Understanding the use of digital finance among older internet users in urban China: Evidence from an online convenience sample

Inclusive digital financial services should welcome older populations and make them beneficiaries of the digital and financial revolution. To understand older adults' experience of using digital financial tools, we conducted an online survey of 268 older internet users aged 60 or above from urban areas of 14 Chinese provinces after China's nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in 2021. Our results revealed that older internet surfers were active in digital financial activities and engaged most with activities that were highly compatible with their lifestyles. Active users significantly differed from inactive users in sociodemographics, confirming that a digital divide related to social stratification exists among older internet users. Digital finance active users were also distinguished from inactive users' attitudes and perceptions toward digital finance. Logistic regression results indicated that perceived usefulness, access to proper devices for digital finance, risk perceptions, and perceived exclusion if not using technology were associated with their adoption of these advanced tools. Older adults reported the perceived inconvenience of in-person financial services during the lockdown. They also expressed a willingness to participate in relevant training if provided. The findings of this study could help aging-related practitioners to understand older adults' engagement in digital finance and guide policy and project design in the area of financial inclusion of the aging population.

Addressing the Need for Accountability in Public Health

The article calls for the public health community to examine who deter the issuance of deficiently supported recommendations by holding accountable public health officials who promote such recommendations. Topics discussed include advice public health advice that contradicts prevailing scientific evidence, mechanisms for accountability, and the need for self-regulation.

Changing English Local Authority Duties by the Adoption of Easements in the COVID-19 Pandemic, Findings from an Interview-Based Study

This article reports findings from a study on the effect of the adjustments or 'easements' that were made to the 2014 Care Act when measures to manage the impact of COVID-19 were introduced in England in 2020. Only eight local authorities (LAs) implemented the changes permitted. The experiences of five are explored in this article. Data were collected in 2021 through interviews with Directors of Adult Social Services and other senior managers in these LAs and analysed using a thematic approach. Participants referred to the challenges under which they were working pre-pandemic, including resource pressures and problems recruiting and retaining staff. Despite the conditions attached to adopting easements these LAs had done so because of the uncertainties they were facing. All ceased to use them within a short time because they could manage without them. They had been shocked by the concerted opposition to easements and the time necessitated in responding to this. They contrasted their experiences with the apparent ease with which NHS colleagues had been able to change their practices. The experiences of these LAs may contribute to planning for the continuity of social care in any future emergency.

The importance of adhering to regulations in healthcare: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and historical incidents

George Winter discusses the importance of following healthcare rules, regulations and guidance within healthcare, using both COVID-19 and historical cases to demonstrate this

The Power of Relationships During the Pandemic: A Community Health Center's Response to COVID-19

This report describes one community health center's response to COVID-19 by integrating Pacific Island (PI) values—which prioritize dignity, agency, and ancestral philosophies—within the context of deep relationship building. We share impacts and insights with the hope this work will resonate with other PI and Indigenous communities.

A Call for Support: Social Worker Health, Well-being and Working Conditions

The author calls for support in recognizing the work that social workers have done through and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. Topics discussed include impact of social workers leaving the profession on the service users that social workers work most closely with, what the 'Key Worker' status of social workers meant in the United Kingdom (UK) during the height of the pandemic, and working conditions of social workers.

Social Workers Response to Domestic Violence and Abuse during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The rapid global spread of COVID-19 has put increased pressure on health and social service providers, including social workers who continued front line practice throughout the pandemic, engaging with some of the most vulnerable in society often experiencing multiple adversities alongside domestic violence and abuse (DVA). Movement restrictions and stay-at-home orders introduced to slow the spread of the virus, paradoxically leave these families at even greater risk from those within the home. Utilising a survey methodology combining both open- and closed-ended questions, this study captured a picture of social work practice in Ireland with families experiencing DVA during the early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings highlight both the changes and challenges in work practices and procedures that limit social work assessment and quality contact with families, changes to the help-seeking behaviours from victims/survivors, as well as emerging innovative practice responses with enhanced use of technology. Implications for practice include an increased awareness of the risk and prevalence of DVA accelerated by the pandemic. Conclusions assert that social work assessment and intervention with families experiencing DVA must remain adaptive to the changing COVID-19 context and continue to develop innovative practice approaches.

The impact of Covid-19 restrictions in Ireland on symptom severity in mild to moderate Parkinson's disease

Introduction: The COVID pandemic and public health restrictions significantly impacted those living with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's Disease due to the curtailment of therapies. Patients attending a single centre movement disorders clinic reported reduced physical activity and quality of life during the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the impact of pandemic restrictions on Parkinson's Disease symptom severity in people with mild to moderate Parkinson's Disease. Method: A cross-sectional study design with a convenience sample of 20 people living with mild to moderate Parkinson's Disease was adopted. A telephone survey questionnaire was completed to measure changes in symptom severity on the 14 most common Parkinson's Disease symptoms. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Nineteen participants completed the survey. Participants frequently reported a decline in nine symptoms of Parkinson's Disease;bradykinesia, rigidity, walking, sleep, mood, memory, quality of life and fatigue. Nil changes in freezing were reported. No change was reported in the nonmotor symptoms of constipation, speech and pain in 75, 65 and 95% of participants, respectively. Conclusion: Findings of this study acknowledge the negative impact of restrictions on the motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. Flexibility to access and delivery of service should be considered to mitigate any future potential restrictions.

基于扎根理论的援鄂护士职业精神分析

目的:基于扎根理论分析援鄂护士的职业精神内涵。方法:选取山西医科大学12 所直属附属医院援鄂护士为研究对象，用扎 根理论对援鄂感悟进行分析。结果:共形成112 个概念、14 个一级范畴、6 个二级范畴。援鄂护士的职业精神包括家国情怀的职业使 命、大爱无疆的职业品质、尊重和平等对待病人的职业伦理、团结协作的职业作风、乐观必胜的职业态度、精益求精的职业素养6 个 方面。结论:挖掘护士职业精神的内涵，有助于深刻阐释护士工作的意义和价值，生动展示护士的良好精神风貌，大力弘扬"南丁格 尔精神"，对于提升护士的职业认同感、加强护士职业精神培育、构建和谐医患关系具有重要意义.

Are We #Stayinghome to Flatten the Curve?

The recent spread of COVID-19 across the United States led to concerted efforts by states to "flatten the curve" through the adoption of stay-at-home mandates that encouraged individuals to reduce travel and maintain social distance. Combining data on changes in travel activity and human encounter rates with state policy adoption timing, we first characterize the overall changes in mobility patterns that accompanied the spread of COVID-19. We find evidence of dramatic nationwide declines in mobility and human encounters prior to adoption of any statewide mandates. Then, using difference-in-differences along with weighted and unweighted event study methods, we isolate the portion of those reductions directly attributable to statewide mandates. Once states adopt a mandate, we estimate further mandate-induced declines of between 2.1 and 7.0 percentage points relative to pre-COVID-19 baseline levels. While residents of mandate states soon returned to prior business visitation patterns, the impacts on distances traveled and human encounter rates persisted throughout the observed mandate periods. Our estimates of early mobility reductions and the responses to statewide stay-at-home policies convey important policy implications for the persistence of mobility behavior changes and states' future reopenings.

Additional Advocacy Efforts Before Congress

The article reports on the congressional advocacy initiatives by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) in the U.S. Also cited are the meeting by NEHA with U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Richard Burr to ensure the inclusion of environmental health and the profession in the PREVENT Pandemics Act, and the support by NEHA for the passage of the Environmental Health Workforce Act.