Risk aversion and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

We here investigate the role of risk aversion in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The theoretical effect is ambiguous, as both COVID-19 infection and vaccination side-effects involve probabilistic elements. In large-scale data covering five European countries, we find that vaccine hesitancy falls with risk aversion, so that COVID-19 infection is perceived as involving greater risk than is vaccination.

SARS-CoV-2 coinfections with variant genomic lineages identified by multiplex fragment analysis.

Immunocompromised patients can experience prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infections in the setting of a lack of protectivity immunity despite vaccination. As circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains become more heterogeneous, concomitant infection with multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants has become an increasing concern. Immunocompromised patient populations represent potential reservoirs for the emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants through mutagenic change or coinfection followed by recombinatory events. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 coinfections is challenging using traditional next generation sequencing pipelines; however, targeted genotyping approaches can facilitate detection. Here we describe five COVID-19 cases caused by coinfection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants (Delta/Omicron BA.1 and Omicron BA.1/BA.2) as identified by multiplex fragment analysis.

The impact of COVID-19 lockdown stringency on loneliness in five European countries.

RATIONALE: The coronavirus pandemic has forced governments to implement a variety of different dynamic lockdown-stringency strategies in the last two years. Extensive lockdown periods could have potential unintended consequences on mental health, at least for at-risk groups. OBJECTIVE: We present novel evidence on the heterogeneous direct and indirect effects of lockdown-stringency measures on individuals' perception of social isolation (i.e. loneliness) using panel data from five European countries (Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Sweden), which tracks changes in both in-person and remote social interactions between May 2020 and March 2021. METHOD: We combine data from the COME-HERE panel survey (University of Luxembourg) and the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT). We implement a dynamic mixture model in order to estimate the loneliness sub-population classes based on the severity of loneliness, as well as the evolution of social interactions. RESULTS: While loneliness is remarkably persistent over time, we find substantial heterogeneity across individuals, identifying four latent groups by loneliness severity. Group membership probability varies with age, gender, education and cohabitation status. Moreover, we note significant differences in the impact of social interactions on loneliness by degree of severity. Older people are less likely to feel lonely, but were more affected by lockdown measures, partly due to a reduction in face-to-face interactions. On the contrary, the younger, especially those living alone, report high levels of loneliness that are largely unaffected by changes in the pandemic after lockdown measures were initially implemented. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the heterogeneity in loneliness is key for the identification of at-risk populations that can be severely affected by extended lockdown measures. As part of public-health crisis-response systems, it is critical to develop support measures for older individuals living alone, as well as promoting continuous remote communication for individuals more likely to experience high levels of loneliness.

Gender, loneliness and happiness during COVID-19.

We analyse a measure of loneliness from a representative sample of German individuals interviewed in both 2017 and at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Both men and women felt lonelier during the COVID-19 pandemic than they did in 2017. The pandemic more than doubled the gender loneliness gap: women were lonelier than men in 2017, and the 2017-2020 rise in loneliness was far larger for women. This rise is mirrored in life-satisfaction scores. Men's life satisfaction changed only little between 2017 and 2020; yet that of women fell dramatically, and sufficiently so to produce a female penalty in life satisfaction. We estimate that almost all of this female penalty is explained by the disproportionate rise in loneliness for women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SARS-CoV-2 coinfections with variant genomic lineages identified by multiplex fragment analysis

Immunocompromised patients can experience prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infections in the setting of a lack of protectivity immunity despite vaccination. As circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains become more heterogeneous, concomitant infection with multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants has become an increasing concern. Immunocompromised patient populations represent potential reservoirs for the emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants through mutagenic change or coinfection followed by recombinatory events. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 coinfections is challenging using traditional next generation sequencing pipelines;however, targeted genotyping approaches can facilitate detection. Here we describe five COVID-19 cases caused by coinfection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants (Delta/Omicron BA.1 and Omicron BA.1/BA.2) as identified by multiplex fragment analysis.

Characteristics associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

Understanding what lies behind actual COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is fundamental to help policy makers increase vaccination rates and reach herd immunity. We use June 2021 data from the COME-HERE survey to explore the predictors of actual vaccine hesitancy in France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Sweden. We estimate a linear-probability model with a rich set of covariates and address issues of common-method variance. 13% of our sample say they do not plan to be vaccinated. Post-Secondary education, home-ownership, having an underlying health condition, and one standard-deviation higher age or income are all associated with lower vaccine hesitancy of 2-4.5% points. Conservative-leaning political attitudes and a one standard-deviation lower degree of confidence in the government increase this probability by 3 and 6% points respectively. Vaccine hesitancy in Spain and Sweden is significantly lower than in the other countries.

Multiplex Fragment Analysis for Flexible Detection of All SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants continue to emerge, and effective tracking requires rapid return of results. Surveillance of variants is typically performed by whole genome sequencing (WGS), which can be financially prohibitive and requires specialized equipment and bioinformatic expertise. Genotyping approaches are rapid methods for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variants but require continuous adaptation. Fragment analysis may represent an approach for improved SARS-CoV-2 variant detection. METHODS: A multiplex fragment analysis approach (CoVarScan) was validated using PCR targeting variants by size and fluorescent color. Eight SARS-CoV-2 mutational hot spots in variants of concern (VOCs) were targeted. Three primer pairs (recurrently deleted region [RDR] 1, RDR2, and RDR3-4) flank RDRs in the S-gene. Three allele-specific primers target recurrent spike receptor binding domain mutants. Lastly, 2 primer pairs target recurrent deletions or insertions in ORF1A and ORF8. Fragments were resolved and analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (ABI 3730XL), and mutational signatures were compared to WGS results. RESULTS: We validated CoVarScan using 3544 clinical respiratory specimens. The assay exhibited 96% sensitivity and 99% specificity compared to WGS. The limit of detection for the core targets (RDR1, RDR2, and ORF1A) was 5 copies/reaction. Variants were identified in 95% of samples with cycle threshold (CT) <30 and 75% of samples with a CT 34 to 35. Assay design was frozen April 2021, but all subsequent VOCs have been detected including Delta (n = 2820), Mu, (n = 6), Lambda (n = 6), and Omicron (n = 309). Genotyping results are available in as little as 4 h. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplex fragment analysis is adaptable and rapid and has similar accuracy to WGS to classify SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Correction to: the Fall in Income Inequality during COVID-19 in Four European Countries.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s10888-021-09499-2.].

The fall in income inequality during COVID-19 in four European countries.

We here use panel data from the COME-HERE survey to track income inequality during COVID-19 in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Relative inequality in equivalent household disposable income among individuals changed in a hump-shaped way between January 2020 and January 2021, with an initial rise from January to May 2020 being more than reversed by September 2020. Absolute inequality also fell over this period. Due to the pandemic some households lost more than others, and government compensation schemes were targeted towards the poorest, implying that on average income differences decreased. Generalized Lorenz domination reveals that these distributive changes reduced welfare in Italy. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10888-021-09499-2.

COVID-19 compliance behaviors of older people: The role of cognitive and non-cognitive skills.

This paper examines the empirical relationship between individuals' cognitive and non-cognitive abilities and COVID-19 compliance behaviors using cross-country data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). We find that both cognitive and non-cognitive skills predict responsible health behaviors during the COVID-19 crisis. Episodic memory is the most important cognitive skill, while conscientiousness and neuroticism are the most significant personality traits. There is also some evidence of a role for an internal locus of control in compliance.

Pandemic Policy and Life Satisfaction in Europe.

We use data from the COME-HERE longitudinal survey collected by the University of Luxembourg to assess the effects of the policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic on life satisfaction in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden over the course of 2020. Policy responses are measured by the Stringency Index and the Economic Support Index from the Blavatnik School of Government. Stringency is systematically associated with lower life satisfaction, controlling for the intensity of the pandemic itself. This stringency effect is larger for women, those with weak ties to the labor market, and in richer households. The effect of the Economic Support is never statistically different from zero.

Serological Response in Lung Transplant Recipients after Two Doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccines.

BACKGROUND: Lung-transplant (LT) recipients are at high risk for COVID-19 due to immunosuppression and respiratory tropism of SARS-CoV-2. The information on the effect of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines to elicit immunogenic responses after a two-dose (2D) regimen in LT recipients is sparse. Thus, we assessed the effect of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines' 2D regimen on anti-spike responses in immunocompromised LT recipients. METHODS: We utilized serum samples from LT recipients vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 with 2D of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines and 2D-vaccinated naïve (non-transplanted and non-exposed to COVID-19) group. Antibody responses were assessed using the FDA-approved SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid protein IgG assay (IgGNC), the SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike protein IgM assay (IgMSP), and the SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike protein IgG II assay (IgGSP). CD4+ T-cell activity was assessed as a marker of immune competence using the ImmuKnow® assay. RESULTS: About 25% (18/73) of SARS-CoV-2 uninfected-LT patients generated a positive spike-IgG response following 2D of vaccines, with 36% (9/25) in the Moderna cohort and only 19% (9/48) in the Pfizer cohort. 2D in LT patients elicited a significantly lesser median IgGSP response (1.7 AU/mL, 95% CI: 0.6-7.5 AU/mL) compared to non-transplanted, uninfected naïve subjects (14,209 AU/mL, 95% CI: 11,261-18,836 AU/mL; p < 0.0001). In LT patients, the Moderna-evoked seropositivity trend was higher than Pfizer. CONCLUSION: 2D COVID-19 vaccination elicits a dampened serological response in LT patients. Whether assessing other arms of host immunity combined with a higher vaccine dose can better capture and elicit improved immunogenicity in this immunocompromised population warrants investigation.

Clinical Evaluation of the Abbott Alinity SARS-CoV-2 Spike-Specific Quantitative IgG and IgM Assays among Infected, Recovered, and Vaccinated Groups.

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to impose a significant burden on global health infrastructure. While identification and containment of new cases remain important, laboratories must now pivot and consider an assessment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunity in the setting of the recent availability of multiple COVID-19 vaccines. Here, we have utilized the latest Abbott Alinity semiquantitative IgM and quantitative IgG spike protein (SP) serology assays (IgMSP and IgGSP) in combination with Abbott Alinity IgG nucleocapsid (NC) antibody test (IgGNC) to assess antibody responses in a cohort of 1,236 unique participants comprised of naive, SARS-CoV-2-infected, and vaccinated (including both naive and recovered) individuals. The IgMSP and IgGSP assays were highly specific (100%) with no cross-reactivity to archived samples collected prior to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, including those from individuals with seasonal coronavirus infections. Clinical sensitivity was 96% after 15 days for both IgMSP and IgGSP assays individually. When considered together, the sensitivity was 100%. A combination of NC- and SP-specific serologic assays clearly differentiated naive, SARS-CoV-2-infected, and vaccine-related immune responses. Vaccination resulted in a significant increase in IgGSP and IgMSP values, with a major rise in IgGSP following the booster (second) dose in the naive group. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2-recovered individuals had several-fold higher IgGSP responses than naive following the primary dose, with a comparatively dampened response following the booster. This work illustrates the strong clinical performance of these new serological assays and their utility in evaluating and distinguishing serological responses to infection and vaccination.

Compensating for academic loss: Online learning and student performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread school shutdowns, with many continuing distance education via online-learning platforms. We here estimate the causal effects of online education on student exam performance using administrative data from Chinese Middle Schools. Taking a difference-in-differences approach, we find that receiving online education during the COVID-19 lockdown improved student academic results by 0.22 of a standard deviation, relative to pupils without learning support from their school. Not all online education was equal: students who were given recorded online lessons from external higher-quality teachers had higher exam scores than those whose lessons were recorded by teachers from their own school. The educational benefits of distance learning were the same for rural and urban students, but the exam performance of students who used a computer for online education was better than those who used a smartphone. Last, while everyone except the very-best students performed better with online learning, it was low achievers who benefited from teacher quality.

COVID-19, lockdowns and well-being: Evidence from Google Trends.

The COVID-19 pandemic and government intervention such as lockdowns may severely affect people's mental health. While lockdowns can help to contain the spread of the virus, they may result in substantial damage to population well-being. We use Google Trends data to test whether COVID-19 and the associated lockdowns implemented in Europe and America led to changes in well-being related topic search-terms. Using difference-in-differences and a regression discontinuity design, we find a substantial increase in the search intensity for boredom in Europe and the US. We also found a significant increase in searches for loneliness, worry and sadness, while searches for stress, suicide and divorce on the contrary fell. Our results suggest that people's mental health may have been severely affected by the pandemic and lockdown.

COVID-19, Lockdowns and Well-Being: Evidence from Google Trends

From the Abstract: The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has led many governments to implement lockdowns. While lockdowns may help to contain the spread of the virus, they may result in substantial damage to population well-being. We use Google Trends data to test whether the lockdowns implemented in Europe and America led to changes in well-being related topic search terms. Using differences-in-differences and a regression discontinuity design to evaluate the causal effects of lockdown, we find a substantial increase in the search intensity for boredom in Europe and the US. We also found a significant increase in searches for loneliness, worry and sadness, while searches for stress, suicide and divorce on the contrary fell. Our results suggest that people's mental health may have been severely affected by the lockdown.COVID-19 (Disease);Social Distancing;Public health