ABSTRACT
Research Framework: The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictive measures issued, such as physical distancing and lockdown, have affected social and family ties. These constraints have forced people to reexamine their family and conjugal relationship, the management of family and professional time, their intergenerational connections, and life transitions. Either exacerbating the tensions on conjugal and family life or strengthening these links, this pandemic has also provided an opportunity to explore on new strategies for living together. Objectives: This article offers an overview of the effects and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on families and their members. Methodology: This article is based on a literature review from various social science disciplines. Results: Partial insights were provided on the following questions: What effects did the pandemic have on families and family members? How did families manage the pandemic's economic consequences? What were the repercussions of health measures that were put in place to counter the spread of COVID-19 on couples, children, intergenerational relationships, and mental health? How were mortuary rites and mourning processes affected? Conclusion: This article contributes, beyond the individual and social hardships resulting from COVID-19, to show familial – generational and community – solidarity and resiliency that have emerged, as well as the ways in which families and their members have coped and organized themselves during the pandemic. Contribution: Throughout history, societies have been confronted with epidemics that have affected all spheres of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has once again highlighted the importance, fragility and strength of the social and family ties, along with the challenges of living together. © 2022 Centre - Urbanisation Culture Societe de l'INRS. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Research framework: Using the theoretical frameworks of quality of life and the sociology of technology uses, this qualitative article explores the consequences of lockdown following the COVID-19 pandemic among Spanish students enrolled at the University of Salamanca. Objectives: This article analyzes the impact of lockdown on the quality of life of university students in different spheres, such as residential, mental health, diet, alcohol and drug consumption, physical exercise, use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), academic work, financial repercussions and coping strategies. Methodology: Exploratory interviews were conducted with 12 respondents (6 male and 6 female students) enrolled at the University of Salamanca on the impact of lockdown in the different spheres of life. The transcripts were coded and thematically analyzed to identify the salient dimensions, convergences and differences in the students' experience. Results: This study allowed us to identify the positive and negative repercussions of lockdown following the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life, to identify the repertoire of reactions to this extreme event in the different spheres of life, and in particular in the use of information and communication technologies at the social and academic level. Conclusions: Our analysis allows us to conclude that the lockdown was not always a problematic period, but that it allowed the exploration of existential issues and new behaviours likely to contribute to personal development. Contribution: This article contributes to the research on COVID-19 and university students from a qualitative perspective that is still not widely used in the growing literature on the pandemic. © 2022 Centre - Urbanisation Culture Societe de l'INRS. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background/Case Studies: Decreased blood collection during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in long-term red blood cell (RBC) shortages in the United States. To conserve RBCs, an existing passive alert system for auditing transfusions was modified to activate at a lower hemoglobin (HGB) threshold (6.5g/dL for stable nonbleeding inpatients) during a 9-month shortage at a 400-bed academic medical center. Study Design/Methods: This retrospective study compared the number of single unit RBC transfusions and pre-transfusion HGB levels among inpatients during 9 months of the intervention (Period 2, 06/01/2021- 2/28/2022) to the same period of the previous year (Period 1, 06/01/2020-2/28/2021) to determine whether RBC utilization changed during the intervention. Results/Findings: Overall full unit RBC transfusions to inpatients decreased by 15%. The incidence rate difference and incidence rate ratio of units transfused per 1000 patient-days significantly decreased (p = 0.029). The average pre-transfusion HGB level significantly decreased (p = 0.0002), largely due to significant decreases in HGB transfusion triggers for adult inpatient ward transfusions. Conclusion(s): Modification of the passive alert system was associated with significantly decreased RBC utilization during a long-term RBC shortage at a single center. Modification of transfusion criteria recommended by passive alerts may be a feasible option to decrease RBC utilization during long-term RBC shortages.