Uruguay 2021: Between the urgency, the brake and a new beginning for the coalition government

This article analyzes the principal events of 2021-the second year of the coalition government led by Luis Lacalle Pou-which was signed by two main issues. In the first place, the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic in which the government manages to deploy a successful vaccination campaign;and, secondly, the initiative of a direct democracy mechanism led by the political and social opposition to derogate 135 articles of the Urgent Consideration Bill (LUC, for its initials in spanish) approved in 2020. It is argued that the combination of both issues put a (transitory) brake to the urgency and deployment of the government's agenda. To do this, first the economic and social situation is briefly described, and then the political scenario configured between government and opposition. Third, prolonged presidential approval is analyzed from a twofold perspective: the honeymoon effect and the "rally round the flag" effect. Then, one of the central issues of the LUC and of the public agenda is addressed: security and its relationship with government and public opinion. Finally, we analyze the referendum process and its relevance as a new beginning for the coalition government.

Coping strategies during legally enforced quarantine and their association to psychological distress level: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The non-pharmacological measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to considerable psychological distress. The aim of the CoCo-Fakt study was to investigate possible coping strategies and their effects on psychological distress during legally enforced quarantine of infected persons (IPs) and their close contacts (CPs). STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional cohort study. METHODS: From 12 December 2020 to 6 January 2021, all IPs and their CPs (n = 8232) registered by the public health department (Cologne, Germany) were surveyed online. Psychosocial distress and coping were measured using sum scores; free-text answers related to specific strategies were subsequently categorised. RESULTS: Psychosocial distress was higher in IPs than in CPs (P < .001). Although the mean coping score did not differ between both groups, it was influenced by the reason for quarantine (IP vs CP) besides gender, age, socio-economic status, living situation, psychological distress, resilience, physical activity and eating behaviour. This final regression model explained 25.9% of the variance. Most participants used active coping strategies, such as contact with the social environment, a positive attitude and hobbies. CONCLUSIONS: Although psychological distress was higher in IPs than in CPs during the quarantine period, the mean coping score did not differ. The strategies most frequently used by IPs and CPs were activating social networks, a healthy lifestyle and professional support systems, such as the health department helpline. Appropriate advice should be implemented to prevent long-term psychological consequences when supporting affected people.

High impact of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities, suggestion for monitoring in the EU/EEA, May 2020

Residents in long-term care facilities (LTCF) are a vulnerable population group. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related deaths in LTCF residents represent 30-60% of all COVID-19 deaths in many European countries. This situation demands that countries implement local and national testing, infection prevention and control, and monitoring programmes for COVID-19 in LTCF in order to identify clusters early, decrease the spread within and between facilities and reduce the size and severity of outbreaks.

Diagnostic, clinical and post-SARS-CoV-2 scenarios in cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2: retrospective analysis in three German cancer centers

Introduction: Oncologists face challenges in the management of SARSCoV- 2 infections and post-SARS-CoV-2 cancer treatment. Accordingly, knowledge of their possible scenarios is of great importance. Methods: We analyzed diagnostic, clinical and post-SARS-CoV-2 scenarios in patients with RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection presenting in the University Hospital of Gottingen, the University Hospital of Munster, and the Franziskus-Hospital Harderberg, Georgsmarienhutte, Germany. Results: Sixty-three patients with SARS-CoV-2 and hematologic or solid neoplasms were included. Thirty patients were initially asymptomatic, of whom ten developed COVID-19 symptoms (Figure 1A). Altogether 20 (32%) patients were asymptomatic, 18 (29%) had a mild, 12 (19%) a severe, and 13 (20%) a critical course (Figure 1B). Asymptomatic course was not associated with age, remission status, therapies or co-morbidities (p>0.3). Lymphocytopenia increased risk of severe/critical COVID-19 three-fold (p=0.015). Secondary bacterial infection accompanied more than one third of critical COVID-19 cases. 17 patients had died from COVID-19 (n=8) or PD (n=9) giving an estimated 73% four-month overall survival rate (Figure 2A-B). Post-SARSCoV- 2, treatment was delayed in 46 patients, of whom 9 developed progressive disease (PD). Cancer therapy was modified in 8 SARS-CoV-2 survivors because of deteriorating performance status or PD (Figure 2C). Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 infection has a heterogenous course in cancer patients. Lymphocytopenia carries a significant risk of severe/critical COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 disruption of therapy is serious as SARS-CoV-2 infection itself. Careful surveillance will allow early restart of the anti-cancer treatment.

Is condomless sex associated with nonadherence to COVID-19 prevention behaviors among young black men who have sex with women?

Background Health behaviors in young people tend to cluster. The objective of this study was to determine if condomless sex among young Black men who have sex with women was associated with non-adherence to COVID-19 prevention behaviors. Methods Men previously enrolled in a community-based chlamydia screening program for Black men who have sex with women, aged 15-24, were enrolled in a sub-study between May-June, 2020 and asked about adherence to the City of New Orleans requirements for proper hand-washing, maskwearing, social-distancing, staying-at-home and condomless vaginal sex while COVID-19 restrictions were in place. Results Of 105 men included in analysis, the mean age was 20.5 (s.d.2.0) and 17.3% previously tested positive for chlamydia in the parent study. During COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, 37.1% engaged in at least one act of condomless sex and responded sometime/never to the following: hand-washing for 20 seconds (8.1%), physical-distancing (21.6%), maskwearing (18.8%) and staying-at-home except for essential needs (24.3%). Some men were not able to get PPE (36.9%) or thought a homemade mask would subject them to discrimination (14.4%). Men who engaged in condomless sex were more likely than those who either did use condoms/did not have vaginal sex to not wash their hands properly (19.4% vs. 3.0%, p<0.03) and not wear a mask (30.8% vs. 10.6%, p<0.02);there was a trend for them to not physically distance (28.2% vs. 16.7%, p< 0.17) and there was no association for not following stay-at-home orders (28.2% vs. 22.7%, p<0.54). Age, access to masks, and perception that maskwearing could subject them to discrimination were not associated with mask-wearing (p>0.40). Conclusion Overall, adherence to disease prevention behaviors was high. Non-adherent behaviors such as condomless sex, lack of mask-wearing and lack of hand-washing were associated. Men with one non-adherent behavior may benefit from counseling in other potentially non-adherent behaviors..