ABSTRACT
At the time of writing this study, the COVID-19 virus continues to spread through its multiple mutants, the latest of which is (Omicron). Therefore, it was necessary to use effective and unconventional treatments to reduce the spread of this virus and to deliver health care to its infected without the need to be exposed to the risk of infection. This research paper presents valuable solutions for communicating with COVID-19 patients through the use of information technology applications. This method contributes to reducing the consumption of medical resources, reducing contact with patients, and helping with social distancing, which contributes to reducing the spread of this virus. The process of using information technology means to provide medical advice and treatment to patients by telemedicine doctors has been clarified. More importantly, the results of this study presented the factors affecting the use of these applications in terms of social, technological, and organizational. © 2022 Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Urban nature sites are crucial places for the promotion of human health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are few interdisciplinary studies that simultaneously investigate the impact of a range of social and environmental factors on potential shifts in urban nature site visitation. We sought to do this by analyzing both geospatial data of the amenities and environmental features of urban nature sites with a web-based survey of urban nature site visitation in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. We found that 53% of surveyed participants decreased visitation during the pandemic, while 26% increased visitation, 21% had no change, and only 1.7% were first-time visitors of urban nature sites. We developed a multiple linear regression model for shifts in visitation frequency during the pandemic, and found that a relative increase in visitation was positively associated with higher ratings of the physical and mental health contribution of the urban nature sites, higher nature maintenance and accessibility ratings, and visiting with a spouse, but negatively associated with variables such as car transportation, visit length, shrub habitat, age, and visiting alone or for romantic dates. Our results suggest that the perceived health benefits and accessibility of urban nature sites could be key in motivating visitation during the pandemic more than the specific environmental features or amenities of these sites. Given the on-going threats of the pandemic and other environmental crises, it is imperative to continue supporting the creation, maintenance, and monitoring of urban nature sites for not only urban ecosystems and biodiversity, but also so that they can contribute to the health of all urban residents. Copyright © 2022 Talal and Gruntman.