ABSTRACT
Background: In several studies, Vitamin D supplementation was found useful against the highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 to reduce the mortality rate and severity of its infection. Viral replication was also found to be affected negatively by vitamin D administration. Objective: The literature was reviewed with an aim to evaluate the efficacy of the therapeutic approach of nutrition involving intervention of Vitamin D towards decreasing the severity of prevailing pandemic of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: A background research of literature was performed using the keywords "SARS-CoV-2”, "COVID-19”, "nutritional therapy”, "Vitamin D”, "immunity”, "AEC2 receptors” and "RAS” in the Pubmed and Google Scholar. Results: This literature was review suggested that if combined with medical sciences, this nutritional therapy approach can end up as an influential solution to reduce the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is a prevailing pandemic. A combination of assessment, supplementation of this required micro-nutrient (Vitamin D), and monitoring can be used to aid the immune system of COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: Nutritional therapy with Vitamin D as a major factor can be used to increase the immunity of an individual to fight against the highly infectious SARS-CoV-2. However, the ac-tual mechanism of how Vitamin D supplementation functions to improve the health of an individual is yet unclear. © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
The interconnected constructs of education in the 21st century cannot be divorced from teacher training. This article reports on the digital literacy experience of teachers amidst the worldwide recommendations of using distance learning and open educational applications to address education during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Altogether, 840 participants were purposively selected from urban, semi-urban, and rural areas in South Africa;217 completed an online qualitative survey, while 23 took part in three virtual focus-group discussions. Van Dijk’s Resources and Appropriation Theory guided the study. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings revealed the gaps between what is expected of teachers and their own realities, besides teachers’ eagerness to be involved in digital literacy. Recommendations include the need to continually align the teacher education curriculum with the country’s skills need and to provide teachers with the required support. Associated directions for further research are suggested. © 2022, Commonwealth of Learning. All rights reserved.