Learning to unlearn, and then relearn: Thinking about teacher education within the COVID-19 pandemic crisis

For decades now, in the context of teacher education, we have been discussing the importance of paying attention to the fast and profound changes both in society and in people’s personal lives, as a consequence of the widespread use of new digital technologies. Yet, not much has changed in schools, where traditional teaching still rules. Students continue to be more knowledge consumers than active knowledge producers;besides, the use of technology for educational purposes remains as either a threat or an unattainable goal. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has compelled educational institutions to rethink the role of technology in education. In this article, we comment on the crisis that has struck higher education and how it has set our institutions and ourselves, as professors and teacher educators, into a deep process of rethinking our past practices and reimagining our future. © 2021, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Faculdade de Letras. All rights reserved.

Comprime - Conhecer mais para intervir melhor: Preliminary mapping of municipal level determinants of covid-19 transmission in Portugal at different moments of the 1st epidemic wave

Background: The role of demographic and socio-economic determinants of COVID-19 transmission is still unclear and is expected to vary in different contexts and epidemic periods. Exploring such determinants may generate a hypothesis about transmission and aid the definition of prevention strategies. Objectives: To identify municipality-level demographic and socio-economic determinants of COVID-19 in Portugal. Methods: We assessed determinants of COVID-19 daily cases at 4 moments of the first COVID-19 epidemic wave in Portugal, related with lockdown and post-lockdown measures. We selected 60 potential determinants from 5 dimensions: population and settlement, disease, economy, social context, and mobility. We conducted a multiple linear regression (MLR) stepwise analysis (p < 0.05) and an artificial neural network (ANN) analysis with the variables to identify predictors of the number of daily cases. Results: For MLR, some of the identified variables were: resident population and population density, exports, overnight stays in touristic facilities, the location quotient of employment in accommodation, catering and similar activities, education, restaurants and lodging, some industries and building construction, the share of the population working outside the municipality, the net migration rate, income, and renting. In ANN, some of the identified variables were: population density and resident population, urbanization, students in higher education, income, exports, social housing buildings, production services employment, and the share of the population working outside the municipality of residence. Conclusions: Several factors were identified as possible determinants of CO-VID-19 transmission at the municipality level. Despite limitations to the study, we believe that this information should be considered to promote communication and prevention approaches. Further research should be conducted. © 2021 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

New coronavirus, old inequalities: distribution of cases, deaths and lethality by SARS arising from covid-19 in the City of Recife

The aim of the study was to reveal how the COVID-19 pandemic spread in the city of Recife, pinpointing the existence of inequalities in the rates of confirmed cases, mortality and lethality of the disease in the different socio-territorial configurations of the city. For the purpose of this study, data from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) were used, as they were the only ones available on the intra-urban scale. A grouping of the city's neighborhoods was carried out in five strata, considering the percentage of the neighborhood area in precarious settlements using the ArcGis 10.1 software. It was found that the record of cases of SARS in relation to the resident population is higher in the set of neighborhoods with a lower proportion of precarious settlements. Conversely, lethality rate is higher in strata with a higher proportion of precarious settlements. There was also a correspondence between strata, per capita income distribution and the black population. The data reveal an inequality in the impact of the disease on the population of Recife, suggesting that the diagnosis by SARS still seems to be a privilege of part of the population residing in the wealthier areas, while the healing capacity of the populations of precarious settlements is reduced. The results help to understand the uneven impact of the disease in the different territories of the city, where it was observed that, in areas of precarious living conditions, there was less response from the health system.

Cooking skills during the Covid-19 pandemic

This article aims to present reflections on cooking skills in times of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The current period of uncertainty and isolation heightens food insecurity issues, influencing food choice, purchase, and preparation. Social media and networks are sources of entertainment and learning, with vast resources for cooking skills, which can stimulate home cooking and strengthen family ties. Research has evidenced the positive relationship between cooking and diet quality, an important factor for groups at increased risk of severe illness from Covid-19. For some individuals, cooking may be a strategy to reduce anxiety and stress associated with the pandemic. However, the Brazilian reality is marked by inequalities in income and access to food. Thus, more vulnerable populations may not have the same relationship with cooking. Public policies should focus on food and nutrition programs and actions for the development of cooking skills as a means to promote healthy eating and encourage self-care.

COVID-19: what reasons led patients to seek emergency care during the pandemic?

Objective: To analyze the reason why patients sought emergency eye care during the pandemic of COVID-19. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study based on the analysis of medical records of patients seen at an ophthalmology emergency department of a private service in the city of Santos (SP) between March 11, 2020 and July 16, 2020. Results: A total of 386 patients were seen in the analyzed period. Most appointments (60.36%) were attended by women. People between 19 and 59 years old were the ones who most sought the emergency room (57.25%). When considering the profession of these patients, students and retired people presented the same proportion (10.26%), followed by housewives (6.99%). Of the total number of cases seen, 59 patients were diagnosed with conjunctivitis, while 58 were diagnosed with eye and orbit trauma. Conclusion: In the analyzed period, the ophthalmology emergency care predominantly received women in the age group between 19 and 59 years old, and the most frequent diagnoses were conjunctivitis and trauma.