Title: A nanobody recognizes a unique conserved epitope and potently neutralizes against the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants.

The SARS-CoV2 Omicron variant sub-lineages spread rapidly worldwide, mostly due to their immune-evasive properties. This has put a significant part of the population at risk for severe disease and underscores the need for effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents against emergent strains in vulnerable patients. Camelid nanobodies are attractive therapeutic candidates due to their high stability, ease of large-scale production and potential for delivery via inhalation. Here, we characterize the RBD-specific nanobody W25 and show superior neutralization activity towards Omicron sub-lineages in comparison to all other SARS-CoV2 variants. Structure analysis of W25 in complex with the SARS-CoV2 spike glycoprotein shows that W25 engages an RBD epitope not covered by any of the antibodies previously approved for emergency use. In vivo evaluation of W25 prophylactic and therapeutic treatments across multiple SARS-CoV-2 variant infection models, together with W25 biodistribution analysis in mice, demonstrates favorable pre-clinical properties. Together, these data endorse W25 for further clinical development.

Mental health and psychosocial support concerns among frontline workers within the Eastern and Southern Africa COVID-19 response.

We carried out a mental health assessment survey of frontline workers in Eastern and Southern Africa regarding COVID-19 pandemic in the region. A total of 723 people responded to the anonymous survey which was available in English, French and Portuguese. Two thirds of respondents felt overwhelmed and the remaining one third expressed fear of the pandemic. Concern about self and one´s wellbeing was associated with the feeling of being supported by one´s supervisor. Frontline workers that acknowledged supervisor support also expressed a significantly better wellbeing than others that did not receive supportive supervision. It is important to strengthen supervisors´ capacity for psychological support to their subordinates. It is also necessary to emphasise the importance of giving attention to staff mental health concerns. Supervisors should provide information on referral opportunities and encourage their staff to take advantage of them when in need of specialised services. While frontline workers have been celebrated worldwide for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports also indicate that some of them are exposed to stigma, discrimination and even violence within their communities, at workplace and surroundings. Further studies will improve current understanding of the mental health and psychological concerns other categories of professional caregivers experienced while responding to the pandemic.

Mental health and psychosocial support concerns among frontline workers within the Eastern and Southern Africa COVID-19 response

We carried out a mental health assessment survey of frontline workers in Eastern and Southern Africa regarding COVID-19 pandemic in the region. A total of 723 people responded to the anonymous survey which was available in English, French and Portuguese. Two thirds of respondents felt overwhelmed and the remaining one third expressed fear of the pandemic. Concern about self and one´s wellbeing was associated with the feeling of being supported by one´s supervisor. Frontline workers that acknowledged supervisor support also expressed a significantly better wellbeing than others that did not receive supportive supervision. It is important to strengthen supervisors´ capacity for psychological support to their subordinates. It is also necessary to emphasise the importance of giving attention to staff mental health concerns. Supervisors should provide information on referral opportunities and encourage their staff to take advantage of them when in need of specialised services. While frontline workers have been celebrated worldwide for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports also indicate that some of them are exposed to stigma, discrimination and even violence within their communities, at workplace and surroundings. Further studies will improve current understanding of the mental health and psychological concerns other categories of professional caregivers experienced while responding to the pandemic.

What happens when schools shut down? Investigating inequality in students' reading behavior during Covid-19 in Denmark.

The outbreak of Covid-19 in spring 2020 shut down schools around the world and placed parents in charge of their children's schooling. Research from the lockdown period documents that families differ in their responses to their new responsibility for their children's homeschooling by socioeconomic status and that the Covid-19 crisis has increased educational inequality. The aim of this paper is to examine inequality in children's reading behavior before, during and after the lockdown of schools in Denmark by analyzing new digital data from a widely used reading app combined with administrative data. Our results show, first, that students' online reading behavior increased significantly as a consequence of the lockdown of schools, second, that there is a socioeconomic gradient in students' reading behavior both before and during the lockdown, and, third, that inequality in reading behavior during Covid-19 increased exclusively during the first lockdown period in which schools were closed and students where taught online. Consequently, our results support the findings from previous research documenting a SES gradient in learning opportunities in homeschooling activities during the Covid-19 induced lockdown. Yet, contrary to prior research, we find only a short-term increase in inequality on children's actual reading activity during Covid-19.