COVID-19 and Global Poverty and Food Security

The impacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on food systems, poverty, and nutrition have been caused by generalized economic recession and disruptions in agrifood supply chains. This article reviews a growing empirical literature assessing those impacts. The review confirms that income shocks and supply disruptions have affected food security and livelihoods more where supply chains were poorly integrated and poverty where market informality had a greater presence before COVID-19. Yet, as the pandemic persists, outcomes remain uncertain and reliable data are still sparsely available. This review also reveals how methodological approaches have evolved during the pandemic, ranging from model-based scenario analyses, telephone survey evidence, case-study analyses, and data collection on policy responses and their effects. This review concludes that while we have good insight into the COVID-19 pandemic's impacts on food security, there is still much that we do not know, requiring much more rigorous hypothesis testing based on reliable and observed data.

An Evaluation of the Keeping Well at Home Booklet

Background In the first wave of COVID-19, the UK Government relied heavily on digital channels to provide information to the public. This disproportionately excluded older people - one of the groups with least access to (or experience of) using the internet. Approximately 11.5 million people in the UK lack digital skills and 4.8 million people never go online, with around half (51%) of these being aged over 65. The Greater Manchester (GM) response was to work collaboratively with a number of key Ageing groups to develop Keeping Well at Home, a booklet providing evidence based health and wellbeing information and advice for older people during COVID-19 restrictions. Methods An evaluation of the booklet was undertaken during summer 2020 by the Healthy Ageing team at the Applied Research Collaboration GM. As national restrictions on movement remained in place at the time, a postal questionnaire was distributed to a sample of older adults in GM. Results Nearly 500 questionnaires were returned. The response was overwhelmingly positive;92% found the information helpful;90% agreed the booklet would help older people stay healthy during lockdown;74% had used the home exercises section;78% found the tips for keeping their mind well helpful. Around 50% of respondents did not have internet access. Paper based resources was the preferred choice for 92% of respondents with only 6% opting for digital versions. Conclusions The evidence from the evaluation challenges the growing trend towards communicating just through digital channels, and emphasises the need for tailored paper-based materials for older adults. The Keeping Well at Home booklet also shows the value of working with older adults to ensure the content and design are inviting to readers. Information, support and services must be made available in an offline equivalent and proactively disseminated to reach those who otherwise would not have access to it. Key messages Print-based communications are preferred over digital for some groups;ensuring inclusivity is critical as the ‘digital by default’ approach excludes large numbers of our population. Including target group representatives as co-editors to advise on content and stylistic design is key to ensure content is relevant and useful.

Epidemic disease risks and implications for Veterinary Services.

Growth in the livestock sector is associated with heightened risk for epidemic diseases. The increasing spillover of new diseases from wildlife is being driven by wide-scale anthropogenic changes allowing for more frequent and closer wildlife-human and wildlife-livestock contacts. An increasing number of epidemics in livestock are associated with rapid transition of livestock systems from extensive to intensive, and local to global movement of livestock and their products through value chain networks with weak biosecurity. Major livestock epidemics in the past two decades have had substantial economic impacts, and the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the devastating socio-economic consequences that spillovers can have when not identified and controlled early in the process of emergence. This highlights the importance of Veterinary Services to integrated, whole-of-society efforts to control infectious diseases in animals. Emphasis within Veterinary Services must be placed on prevention and preparedness. The authors suggest four areas for continued improvement in Veterinary Services to meet this challenge. These are a) continued development of staff capacity for risk assessment and value chain analysis, together with improved policies and communication, b) appropriate adaptation of approaches to prevention and control in resource-poor settings, c) improved multi-sectoral and transboundary cooperation, which enables the sharing of resources and expertise, and d) systematic approaches that enable Veterinary Services to influence decisionmaking for trade, markets, business, public health, and livelihood development at the national and regional levels.

La croissance du secteur de l'élevage est associée à un risque accru de maladies épidémiques. Les changements anthropiques à grande échelle sont à l'origine du nombre croissant de maladies émergentes atteignant de nouvelles espèces réceptives (spillover) à partir de réservoirs sauvages, à la faveur de contacts plus fréquents et plus rapprochés entre la faune sauvage et les humains, d'une part, et entre la faune sauvage et les animaux domestiques, d'autre part. On considère qu'un nombre croissant d'épidémies affectant le bétail sont dues à la transition rapide des systèmes d'élevage extensif vers des systèmes intensifs, et aux mouvements du bétail et des produits de l'élevage de l'échelle locale à l'échelle mondiale par le biais de réseaux de chaînes de valeur dotés d'un faible niveau de biosécurité. Au cours des deux dernières décennies, d'importantes épidémies affectant le bétail ont eu un impact économique considérable ; en outre, la pandémie de COVID-19 a mis en évidence les conséquences socio-économiques dévastatrices des atteintes de nouvelles espèces réceptives par des agents pathogènes, lorsque ces maladies ne sont pas détectées et maîtrisées dès le processus d'émergence. Cela souligne l'importance cruciale des Services vétérinaires dans les efforts de lutte contre les maladies infectieuses chez les animaux, qui doivent être intégrés et mobiliser la société entière. Les Services vétérinaires doivent mettre un accent particulier sur la prévention et la préparation. Les auteurs proposent quatre aspects d'amélioration continue pour que les Services vétérinaires puissent relever ce défi. Il s'agit : a) du développement permanent des compétences des personnels vétérinaires en matière d'évaluation du risque et d'analyse des chaînes de valeur, et leur articulation avec de meilleures politiques et une communication plus performante ; b) une adaptation adéquate des méthodes de prévention et de contrôle dans les configurations faiblement dotées en ressources ; c) une meilleure coopération multisectorielle et transfrontalière afin de partager les ressources et les compétences ; d) des dispositifs systémiques permettant aux Services vétérinaires d'influencer les prises de décision en matière d'échanges internationaux, de marchés, de commerce, de santé publique et de développement des moyens de subsistance, à l'échelle nationale et régionale.

El crecimiento del sector pecuario está condicionado por la existencia de un mayor riesgo de enfermedades epidémicas. La creciente diseminación de nuevas enfermedades a partir de animales silvestres es consecuencia de transformaciones antrópicas a gran escala que posibilitan un contacto más frecuente y estrecho de la fauna silvestre con el ser humano y el ganado. Cada vez son más las epidemias del ganado que tienen que ver con la rápida transición de los sistemas pecuarios de un régimen de producción extensiva a otro de producción intensiva y con el paso de la dimensión local a la mundial de la circulación de animales y sus derivados a través de redes de cadenas de valor que presentan una endeble seguridad biológica. En los últimos dos decenios ha habido grandes epidemias que han afectado al ganado y tenido importantes consecuencias económicas. La pandemia de COVID-19 es un elocuente ejemplo de los devastadores efectos socioeconómicos que puede tener la extensión de un patógeno cuando no se detecta y controla en un momento lo bastante precoz del proceso de emergencia. Ello pone de relieve la importancia que revisten los Servicios Veterinarios para que toda la sociedad pueda reaccionar de forma integrada a la hora de combatir las enfermedades infecciosas de los animales. Dentro de los Servicios Veterinarios, conviene poner el acento en la prevención y la preparación. Para lograr este objetivo los autores señalan cuatro ámbitos que exigen una constante mejora: a) el desarrollo continuo de la capacidad del personal en materia de determinación de riesgos y análisis de cadenas de valor, ligado a la mejora de las políticas y la comunicación; b) la adecuada adaptación de los métodos de prevención y control en contextos de escasos recursos; c) una mejor cooperación multisectorial y transfronteriza, que permita poner en común recursos y competencias técnicas; y d) enfoques sistemáticos que hagan posible que los Servicios Veterinarios influyan en los procesos decisorios relativos al desarrollo del comercio, los mercados, las empresas, la salud pública y los medios de sustento a escala tanto nacional como regional.

Experiences, perspectives, and emerging frameworks: COLINET libraries response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to detail the experiences, perspectives and emerging framework for the delivery of library services by member libraries of the College Libraries Information Network (COLINET) at the onset and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jamaica. Design/methodology/approach: An exploratory sequential mixed approach was used for this study. Qualitative data was collected initially using a semi-structured interview with a virtual focus group comprising seven librarians from the COLINET in Jamaica. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants for the focus group. The second phase of data collection used an online survey through Google Forms to the membership of COLINET;19 of 31 libraries (61.2%) responded to the survey. Findings: The findings reveal the current status of library operation and service delivery at the COLINET member libraries. The impact of COVID-19 on staffing arrangements, support and engagement, library resources and services are seen through the lens of the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic. Research limitations/implications: In total, 19 of the 31 libraries in COLINET responded to the survey;therefore, the researchers were unable to get a comprehensive assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on COLINET libraries. Practical implications: This study will assist libraries in their response to COVID-19 and other similar future national public health crises. The findings and recommendations can provide a blueprint for developing policies and procedures for libraries during a national health crisis. Additionally, it will add to the empirical literature on Caribbean libraries. Originality/value: This study is essential for libraries responding to the coronavirus pandemic in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region. This study examines the response of academic libraries from diverse tertiary institutions;exploring their challenges, solutions and emerging frameworks;making it representative and inclusive for academic libraries. This study advances the limited research that exists with regard to Caribbean libraries and the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.

COVID-19 and global food security. (Special Issue:Covid-19 pandemic impacts on agri-food systems.)

Covid-19 has major implications for global food security. The virus itself and the policy reactions have triggered a massive recession and major disruptions in food value chains. The combination of both has been dramatic for the food and nutrition security of billions of poor people around the world. The impacts are heterogeneous, depending on the nature of the commodity, the resource-intensity of the food systems, and the level of economic development. Covid-19 affects the food security and nutrition of poor people more strongly than that of richer people. Women, children and migrants are particularly affected. It is important to balance movement control and other social distancing measures with policy initiatives to improve the food and nutrition security and livelihoods of vulnerable groups. A crucial issue moving forward is to make food supply chains, and food systems generally, more resilient for the future. While many food systems have been significantly disrupted, others have been more resilient, with food supplies relatively unaffected. Innovations are helping to overcome obstacles and make food supply chains more resilient for the future. Overall, the insights and lessons from Covid-19 should help to design better policies and build more resilient and inclusive food systems for the future.

ALEMTUZUMAB FOR CHRONIC LUNG ALLOGRAFT DYSFUNCTION

SESSION TITLE: Transplantation Posters SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 PURPOSE: Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) remains the leading cause of long-term mortality after lung transplantation (LTX) with no proven therapeutic strategies except re-transplantation. Anecdotal reports suggest a role for the lymphocyte depleting agent, Alemtuzumab (AL), an anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody. We reviewed our experience with AL for the treatment of refractory CLAD. METHODS: Eight consecutive LTX recipients were identified. AL was given as a single subcutaneous dose of 30 mg. Cell-cycle inhibitor therapy was held and valganciclovir and azole prophylaxis were given for at least 6 months after AL treatment. The slope of FEV1 3 months before and after AL were compared. Complications of AL therapy including infections and survival were assessed. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 5 males and 3 females with a median age at time of AL administration of 66 y (range: 50-72). Time post-transplant was 2.43 y (range: 1.4-5.4). Pre-transplant diagnoses were COPD (n=3), and 1 each of CF, bronchiectasis (immotile cilia syndrome), IPF, PVOD and IPAH. All subjects were bilateral recipients and 1 was post-left pneumonectomy early after transplant. All had a predominantly obstructive CLAD phenotype, stages 4 (N=2), 3 (N=4), 2 (N=1) and 1 (N=1) with rapid loss of lung function. The median slope of decline in FEV1 in the 3 months prior to AL was -336ml/m (range: -39 to -552) compared with +24 ml/m (range: -171 to +48) during the 3 months post AL administration (P = 0.016). No acute reactions to AL treatment were observed. Clinically symptomatic infections occurred in 4 patients following AL. Community acquired respiratory viral infections were observed in 2 (parainfluenza and coronavirus on 2 separate occasions in 1 patient and rhinovirus in another). Pseudomonas tracheobronchitis developed in 1. These infections were considered mild-moderate. One subject developed new parenchymal opacities with isolation of Rasamsonia argillacea and Mycobacterium fortuitum. Two patients died due to progressive CLAD 3 and 6 months after AL. The other six are alive at a median follow-up time of 12 months (range: 7 – 20). Kaplan-Meier survival estimate at one year was 75%. At last follow-up, CLAD stages among survivors was 4 (N=1), 3 (N=4) and 2 (N=1). CONCLUSIONS: AL therapy was associated with a significant attenuation in lung function decline in lung transplant recipients with rapidly progressive CLAD. Treatment was generally well tolerated with few serious infection complications. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: AL should be considered for rapidly progressive CLAD. Randomized controlled trials are required to establish efficacy and safety. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Reda Girgis, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Ryan Hadley, source=Web Response no disclosure submitted for Anupam Kumar;No relevant relationships by Cameron Lawson, source=Web Response no disclosure on file for Marzia Leacche;No relevant relationships by Jennifer McDermott, source=Web Response no disclosure on file for Edward Murphy;No relevant relationships by Gayathri Sathiyamoorthy, source=Web Response