ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the Swedish legal frameworks and policy approaches which were taken in order to counter the Covid-19 pandemic in Sweden. It examines, inter alia the social distancing measures that were introduced, testing, contact tracing as well as the Swedish legislators' and Swedish authorities' efforts to balance civil liberties with effective public health measures. The chapter explains why this is so, and the impact that the constitution and the existing legal framework for dealing with pandemics has had on policy choices in Sweden. The first thing as regards the Swedish constitutional context is that there is no provision in the Swedish constitution for the declaration of a state of emergency in peacetime, only in war or where there is an imminent danger of war. The fact that the Swedish constitution is silent on peace time crisis means that the ordinary legislative procedure as a main rule applies also during a crisis. © 2023 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
ABSTRACT
The use of drone technology in the construction sector promises faster and more streamlined working practices. Forward-thinking contractors are investing in digitizing their operations and the use of drones with the capability of providing real-time site information is already a reality. Deploying drones for site inspections can help construction and safety managers avoid placing workers in precarious situations and the ability to quickly gather site aerial data can be invaluable. This study focuses on creating a drone flying game for inspecting a virtual construction site and identifying potential safety hazards. The single-player, user-focused game is built using the Unity game engine for WebGL which renders interactive 3D graphics to be played in modern web browsers without the use of plug-ins. The game’s aim is to give a simulated experience of piloting a drone and using it to identify potential hazards in an active simulated construction site, and educating players of the effectiveness of using drones for this task, without the real-world risk of collision, damage or injury. Preliminary findings from 47 purposive sampled participants revealed that the drone game was engaging;participants found the game intuitive to use and easy to pilot the drone;the hazards and the simulated construction environment were realistic;and the game satisfies the main aim of highlighting the benefits of using drones on a construction site. The target audience for user experience and usability testing are construction and safety managers, construction professionals and students working in the industry. The skills acquired from playing the educational drone game for virtual construction site inspection and monitoring could be successfully applied when flying a real drone on a live construction site. The significance of learning how to fly drones for site inspection during Covid-19 pandemic where workers need to be physically distanced is timely and relevant. Copyright © 2022 Lawani, Hare, Cameron, Homatash and Campbell.
ABSTRACT
Background Preferred treatment for most patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer and liver metastasis is LCCRT, followed by 2 stage or, less commonly, synchronous resection. Under the shadow of the first wave of COVID in the UK, with the associated surgical guidance, more synchronous resections were carried out. Aim Describe changes in surgical strategy in managing patients with CR cancer and resectable liver metastasis during the initial wave of the COVID 19 pandemic. Methods Retrospective case notes analysis of all patients diagnosed with resectable colorectal primary and liver metastases during the first 6 months of 2020 at a single centre. Outcomes at post-operative MDT were also reviewed. Results Six (mean age 61.8 years, M:F ratio 2:1, all ECOG 0) patients underwent synchronous resection between April and June. Four (66.6%) of these still had neo adjuvant systemic therapy (received before pandemic outbreak). The remaining Two proceeded straight to SR, with both receiving MDT recommendation for adjuvant chemotherapy. Three patients experienced R1 resection and went on to further chemotherapy/resection, two further went on for discussion of adjuvant chemotherapy, and one remained on intensive surveillance. Conclusions Synchronous resection could provide acceptable outcomes for patients and reduce their COVID risk exposure in the short term. The balance between managing surgically resectable cancers in a timely fashion and the risks of morbidity and mortality in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic becomes more critical as time progresses. Further observation of the changes in management driven by this pandemic, and the resulting outcomes are warranted.