Systemic racism and undocumented Latino migrant laborers during COVID-19: A narrative review and implications for improving occupational health.

Background: Systemic racism is built upon the racial exploitation of minorities and has been further exposed inequalities amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic. The historic reliance of undocumented migrant Latino laborers continues to influence the modern-day work conditions Latinos face such as low wages, limited benefits, and an emphasis on productivity over safety, which also increases their risk for adverse health outcomes. Objective: This narrative review aims to describe and highlight key risk factors on the impact of systemic racism and how it shapes the work and occupational health experiences of Latino laborers in the US, as well as strategies to overcome barriers. Method: In this review, we explore empirical studies, news reports, and policy briefs that highlight the social factors impacting occupational health outcomes for undocumented Latino migrant laborers and synthesize the information to report major challenges experienced during the pandemic and propose recommendations for improving conditions and occupational health of these groups. Results: Existing literature demonstrated that (1) documentation status was a barrier to federal relief programs during COVID-19; (2) though categorized as essential workers, workplace conditions were harmful towards preventing infection and transmission of COVID-19; and (3) there was an increased burden particularly for undocumented Latino women both in the workplace and at home during the pandemic. Recommendations include prioritization of undocumented immigrants in government relief, and addressing both individual and environmental level stressors in the workplace to promote inclusivity and reduce unnecessary suffering of Latino migrant workers. Conclusion: Latino laborers should be treated with dignity and respect with workplace protections as they are designated as essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of children and adolescents: A systematic review of survey studies.

Objective: Mental health problems among children and adolescents are increasingly observed during the outbreak of COVID-19, leading to significant healthcare concerns. Survey studies provide unique opportunities for research during this pandemic, while there are no existing systematic reviews in this setting. The objective was to summarize existing survey studies addressing the effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents. Methods: For this systematic review, we performed an electronic search in multiple databases from December 2019 to December 2020. The quality appraisal of the included studies was performed with the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist. Because of the high methodological heterogeneity between studies, a narrative synthesis of the qualitative data was used. Results: In total, 35 survey studies with 65,508 participants, ranging from 4 to 19 years of age, are included in this review. Anxiety (28%), depression (23%), loneliness (5%), stress (5%), fear (5%), tension (3%), anger (3%), fatigue (3%), confusion (3%), and worry (3%) were the most common mental health issues reported. Children and adolescents with psychiatric and/or developmental disorders, such as severe obesity, chronic lung disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cystic fibrosis, and obsessive-compulsive disorders, were especially vulnerable to the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Age, gender, psychological quality, and negative coping strategies were identified as risk factors for the development of mental health problems. Social and family support, along with a positive coping style, was associated with better outcomes. Conclusion: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of children and adolescents is multifaceted and substantial. Survey studies regarding child and adolescent mental health amid COVID-19 indicated that anxiety, depression, loneliness, stress, and tension are the most observed symptoms. Positive coping strategies with family and social support may be important to achieving better outcomes. Due to limited available evidence, more well-designed studies in this area are urgently needed.

Dietary supplements and herbal medicine for COVID-19: A systematic review of randomized control trials.

BACKGROUND: The world is currently struggling with the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Dietary supplements (DSs) and herbal medicine provide a potentially convenient and accessible method for its recovery, but direct evidence is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of DSs and herbs in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in multiple electronic English and Chinese databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving DSs or herbal medicine interventions on patients with COVID-19 from November 2019 to February 2021 were included. Data was extracted, summarized and critically examined. RESULTS: Out of 9402 records identified in the initial search, twelve RCTs were included in this review. Risk of bias of these RCTs was deemed high. Most of the trials were of low methodologic quality. Nine studies showed herbal supplements were beneficial to the recovery of COVID-19 patients; zinc sulfate could shorten the duration of loss of smell but not total recovery from COVID-19. No severe adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Herbal supplements may help patients with COVID-19, zinc sulfate is likely to shorten the duration of olfactory dysfunction. DS therapy and herbal medicine appear to be safe and effective adjuvant therapies for patients with COVID-19. These results must be interpreted with caution due to the overall low quality of the included trials. More well-designed RCTs are needed in the future.

Viral Respiratory Infections: An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure.

The sudden outbreak and global spread of COVID-19 demanded a tremendous amount of attention for viral respiratory infections (VRIs) in modern times. Evidence accumulated over the past few decades increasingly suggests the importance of recognizing the background and context of lifestyle factors in the prevention of VRIs recurrence. The focus of attention has specifically been on how to optimize respiratory barrier function and immune function during the period of the pandemic outbreak. This viewpoint discusses the impact of a healthy lifestyle on VRIs and demonstrates a practical approach to preventing the occurrence of VRIs based on contemporary evidence.

The Ocular Manifestations of COVID-19 Through Conjunctivitis.

There is growing evidence that the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is capable of transmission through the eye. Research suggests that infection by SARS-CoV-2 can produce an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which leads to redness and itchiness of the eyes. Furthermore, viral particles have been detected in conjunctival secretions of SARS-CoV-2 patients who present with conjunctivitis and is likely another mode of transmission. A 53-year-old male presented with a complaint of left eye irritation and upper eyelid swelling for the past 24 hours. The right eye had mild irritation but no lid swelling. The left upper eyelid was erythematous, swollen and had crusting along the lashes. There were mild inflammation and injection of the conjunctiva. The initial diagnosis was blepharitis, and it was recommended that he continue with the warm compresses, and doxycycline 100 mg to use if the symptoms worsened or did not improve. The patient underwent SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing as a requirement for travel the next day and was found to be positive for the virus. Over the following days, he developed fatigue and rhinitis but clinically improved within six days of his initial presentation. Physicians and health care workers should be aware of the ocular manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 to make a timely diagnosis of infected individuals. While requirements vary across institutions, it is highly recommended that healthcare workers consistently wear appropriate eye protection when interacting with patients to reduce the spread of disease and potential impact on ocular health from SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, to prevent ocular transmission, all healthcare workers should be immediately educated on the importance of eye protection.