sleeping less, and feeling less mentally tired than during the lockdown. The severity of insomnia symptoms did not change. The lethargic chronotype reported more insomnia symptoms, depressive feelings, and agitation than others. Mental fatigue was the central symptom in the Ising network and served as the parent node in the DAG. Conclusions: Post-lockdown, adolescents and young adults have shifted to earlier sleep and wake times with reduced overall sleep, and they experience fewer depressive feelings and less agitation, though insomnia symptoms remain unchanged. Participants who reported increased irritability or poorer sleep quality during confinement also reported similar or diminished attentional capacities compared to their usual levels.

Increased rate of injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament in amateur soccer players after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the discontinuation of soccer activities at all levels of play. Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are still one of the most severe injuries in soccer. The aim of this investigation was to analyze the changes in the incidence and mechanism of ACL injuries in professional and amateur soccer before and after the lockdown period. Injury data were prospectively collected using the database 'ACL registry in German soccer'. Between 2019 and 2021, 10 matches in professional, semi-professional, and amateur leagues before and after the lockdown were analyzed for the incidence and mechanism of ACL injuries. Data were collected using standardized and recently published study methods. Mean incidence of the 84 ACL injuries recorded during the study period was 0.083 injuries per 1000 h of exposure before and 0.079 injuries per 1000 h of exposure after the lockdown period (p = 0.699). In amateur soccer, the incidence of ACL injuries increased significantly from 0.058 injuries per 1000 h of exposure before to 0.128 injuries per 1000 h of exposure after the lockdown period (p = 0.026), in contrast to professional (p = 0.436) and semi-professional (p = 0.802) soccer. The predominant mechanisms of ACL injuries were non-contact injuries (pre-COVID: 59.1%; post-COVID: 57.7%) and indirect contact injuries (pre-COVID: 31.8%; post-COVID: 30.8%). The absence from training and match practice in German soccer during the COVID-19 lockdown led to a significantly increased ACL injury rate in amateur leagues, while in professional and semi-professional soccer no differences were reported. The mechanism of ACL injuries did not change after the lockdown period.Level of evidence: II.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of care for juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients: insights from Thailand.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted individuals with chronic conditions. This investigation assessed the quality of care provided to pediatric and adolescent patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) during the pandemic in Thailand. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis enrolled JIA patients aged ≤ 18 years at an academic tertiary care facility from April 2022 to March 2023. Retrospective reviews were performed, complemented by patient and caregiver questionnaires to assess the pandemic's impact on care quality. RESULTS: Seventy JIA patients (37 males, 33 females) with a mean age of 13.5 ± 3.1 years were included. A total of 41.4% of the caregivers reported negative impacts on JIA care due to the pandemic and the lockdown, and 31.4% of the patients experienced pandemic-related anxiety. A comparison between the pandemic and prepandemic periods revealed a higher incidence of active disease, although the difference was statistically nonsignificant (37.1% vs 14.2%, p = 0.106). Nonadherence significantly predicted active disease status (adjusted OR 15.04, 95% CI 2.48-91.15, p = 0.03). COVID-19 vaccinations were administered to 85.7% of patients; 52.8% of whom contracted mild COVID-19. Most patients (71.4%) postponed clinic visits; 36% due to lockdowns and 28% due to concerns about COVID-19 exposure in healthcare settings. The majority of patients received telephone JIA management advice from rheumatologists during the lockdown (91.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures affected the care of JIA patients, impacting both physical and mental health. Nonadherence was a critical factor in disease flare-ups. Telemedicine is indispensable for patient care.

Social and Health-related Changes in Hispanic Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Lockdown.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore changes in health-related behaviors and social practices in Hispanic cancer patients during a government-mandated lockdown and their relationship to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. METHODS: Secondary analyses were conducted on data gathered by a longitudinal cohort study to describe the unmet needs of Hispanic cancer patients living in Puerto Rico exposed to Hurricane Maria in 2017, earthquakes in 2020, and COVID-19. However, our study solely focuses on the data from the COVID-19 pandemic period. RESULTS: Most participants were women (n = 72) with breast cancer (81.2%). Participants exhibited changes in religious practices (60%), physical activity (58.4%), and sedentary behavior (50%); 31.4% experienced changes in eating habits and sleeping patterns. Responses to the study questionnaire involved staying connected with family (85.5%) through phone calls (78.2%); 69.9% of the participants reported observing shifts in the family dynamics. A strong majority endorsed the government-imposed isolation measures (95.6%). Patients not undergoing treatment were likelier (r = -0.324; P = .010) to support the measures. Finally, younger patients experienced more work-related changes (r = -0.288; P = .017) and were less inclined (r = -0.293; P = .011) to find the isolation measures appropriate. CONCLUSION: This paper describes the lockdown related changes in health and social behaviors sustained by cancer patients, changes which could potentially impact their overall health and health-related quality of life. Our results fill an existing gap in our findings and contribute to understanding the experiences of cancer patients (in particular, Hispanic patients) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coping with COVID-19: a prospective cohort study on young Australians' anxiety and depression symptoms from 2020-2021.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic negatively impacted the mental health of young Australians. However, there is limited longitudinal research exploring how individual factors and COVID-19 related public-health restrictions influenced mental health in young people over the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify risk and protective factors associated with changes in individual symptoms of anxiety and depression among young Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This prospective cohort study collected data on anxiety and depression symptoms of young Australians aged 15-29 years old using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale short form (DASS-21). We delivered four online questionnaires from April 2020 to August 2021 at intervals of 3, 6, and 12 months after the initial survey. We implemented linear mixed-effects regression models to determine the association among demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle and COVID-19 public health restrictions related factors and the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms over time. RESULTS: Analyses included 1936 young Australians eligible at baseline. There was a slight increase in DASS-21 anxiety mean scores from timepoint 3 to timepoint 4. DASS-21 depression scores showed slight fluctuations across timepoints with the highest mean score observed in timepoint 2. Factors associated with increases in anxiety and depression severity symptoms included LGBTQIA + identity, financial insecurity both before and during the pandemic, higher levels of loneliness, withdrawal or deferral of studies, spending more time on social media, and difficulties to sleep. Risk factors for only depression symptoms include unemployment during COVID-19 pandemic and being in lockdown. Living with someone was a protective factor for both anxiety and depression symptoms, pre-COVID-19 unemployment for depression symptoms, and older age and unemployment during the pandemic for anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that during the first year of the pandemic in Australia, there were significant changes in young people's mental health which were associated with multiple demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and lockdown factors. Hence, in future public health crises, we suggest more inclusive guidelines that involve young people in their development and implementation ensuring that their unique perspectives and needs are adequately considered.

Lived experiences of medical students of online learning: lessons for adopting virtual learning in medical education.

BACKGROUND: The COVID 19 lockdown created a shift in medical education from the traditional physical classroom to online learning. OBJECTIVES: To explore the lived experiences of students in various years of medical education attending a medical college in Chennai, India. METHODS: In this qualitative exploration of lived experiences we conducted 4 focus group discussions among students of the four years in the medical college with the help of a checklist. We recorded the interviews, transcribed them and performed a thematic content analysis. RESULTS: There was a gendered impact of the lockdown on the online learning experiences with women students finding it challenging to attend classes balancing their gender roles of performing household chores. Online learning offered some advantages in the form of increased participation and engagement due to the partial anonymity. The greatest disadvantage of online learning was lack of clinical learning experience. The students resorted to fabricating case studies for discussion, which some students found useful and some commented that it can never replace real life clinical discussions. A generational gap between adoption of technology between the senior professors and the students hampered the online learning. Online assessments were challenging, and many students resorted to cheating in these exams. CONCLUSIONS: Though online learning offers several advantages, it has serious limitations in offering the clinical learning experience. While planning adoption of online learning into routine medical education adequate time must be set aside for real life clinical exposure in addition to the online lectures and demonstrations for conceptual understanding.

Weight change and lifestyle modifications implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown are associated with the development of gastrointestinal symptoms.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Pandemic lockdown measures are a cause of concern, regarding their negative impact on the mental health of individuals. The results of numerous studies have associated the appearance of gastrointestinal symptoms with different psychologic disorders, such as stress, depression, and anxiety, due to gut-brain axis interaction. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of, and factors associated with, gastrointestinal symptom onset related to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and various lifestyle modifications. METHODS: An analytic, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted on an open population that agreed to participate within the time frame of January to May 2021. RESULTS: A total of 298 subjects, 165 of whom were women (55.4%), agreed to participate and the mean patient age was 36.1 ±â€¯12.6 years. There was a significant increase in the frequency of several gastrointestinal symptoms: epigastric burning, early satiety, heartburn, regurgitation, constipation, and diarrhea. Changes in weight and modifications in lifestyle were found to be associated variables. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed a significant increase in a wide variety of gastrointestinal symptoms related to lifestyle changes due to the pandemic lockdown. Weight change, supplement and multivitamin intake, and reduced physical activity were the main associated risk factors. Public healthcare systems should take a multidisciplinary approach into consideration for the care of affected individuals.

Comparative Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Quality: A Multinational Study of SARS-CoV-2 Hotspots.

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, nations implemented lockdown measures to contain the virus. This study assessed air pollution levels during and after lockdowns, focusing on the following heavily affected locations: Oulu and Helsinki in Finland, Paris in France, Madrid in Spain, Milan in Italy, and Wuhan in China. Air Quality Index (AQI) data from these locations over two years were analyzed to understand the effects of lockdowns. The study compared COVID-19 lockdowns in these six cities with SARS-CoV-2 measurements using statistical methods. Variations in outdoor pollutants were evaluated through tests, revealing significant differences. Parametric analyses and regression were employed to study the impacts of lockdown measures on pollution and their relationships. The study comprehensively analyzed the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on air quality, identifying differences, quantifying changes, and exploring patterns in each city. Pollutant correlations varied among cities during the lockdowns. Regression analysis highlighted the impact of independent variables on pollutants. Decreases in NO2 were observed in Helsinki, Madrid, Oulu, Paris, and Milan, reflecting reduced traffic and industrial activities. Reductions in PM2.5 and PM10 were noted in these cities and in Wuhan, except for O3 levels, which increased. The reduction in human activities improved air quality, particularly for NO2 and PM10. Regional variations underscore the need for tailored interventions. The study observed a substantial decrease in both PM2.5 and NO2 levels during the COVID-19 lockdowns, indicating a direct correlation between reduced human activities, such as transportation and industrial operations, and improved air quality. This underscores the potential impact of environmental measures and suggests the need for sustainable practices to mitigate urban pollution.

Water quality assessment of Upper Ganga and Yamuna river systems during COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdown: imprints of river rejuvenation.

Clean river water is an essential and life-sustaining asset for all living organisms. The upper Ganga and Yamuna river system has shown signs of rejuvenation and tremendous improvement in the water quality following the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. All the industrial and commercial activity was shut down, and there was negligible wastewater discharge from the industries. This article addresses the water quality assessment from the study area, which is based on the original data of physical parameters, major and trace elements, and stable isotopes (hydrogen and oxygen) systematics during the nationwide lockdown. The impact of the lockdown could be seen in terms of an increase in dissolved oxygen (DO). Water samples were collected from the Upper Ganga and Yamuna river basins (Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, and Tons rivers) during an eight-week lockdown in Uttarakhand, India. We discussed the signs of rejuvenation of riverine based on physical parameters, major ions, trace elements, isotopic ratios, and water pollution index (WPI). Results reveal that the water quality of the entire upper basins of the Ganga has significantly improved by 93%, reflecting the signs of self-rejuvenation of the rivers. Multivariate analysis suggests a negative factor loading for an anthropogenic element ( NO 3 - ), implying that they contribute little to the river water during the lockdown. Further, bicarbonate ( HCO 3 - ) is a dominant element in both river basins. The geochemical facies are mainly characterized by the ( Ca 2 + : Mg 2 + : H C O 3 - ) type of water, suggesting that silicate rock weathering dominates with little influence from carbonate weathering in the area. The positive factor loadings of some cations, like HCO 3 - , Ca 2 + , and Mg 2 + reflect their strong association with the source of origin in the lockdown phases. Stable isotopic reveals that the glaciated region contributed the most to the river basin, as evidenced by the low d-excess in riverine water compared to anthropogenic contributions. Rivers can self-rejuvenate if issues of human influence and anthropogenic activities are adequately resolved and underline our responsibility for purifying the ecosystem. We observed that this improvement in the river water quality will take a shorter time, and quality will deteriorate again when commercial and industrial activity resumes.

Reduction in physical activity during Covid-19 lockdowns predicts individual differences in cognitive performance several months after the end of the safety measures.

Prior studies suggest that the reductions in physical activity during Covid-19-related lockdowns impacted physical and mental health. Whether reductions in physical activity that occurred during lockdowns also relate to cognitive functions such as memory and attention is less explored. Here, we investigated whether changes in physical activity (PA) that occurred during and following Covid-19-related lockdowns could predict a variety of measures of cognitive performance in 318 young adults. Participants were assessed on their engagement in PA before, during, and after lockdowns. They also completed tests of cognitive control, working memory, and short-term memory following lockdown(s). As expected, engagement in PA decreased during lockdown and returned to near baseline levels thereafter. Decreases in PA during lockdown predicted individual differences in cognitive performance following lockdown. Greater reductions in PA during lockdown were associated with lower scores on the go/no-go task, a measure of cognitive control ability, and the n-back task, a measure of working memory performance. Larger post-lockdown increases in PA were associated with higher scores on the same tasks. Individual differences in pandemic-related stress and insomnia also predicted cognitive outcomes. These findings suggest that reductions of PA can predict cognitive performance, and underscore the importance of maintaining PA for cognitive health, especially in situations such as lockdowns.

Strict Danes or relaxed Swedes? Comparing health and daily activities in Sweden and Denmark during the Covid-19 pandemic.

AIMS: Amidst the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, Denmark and Sweden adopted contrasting strategies despite their many cultural similarities. Denmark swiftly imposed strict governmental restrictions, while Sweden favoured a more gradual, voluntary approach. This study aims to analyse the disparities between the two nations in mental health indicators (depressive symptoms, sleep problems and loneliness), daily activities (shopping, going for a walk, visiting family and meeting other people) and medical care after the Covid-19 outbreak. METHODS: Data from adults aged ⩾50 years in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) wave 8 (2019/2020) and the two SHARE Covid-19 surveys (summer 2020/2021) were utilised. Multilevel logistic regression models assessed longitudinal and cross-sectional changes in Sweden and Denmark. RESULTS: Both countries witnessed reduced risk of depressive symptoms and sleep problems during summer 2020, albeit with a more significant decline in depressive symptoms observed in Denmark: 17.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 15.0-20.6) vs. 12.5% (95% CI 9.0-15.9). Swedish respondents were more likely to reduce their daily activities in the summer of 2020 (shopping: odds ratio (OR)=0.45, 95% CI 0.36-0.55; visit family: OR=0.76, 95% CI 0.60-0.97) and less likely to have medical appointments postponed (OR=1.83, 95% CI 1.46-2.28). CONCLUSIONS: Minimal differences were observed between Sweden and Denmark in mental health and daily activities during the pandemic. Despite significant disruption to their daily routines, Scandinavians aged ⩾50 years old demonstrate remarkable resilience.

White privilege, ethnic disadvantage, and stigmatized linguistic capital: COVID-19 infection rates and lockdown law enforcement in Hong Kong.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing disparities in various societies. This study investigates disparities among racial, ethnic, and linguistic groups in Hong Kong's society in COVID-19 infection rates and lockdown enforcement practices that was imposed 545 times from January 2021 to September 2022 and affected 9% of the population. It is found that neighborhoods with more white individuals had lower infection rates than the overall population, while those with more ethnically minoritized groups had higher infection rates. Furthermore, hit rate tests reveal that the government targeted more neighborhoods with a higher share of individuals from linguistically minoritized groups. This novel finding suggests that not only race, but linguistic difference of the same ethnicity can cause bias. The study highlights the positive impact of providing ethnic support services on health outcomes in neighborhoods with a higher share of individuals from ethnically minoritized groups.

Social support for the chronically ill during lockdown. Qualitative research in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chronic illness requires a web of actors, both professional and familiar, who constitute the support network of the chronically ill. This article aims to analyse how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the delicate balance of these supports. Qualitative research was conducted among people with four types of chronic diseases in France: cystic fibrosis, kidney disease, haemophilia and mental disorders. Data on social support was collected using an innovative methodology combining semi-directive interviews (n = 54) and drawings (n = 32). During the first French lockdown (March-May 2020), the chronically ill were mainly supported by the usual support actors of their primary network: spouse and/or family. However, the COVID-19 health crisis has led to several changes in their support network; health-care professionals diversified their support roles and new supporting actors emerged, especially non-human entities and patient organisations. The chronically ill have received an interweaving of emotional, instrumental and informational, formal and informal and human and non-human support. Our study highlights the multiple and dynamic ties between these types of support and argues in favour of a comprehensive approach to social support of the chronically ill, both in social science theory and in practice of care.