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The first cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. Four months later around 1.699595 million people globally are infected with the virus causing more than 106,138 deaths.Various countries have taken preventive and control measures to combat this disproportionate impact of COVID-19. It was noted that the pandemic scenario projections work better once scaled down to city level. The QC Disaster Resilience Scorecard (DRS) and Public Health Addendum (PHA) are also the integral part of the methodology considered in operationalizing the DRMF-COVID-19-P. Hence, authors developed and operationalized a local level Disaster Risk Management Framework (DRMF) for COVID-19 Pandemic using 14 guiding principles. Consequently, Quezon City Inclusive Unified Response, Recovery, and Rehabilitation Action Plan 2020-2030 is prepared. It consists of 11 very dynamic Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs). Essentially, the accomplishment level of these PPAs and status of reproduction rate of the virus directs the assertion to end the current COVID-19 Lockdown or initiation of incremental ease in lockdown. In fact the timing to commence such initiation is depending upon the accomplishment of pertinent PPAs and scientific findings that recommend Smart Lockdown. It refers to the use of decision-making criteria such as confirmed case/outbreak threshold ratio, probability of outbreak, etc., defined by different authorities for decision-making especially in declaring of community quarantine at Barangay/Municipality/City level. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Objective:to identify the knowledge,prevention behaviors and perceived risk of covid-19 in medical students.Methods: descriptive, cross-setionalstudy. Students from a medical school participated from September to December 2020. The inclusion criteria were: to be enrolled in the first to tenth semester of the Medical Surgeon Bachelor's Degree, no matter age or gender, who agreed to participate in the research giving informed consent by answering an online survey consisting of 26 questions including fifteen items on knowledge of covid-19, nine on prevention behaviors, and two on covid-19 risk perception. Descriptive analysis was performed. Results: 912 surveys were included, 62.2% were female (n=567), 82% said they had received information related to covid-19 from reliable information sources(n=748), 96.5% talked to their family and friends about prevention measures (n=880), 63.8% were unaware of N95 mask use during intubation, suctioning,bronchoscopy and cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures (n=582) and 43.3% indicated that they were afraid of becoming infected (n=395). Conclusion: most of the participants reported having received adequate information to learn about aspects related to covid-19, but were unaware of essential aspects such as the use of N95 masks.It is necessary to educate and informthe medical school student populationin order to decrease the perception of risk and increase prevention behaviors.
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Objective: to identify the knowledge, prevention behaviors and perceived risk of covid-19 in medical students. Methods: descriptive, cross-sectional study. Students from a medical school participated from September to December 2020. The inclusion criteria were: to be enrolled in the first to tenth semester of the Medical Surgeon Bachelor's Degree, no matter age or gender, who agreed to participate in the research giving informed consent by answering an online survey consisting of 26 questions including fifteen items on knowledge of covid-19, nine on prevention behaviors, and two on covid-19 risk perception. Descriptive analysis was performed. Results:912 surveys were included, 62.2% were female (n=567), 82% said they had received information related to covid-19 from reliable information sources (n=748), 96.5% talked to their family and friends about prevention measures (n=880), 63.8% were unaware of N95 mask use during intubation, suctioning, bronchoscopy and cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures (n=582) and 43.3% indicated that they were afraid of becoming infected (n=395).Conclusion: most of the participants reported having received adequate information to learn about aspects related to covid-19, but were unaware of essential aspects such as the use of N95 masks. It is necessary to educate and inform the medical school student population in order to decrease the perceptionof risk and increase prevention behaviors.
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The governance of the social rule of law is examined from the decisions made by the government in the name of biopolitics, from the appearance of COVID-19 (March 2020). The objective of this paper is to interpret the relationships between the political, economic, and social agreements that derive from that institutional design on which governance was based in modern pre-Covid-19 society, and on the other hand, the decisions of governments, Regarding the declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organization-WHO. We proceeded to analyze the content and forms present in the government decisions that determined the period of confinement and the subsequent relaxation processes. In conclusion, it is established that elements for the construction of a post-pandemic society will depend largely on the democratic institutional strength for the maintenance of the freedoms and protections of the rule of law since in the absence of such institutional strength, this relationship would danger to the society of freedoms © The author;licensee Universidad de la Costa - CUC
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The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of citizens having critical thinking developed to face controversial issues with socioscientific implications. In this work we present an educational proposal to promote the development of critical thinking in initial teacher training, framed in a socioscientific context: nuclear waste management. The objectives are to describe the teaching-learning sequence by providing methodological guidance on how to implement it and examine the levels of cognitive activity and the critical thinking skills that are promoted, based on respective analysis frameworks. The sequence incorporates three different types of key activities: critical analysis of press news, representation of a role play and elaboration of a “map of the socioscientific issue”. The results of the analysis highlight that in all sessions cognitive processes of the highest level and higher order skills of critical thinking are encouraged. © 2022. Estudios Pedagogicos. All Rights Reserved.
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Patients infected with the SARS-Cov2 virus have been severely affected [1]. The high rate damaged reported by the effects of this virus is due mainly to a storm pro-inflammatory cytokines production that is triggered by immune response overexpression [2]. Thus, research on this virus has become a high priority for public health [3]. However, biosafety regulations hinder rapid advancements on this research line. Therefore, it is essential to find an in vitro model that provides a close approximation to the actual SARS-Cov2 infection. The developed model is based on the detection of anti-inflammatory cytokines produced by Wharton's jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) as a response of HCV-229E infection at a lung spheroid. For this purpose, a co-culture of lung fibroblast spheroid (MRC-5) constituted in human collagen type 1, infected with HCV229E, and human peripheral blood leukocytes were grown for 3 days, pursuing the generation of the pro-inflammatory signaling cascade. Subsequently, WJ-MSCs were co-cultured within the previous described environment. As a result, it was demonstrated that WJ-MSCs play an immunomodulatory role against HCV-229E infection. After 72 h of WJMSCs exposure a significant decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines IL(1,2,6,7) and TNF α was observed. Additionally, a very marked increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL(4,10,11,13) and TGF-β was detected. We conclude that this model could be used for COVID-19 research and other similar respiratory syndromes without the manipulation of the actual virulent strand, this would aid in the understanding of mechanism behind the disease and the use WJMSCS such as therapy.
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Introduction: We present a rare case of vocal fold paresis after administration of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. We recognize the significance and possibility of a vocal fold paresis effect from the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and examine possible reasons for the inflammatory adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine. Given the recent introduction and authorization of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, their safety and potential complications have not been entirely assessed. We introduce what we believe to be the first report of an adverse laryngological reaction to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The patient reported acute-onset voice changes 3 days after administration. This case suggests potential complications from mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in order to inform the otolaryngological society and medical community at large of such unforeseen adverse complication. It is late breaking due to the timeline of vaccine administration creating the pool of candidates to study for vaccination responses. Methods: Retrospective case presentation. Results: A 28-year-old woman with no prior medical history presented in our outpatient department with a 2-month history of persistent complaint of sudden voice changes 3 days after receiving the second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The patient stated she noticed her voice becoming more fatigued, hoarser, and diminished in volume. She denied any recent viral illnesses and any additional symptoms. Results of videostroboscopic investigation revealed mild weakness of the left true vocal fold with decreased tensioning with phonation. Also noted was reduced mobility and decreased glottic closure that improved with higher pitches. Without any further confirmatory etiologies of this patients' presentation, we propose the likely source of this patient's vocal cord paresis is likely due to an inflammatory adverse reaction to the COVID- 19 vaccine with a review of recent literature regarding neuropathic sequelae from the mRNA vaccines. Conclusion: The case presented here adds an additional differential for a possible side effect of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. A complete and detailed history is imperative when patients present with hoarseness and voice changes after receiving certain vaccines as to target the etiology of the source.
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Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic suspended visiting student electives, which are an integral part of how residency applicants and residency programs determine fit prior to interviews and the match. As a result, many institutions were in need of developing ways of implementing remote learning tools, such as virtual clinical experiences. We discuss the many innovations utilized by residency programs to connect with interested students. Method: This study used a systematic review and summary of the clinical literature that described the innovative virtual solutions programs designed to confer the benefits of traditional away rotations in the absence of in-person activity. Results: We analyzed the literature and came up with 7 different innovations used by residency programs to connect with interested students. Those include live-stream surgeries, involvement in telehealth, virtual observation of rounds, involvement in research, invitations to join departmental educational activities, virtual small-group teaching sessions, and virtual residency meeting forums. Conclusion: We believe that postandemic virtual interactions with students will continue and will complement inperson activities. In competitive matches, virtual interaction may lead to earlier mentorship to help students prepare to match into otolaryngology. This, in combination with excellent clinical performance of an in-person visiting student elective, may help applicants find the appropriate fit to a program. Continuing these efforts may allow for earlier connection of students with mentors and an increased awareness of applicants. This will help students of certain backgrounds, including those in medical schools without an academic otolaryngology department and those underrepresented in medicine. This pandemic has highlighted the importance of residency programs to make an effort that ensures a competitive match is more equitable. Ongoing virtual interactions with students for mentorship, recruitment for research, and educational preparation for in-person rotations will help students engage with the field of otolaryngology in the future.
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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a financially challenging time for health care organizations with some ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinics reporting about a 50% drop in completed scheduled ENT visits during the first wave compared with 2019. In this study, we assessed the economic impact of COVID-19 on otolaryngology practices by identifying businesses that received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Method: In December 2020 a cross-sectional study was conducted using publicly available data published on PPP loans greater than $0.15M by the SBA. Otolaryngology clinics benefiting from this funding were filtered using the following terms: “otolaryngology,” “otolaryngologist,” “sinus,” “head and neck,” “throat,” “ENT,” and “facial plastic.” The study criteria identified 481 clinics that met inclusion criteria following manual confirmation and duplicate removal. Loan amount, business type, geographic region, owner race, owner gender, and the number of jobs per business were recorded for each clinic. Chi-square analysis was performed to determine the significance (P < .05) of each characteristic. Results: There were significant differences in loan distribution based on business type (P < .001) and jobs reported (P < .001). Higher proportions of Subchapter S corporations (60.00%) received smaller loans of $0.15 to $0.35M than limited liability companies (39.13%) and corporations (51.69%), which generally employ more people. Similarly, 100% of loans ranging from $0.15 to $0.35M went to micro and small practices, whereas 33% of medium-sized practices received loans greater than $1M. All businesses employing greater than 250 people (n = 5) received loans of $2M+. Conclusion: This study suggests PPP funding was distributed equitably to applicant ENT clinics with larger clinics receiving larger loans.
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Introduction. The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) began its operations as a COVID-19 referral center on March 30, 2020. Local studies reporting characteristics of patients in the intensive care units (ICUs) are lacking. Objectives. 1) To describe the baseline characteristics and outcomes of the initial cohort of COVID-19 patients in the medical ICU. 2) To report the initial situation and strategies in the ICU during the first two months of being a COVID-19 referral center. Methods. We conducted a review of records of all patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the medical ICU of UP-PGH between April 1 to May 31, 2020. Patient demographics, comorbidities, APACHE-II score, signs and symptoms, laboratory and radiologic results, respiratory and vasopressor support, and outcomes were collected. Results. Out of 35 patients with confirmed COVID-19, majority were above 60 years old (63%). Hypertension was the most frequent comorbidity (77%). Fever was the most common symptom (51%). The mean duration of symptoms prior admission was 9 ± 7 days. Anemia and leukocytosis with neutrophilia was common. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HSCRP) were elevated in most patients. Majority of patients (66%) had moderate level of hypoxemia on admission. Bilateral pneumonia on chest radiograph was found in 34 patients. Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine were the most commonly used drugs. A total of 24 patients (69%) required invasive mechanical ventilation while 15 (43%) needed pressor support. Twenty-two expired (63%) while thirteen (37%) patients were discharged from the medical ICU. Conclusion. The clinical characteristics in our set of patients are consistent with other studies on critically ill patients. Mortality in the medical ICU was high. © 2021 University of the Philippines Manila. All rights reserved.
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So far, the data collected in the cases of clinical processes caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) coronavirus in children suggest that they are mild compared to infections in adult patients;However, serious cases such as multisystemic inflammatory syndrome (SIM) have been reported, which requires assessment and emergency action. In the context of the of the Primary Care pediatrician consultation and coinciding with the beginning of the school year, at a time when the incidence of influenza, RSV infection and other respiratory conditions usually increases, consultations for symptoms that can lead to suspect these infections. Therefore, it is important to reach a diagnosis that allows the most appropriate management of the patient and decreasing the community transmission by taking pertinent measures. Given that there are no valid scales that offer a score to assess which is the most appropriate action in the event of a suspected COVID-19 infection, we propose the benefits of a clinical decision algorithm that takes into account epidemiological connotations, based on clinical severity to offer the most appropriate clinical care to patients. © 2020, Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics. All rights reserved.
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This paper discusses about the versatility of the flipped classroom method, stressing its ability to adapt successfully to a diverse range of disciplines of different complexity and nature. The study builds upon the analysis of several international and successful experiences, and then focuses on a specific case: the implementation of this methodology in the first technical subject included in the Architecture degree taught at the Polytechnical University of Catalonia, as a mean to achieve a better comprehension of contents. The success of this experience can be measured through two short-term results: the increased interest among students towards the subject and the largest number of students passing the exam. In the long-term, with this experience it is expected to contribute to decrease the dropout rate (currently, around 22%1) among first year students enrolled in the Architecture Degree. In March 2020, the covid-19 swept across Spain, disrupting the traditional functioning of universities, and requiring an immediate switch from an in-person to an online teaching and learning environment. This situation has implied the rise of a new approach to the flipped classroom method, moving from the conventional b-learning implementation to an imposed e-learning one.
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Introduction: The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 or coronavirus disease) health crisis declared in 2020 led to the suspension of ongoing in-person learning in Spanish universities and showed the difficulties to move forward in the digital transformation of the university world. The objective of the research whose results are presented is to approach, from students' perspective to how university studies in Communication in Spain adapted ongoing in-person learning to online learning during such an emergency period. Methodology: A self-administered online questionnaire was completed by a sample of Communication Faculties students from all the Spanish regions in which these studies are offered. Results: 57% of the students approve the management of the situation by their Faculties, resulting in a higher percentage in private universities compared to public ones. The virtual classroom has been the most recognized technological platform (accounting for 84.5% of the cases) while the main teaching resources have been File uploading (73.2%) and Videoconferences (67.9%), the latter being the most valued by students while not the most employed. Discussion and results: The Faculties of Communication -in the context of University education in Spain- have succeeded in deploying the existing resources to virtual learning, although the pandemic has exposed some technological limitations of the universities. Broadly speaking and given the urgency of the transformation, common methods used for in-person learning have been shifted to the online world, instead of developing a teaching methodology that could benefit from all the advantages of virtual learning. Specifically, in anomalous situations like this one, the role of the teacher has proved to be essential, not only in transmitting knowledge but also in giving students attention and support.