ABSTRACT
Air pollutants, especially particulate matter, and other meteorological factors serve as important carriers of infectious microbes and play a critical role in the spread of disease. However, there remains uncertainty about the relationship among particulate matter, other air pollutants, meteorological conditions and climate change and the spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), hereafter referred to as COVID-19. A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines to identify the relationship between air quality, meteorological conditions and climate change, and COVID-19 risk and outcomes, host related factors, co-morbidities and disparities. Out of a total of 170,296 scientific publications screened, 63 studies were identified that focused on the relationship between air pollutants and COVID-19. Additionally, the contribution of host related-factors, co-morbidities, and health disparities was discussed. This review found a preponderance of evidence of a positive relationship between PM2.5, other air pollutants, and meteorological conditions and climate change on COVID-19 risk and outcomes. The effects of PM2.5, air pollutants, and meteorological conditions on COVID-19 mortalities were most commonly experienced by socially disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. Results however, were not entirely consistent, and varied by geographic region and study. Opportunities for using data to guide local response to COVID-19 are identified.
ABSTRACT
The objective of the study was to investigate whether the teaching practices developed in times of compulsory preventive social isolation in Argentina favor the inclusion, learning and autonomy of students with intellectual disabilities, in the opinion of their professionals supporting inclusion and of their families. An exploratory-descriptive design was carried out, with an intentional sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to 75 inclusion support professionals and 40 families of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities included in common schools of state and private management, in Córdoba (mainly) and other Argentine provinces. As a result, the State has not been able to guarantee access of its students with intellectual disabilities, under equal conditions, to emergency remote teaching not only for not ensuring the necessary technology and connectivity. The teaching task focused on homogeneous planning, leaving the curricular adaptations to the external support professionals, direct attention to the student with disabilities, and counseling for families. The teacher"s relationship with the student with intellectual disability shows poor communication, listening and a positive relationship. Consequently, many students have not reached the proposed learning objectives nor the expected autonomy. © 2021 University of Salamanca. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Adult immunization practices leave much to be desired. Misinformation has increased mistrust. As a result, Latino and African American populations have low rates of annual flu vaccinations and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, lag behind for COVID-19 vaccination. Historically, healthcare staff have failed to adhere to adult immunization guidelines contributing to patient infections. Healthcare staff, both clinical and non-clinical, must lead by example by making "prevention primary". Most adults may not realize they need immunizations. We recommend the following steps to increase immunization uptake: Make adult immunization a standard of patient care as we do for children. Assess immunization status at every clinical opportunity. Strongly recommend vaccinations needed. Administer needed vaccinations, multiple if warranted. Document vaccines received by your patient. Participate in your state's immunization registry and work with community organizations that can help make adult immunization the norm.