ABSTRACT
One of the most important issues related to the management of an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) network is the correct forecasting of the demand for cash. Typically, this demand, expressed as the value or number of ATM withdrawals, has some regularities that can be used to evaluate future values for these variables. However, forecasting becomes a challenge when a crisis occurs that could affect the behavior of ATM users. In this context, it is important to identify how the development of the crisis and the various information concerning it may affect people's attitudes to cash. This study aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the behavior of ATM customers. On the basis of daily data from 81 ATMs, we analyze the changes in the value and number of withdrawals just before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. An event study analysis allows us to determine precisely the moments in which changes in user behavior took place. This means that it is also possible to examine the reaction of ATM users to the announcement and implementation of the pandemic restrictions, and to determine the factors that had an impact on the change in people's attitude to cash. Such a study is also important from a sociological point of view, as it enables one to understand people's reactions to the emerging crisis. Hence, its results may be useful not only for managers of ATM networks, but also for various authorities and policy makers.
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 responsible for the current human COVID-19 pandemic has shown tropism toward different organs with variable efficiency, eyes included. The purpose of this study has been to investigate the presence of detectable SARS-CoV-2 infection in ocular swabs in patients affected by COVID-19. A consecutive series of 74 COVID-19-positive patients (age 21-89) were enrolled at two Polish COVID-19 hospitals for 4 months and were characterized by PCR for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in nasopharyngeal (NP) and ocular swabs, while their respiratory and ocular symptoms were noted. Almost 50% of them presented with severe/critical respiratory involvement, and some degree of eye disease. No tight correlation was observed between the presence of ocular and respiratory symptoms. Three male patients presenting with severe/critical lung disease tested positive in ocular swab, however with mild/moderate ocular symptoms. In conclusion, our study lends further support to the view that overt ocular infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is not such a frequent occurrence.