Pausing the Pandemic: Understanding and Managing Traveler and Community Spread of COVID-19 in Hawaii

In the absence of a vaccine, nonpharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing and travel reductions were the only strategies for slowing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using survey data from Hawaii (n = 22,200) collected in March through May of 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, the differences between traveler spreaders who brought the disease into the state and community spreaders were investigated. In addition to describing the demographic attributes and comparing them with attributes of those who were vulnerable to COVID-19, logit models explaining travel behaviors were developed and tested. Traveler spreaders were likely to be male, younger, and returning students. Community spreaders were more likely to be male, essential workers, first responders, and medical personnel at the highest risk of exposure. Using spatial statistics, clusters and hotspot locations of high-risk individuals were mapped. As transportation researchers are in a position to combine their critical analytical capabilities and experience with relevant databases on mobility and the spread of infectious diseases, this analysis could support efforts to respond to and slow the spread of the pandemic.

Pausing the Pandemic: Understanding and Managing Traveler and Community Spread of COVID-19 in Hawaii.

In the absence of a vaccine, nonpharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing and travel reductions were the only strategies for slowing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using survey data from Hawaii (n = 22,200) collected in March through May of 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, the differences between traveler spreaders who brought the disease into the state and community spreaders were investigated. In addition to describing the demographic attributes and comparing them with attributes of those who were vulnerable to COVID-19, logit models explaining travel behaviors were developed and tested. Traveler spreaders were likely to be male, younger, and returning students. Community spreaders were more likely to be male, essential workers, first responders, and medical personnel at the highest risk of exposure. Using spatial statistics, clusters and hotspot locations of high-risk individuals were mapped. As transportation researchers are in a position to combine their critical analytical capabilities and experience with relevant databases on mobility and the spread of infectious diseases, this analysis could support efforts to respond to and slow the spread of the pandemic.

Vulnerabilities and risk perceptions of contracting COVID-19 among Nepali migrant workers.

Social, economic, and demographic characteristics influence public disaster risk perception, including the risk of COVID-19. Migrant workers are one the most vulnerable groups to disasters. More than four million Nepali migrant workers are employed abroad, and millions are working in cities and towns in the country. This study analyzes how the social, economic, and demographic conditions of returning Nepali migrant workers determine their risk perceptions of COVID-19. An online national survey was administered from May 10 to July 30, 2020, targeting returning Nepali migrant workers nationwide. A total of 782 responses from migrant workers were recorded, covering 67 of 74 districts. Using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression models, the results show that migrant workers in blue-collar jobs, female, older than 29 years, with pre-existing health conditions, from low-income families, and from larger families are more likely to perceive higher risks of COVID-19. The migrant workers who believe in non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 control measures, including awareness campaigns and stay-at-home orders, have higher risk perceptions of the virus than other groups. The research contributes to identifying the program and policy priority areas to address the needs and COVID-19 vulnerabilities of returning Nepali migrant workers during and after the pandemic.

Small Business and Livelihood: A Study of Pashupatinath UNESCO Heritage Site of Nepal

Small businesses in world heritage sites provide services to visitors and livelihood for residents. Besides the cultural and religious values promoted by these businesses, they also provide socioeconomic support to their owners. The Pashupatinath temple is known as Hindu's major religious and pilgrimage destination in South Asia. Hundreds of businesses around the temple provide services to visitors. This study evaluates the socioeconomic impacts of these small businesses around Pashupatinath temple. Using a survey of 110 businesses, binary logistic regression models find that the owners of larger businesses selling religious supplies in this area are more likely to own houses in Kathmandu and to be more satisfied with their businesses. The study also finds that businesses without permanent stalls faced severe hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed the socioeconomic status of a business owner through house ownership in Kathmandu, and finds that small businesses operating in the premises of the religious heritage site of Pashupatinath temple have a positive relation to the livelihood of the business owners and their families. It concludes that small-scale business in world heritage sites directly contributes to local livelihoods and economies.

The Psychological, Social, and Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on Nepali Migrant Workers

The global pandemic impacted Asian migrant workers disproportionately. During the first COVID-19 nationwide lockdown, Nepali migrant workers faced many challenges due to widespread misconceptions of them being vectors of COVID-19. This research examines COVID-19 impacts on international and internal Nepali migrant workers. A national survey on the social, economic, and psychological challenges of returning Nepali migrant workers was administered online from 10 May to 20 July 2020. A total of 672 responses were received. Using a binary logistic regression model, the research finds that the domestic migrant workers were less likely to get economic support, expect to borrow money during COVID-19, experience negative changes in their personal lives, and expect the COVID-19 contraction. In contrast, international migrant workers were less likely to return to their pre-pandemic employment. The research exposed long-standing vulnerabilities of migrant workers and identified immediate actions from Nepalese Central, Provincial, and Local governments to address their needs. [ FROM AUTHOR]

Factors Associated with Differences in Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Findings from a Nationwide Survey in the United States

Using data from a national survey conducted in the United States during the Spring of 2020, the differences between emergency managers, transportation planners, and others involved in pandemic disaster response in terms of risk perception and protective actions are investigated.  The study found that 92 percent of respondents reported implementing voluntary actions with 35 percent reporting quarantine and 37 percent reporting isolation actions. The attributes of respondents and the agencies and communities they work in are categorized in terms of personal, disciplinary, or professional backgrounds, as attributes such as urban versus rural, coastal versus non-coastal, and other factors.  Three dependent variables are modeled including  1) risk tolerance;2) level of preparedness (including support for training), and 3) implementation of protective measures for social distancing, quarantine, and isolation to ascertain the influences of personal, professional, and regional, locational characteristics. A risk tolerance score is implemented by asking respondents “what percentage of the population would need to be sick to implement voluntary and non-voluntary actions. Using Poisson regression analysis and correspondence analysis, the patterns, associations, and clustering of backgrounds and other attributes are modeled to show the relationships between risk perceptions, preparedness, and professional backgrounds. In addition to identifying which places and people are more inclined to support protective actions for the pandemic, this analysis also helps to demonstrate the intersections and mutual interests across public health, transportation, and emergency management.  Overall, this study found a low level of preparedness for the pandemic with 70 percent of the respondents supporting additional training.

Pausing the Pandemic: Understanding and Managing Traveler and Community Spread of COVID-19 in Hawaii

In the absence of a vaccine, non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing and travel reductions have become the only strategies for slowing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Using survey data from Hawaii (n = 22,200) collected in March through May of 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, the differences between traveler spreaders, who brought the disease into the state and community spreaders are investigated.  In addition to describing the demographic attributes of these two groups and comparing them to others vulnerable to COVID-19 disease, using logistic and multivariate regression models, characteristics, travel behaviors, and transport modes are examined. Traveler spreaders are likely to be male, younger, and likely to be returning students (not classified as employed) while community spreaders are also more likely to be male, essential workers, first responders, and medical personnel at the highest risk of exposure. A risk of infection score is also derived and analyzed to identify and assess attributes of individuals most likely to contract the disease. Using spatial statistics, hotspots, and clusters of locations of high-risk individuals are mapped and analyzed. The analysis supports efforts to better understand, respond, and slow the spread of the pandemic. Transportation researchers provide critical analytical capabilities and experience with relevant databases on mobility and the spread of infectious diseases.

Impacts of COVID-19 Travel Restrictions on Paratransit Users in Honolulu, Hawaii

Using comprehensive data on 48,000 paratransit trips in the City and County of Honolulu, following the initial onset of COVID-19, changes in travel behavior of paratransit users are described. Honolulu has one of the largest paratransit systems in the nation. The analysis provides insight into the effects of Covid-19 on paratransit users. In addition to a sharp reduction in total paratransit trips (63%), non-essential trips fell by a greater proportion (96 percent). Overall medical trips decreased by 69.23%, yet trips for dialysis increased by 3.76%,while other health-related service trips fell by 66.3%. Other trip purposes including church, education, daycare, work, and personal are examined for selected weeks to compare representative day by day and week by week changes. The declines in trip-making demonstrate not just a reduction in transportation services to vulnerable populations but also diminished support of the functioning, wellbeing, and quality of life among paratransit users. Trip destinations were mapped and analysed as to clusters which could be compared to disease outbreak hotspots or locations with large public gatherings where the risks of contagion could be higher. While the full impacts of the travel restrictions and the pandemic have yet to be accounted for, efforts to maintain and improve paratransit services require flexible, adaptive, and innovative approaches during and after the health crisis. Strategies for the protection of users and operators and continued services include improved sanitation, continued testing and monitoring of operators and users, better report and data sharing systems, and continued commitment to innovation and service quality.