A novel fuzzy group decision making approach for buying a house in pandemic process

After the detection of the first official case diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 2020, the new package called as "Economic Stability Shield” have been implemented in Turkey to minimize the effects of the pandemic. As in all sectors, the epidemic caused various changes in the real estate sector. The demands of citizens who stayed in homes for a long time during the epidemic period have also changed when buying a house. This study aims to investigate the importance of selection criteria for buying a house criterion in the real estate sector and to determine the most suitable house of via a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach. By integrating Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Multi-Attribute Ideal Real Comparative Analysis (FMAIRCA), the assessment criteria of buying house and suitable houses are evaluated. While making this evaluation, the weights of the criteria are obtained by pairwise comparisons under fuzzy environment through collected from five households living in Konya. Next, the FMAIRCA method is used to rank the candidate houses according to the views of the households. As a result of the study, it has been determined that the criteria of eligibility for credit are the most important criteria. For the case study, we perform a comparative analysis on the performance of fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy VIKOR in buying a house. Our comparative analysis for this case study shows that the three fuzzy MCDM methods achieve the identical rankings. © 2023 Gazi Universitesi Muhendislik-Mimarlik. All rights reserved.

INCOMES, GAPS AND WELL-BEING: AN EXPLORATION OF DIRECT TAX INCOME STATEMENTS BEFORE AND DURING COVID-19 THROUGH THE COMPARABILITY INTERVAL

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to see if total direct taxes (TDT) affect the growth of the country's income and well-being or stagnation and gaps based on the variables raised: Corporate Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (TAP), Property Taxes (PT), Other Direct Taxes (ODT), as well as to explore which variables had a greater impact on income growth, welfare or gaps before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Theoretical framework: First, this research brought a new approach to explore the income statement through total direct taxes before and during the Covid-19 pandemic, then analyzed which variables there were increases in income, gaps, or welfare. Finally, an overview is given on how to promote and continuously increase state revenues and reduce gaps through TDTs. Design/methodology/approach: The data were collected at the local and central levels in the state of Kosovo based on the audited financial and economic reports for the period (2014-2021) as well as through interviews with officials and directors in the finance department and with the Minister of Finance during 2017-2018, analyzing in detail all financial items for direct tax variables and their impact on government revenues, on the country's well-being or economic-financial gaps through descriptive analysis, factorial analysis, reliability analysis, multiple regression analysis using SPSS version 23.0 for Windows. Findings: Based on analyzes such as PCA Matrix Loading Factors, PCA Model Summary- Multiple Linear Regression, Coefficients- TDT, the results showed that the variables [(CIT=98%, R=.980, Sig=.000, F=148,854), (PIT=99%, R=.987, Sig.=000, F=220,841), (PT=90%, R=.902, Sig.=.000, F=26,240)] are quite important and that they have influenced the increase in income and well-being of the country, while the variable (OTD=39%, R=.390, Sig.=000, F=1.079) has not influenced the well-being of the country during this period and that there are still some gaps that need to be improved before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, greater weight in the collection of (TDTs) and an increase in well-being have been shown (PIT=.975, Cons=.136, Acu=99%), while gaps have been shown (ODT: Cons=.209, Acu =39%). It is recommended that the state should be careful in collecting revenues from (TDT) and especially (OTDs). Research, Practical & Social implications: The limitations and implications of this research are that the study period is (8) years, the number of variables is limited to only (4) with their sub-variables (48), and it is only an analysis of one country. Therefore, for further analysis, a larger number of countries, periods, and variables can be taken into the research. Originality/value: It will help countries to see where there is an increase in income and well-being and where there are gaps and a decrease in income and based on this, they should be careful in creating policies to encourage and increase income through (TDTs) © 2022 AOS-Estratagia and Inovacao. All rights reserved.

Socio-Economic Stability and Sustainable Development in the Post-COVID Era: Lessons for the Business and Economic Leaders

This paper focuses on social and economic stability, as well as sustainable development, in the post-COVID era in light of the recent theoretical approaches and leadership practices. As governments worldwide resorted to repeated national- and regional-specific impositions of social and economic isolation in an (often failed) attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus, their economies have been plunged into recessions, which have been deeper than those associated with the global financial crisis in the past. Successful business and economic leaders need to be aware of the dominant trends unfolding as the COVID-19 pandemic is gradually coming to its end and the New Globalization (a new era of international economy and international relations after COVID-19) is materializing. With global living, international travel, and trade interconnected, businesses need to plan for handling the future outbreaks and their economic, as well as social, consequences. The aim of this paper is to draw the lessons for business and economic leaders in the post-COVID era with a focus on the new trends and challenges for the sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper also presents an empirical model that assesses the novel ways of doing business and innovating using the sustainable economic practices after the COVID-19 pandemic. The model employs our own data collected from 450 managers and owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Czech Republic and Russia. Our results show that innovation and digitalization (e.g., smart metering or the Internet of Things (IoT)) are becoming the main drivers of the sustainable economic transformation of small and medium enterprises in the post-pandemic period. These results might be useful for both academic researchers and business practitioners searching for new pathways for innovating their sustainable business practices and recreating their customer base in the post-COVID era. © 2023 by the authors.

Analyzing pure contagion between crude oil and agricultural futures markets

Crude oil and agricultural product prices are important factors affecting a country's economic and social stability. The pure contagion between these two markets may lead to excessive price linkage, increasing the fragility of the financial system. This paper uses the CEEMDAN method, fine-to-coarse reconstruction method, and TVP-VAR model to study the pure contagion between crude oil and agricultural futures markets. The empirical results show that there always is significant pure contagion between agricultural futures markets. However, pure contagion between crude oil and agricultural futures markets only exists in some specific periods. The crude oil futures market has obvious pure contagion to the agricultural futures markets in most periods. Only a few periods the agricultural futures have pure contagion to the crude oil futures. It is worth noting that the COVID-19 epidemic aggravates the pure contagion between crude oil and the agricultural futures markets. Based on the research conclusions, this paper puts forward corresponding policy recommendations, hoping to provide a reference and theoretical basis for the government to formulate corresponding policies. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd

Health and well-being of the Portuguese citizens: impacts of the COVID-19

Aims: COVID-19 pandemic place unprecedented pressure on societies and healthcare systems around the world. Over the last year, measures imposed in almost all countries dealing with the pandemic are sending the entire world into an extensive crisis and thus into a deep global recession.Since the outbreak began, many European countries have faced three/four waves of pandemic. Portugal has dealt with three waves (March/April'2020;October/November'2020;January/February'2021), the third being the deadliest one. The purpose of this article is to provide evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 on HRQoL and well being(W-B) of Portuguese citizens. It aims to (i) characterize these outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic;(ii) compare them to pre-COVID-19 Portuguese population;and (iii) identify the social determinants that may affect these outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): This study used data from a survey that collected data on HRQoL, W-B, satisfaction with life, economic and labour impacts, access to healthcare, mental and physical health, amongst others. The survey was implemented by telephone to a representative random sample of 1255 respondents from the general adult Portuguese population, stratified by gender, age group and region. Data was collected during the end of the second national lockdown. Result(s): Looking at health and access to healthcare, 4% of citizens had their surgeries postponed or cancelled because of COVID-19, more than a quarter had medical appointments or complementary exams postponed or cancelled with 7% over 65 years old with surgeries cancelled or postponed and 32% medical appointments.COVID-19 pandemic also impacted negatively the HRQoL of citizens, especially in the first lockdown. Half of the respondents reported feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge, about 45% of citizens felt sad or depressed. sleeping problems were reported for almost 39% of citizens, and loneliness is reported by 29.3% of citizens. For about 70-85% of citizens, these feelings were more so than before the pandemic. Citizens with fair/strong economic stability were the most economically affected by the pandemic. Conclusion(s): We provided evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on health and W-B of Portuguese citizens. Their health was worse than before the pandemic and the access to healthcare was highly affected.

IMPACT OF FAMILY INCOME ON SANITATION, HYGIENE, AND DISEASES IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN

Oman has performed very well in the healthcare sector since 1970, it has achieved great heights in healthcare delivery. As per world bank data 2020, Oman has achieved 99% in providing basic sanitation services among its citizen and it has maintained this level since 2015.[1]. Centre of Studies Research-CSR-MOH has prepared a strategic plan “Health Vision 2050 for Health Research “to make Oman a regional leader in the Research & Development of Health Sector. As per this document, its mission is to provide a platform and conduct Research in the healthcare sector to address and prioritize healthcare services and reduce inequality in healthcare services among its citizen. This can be a major boost and contribute to socioeconomic development irrespective of the income among the Omani citizen. [2]. For any country to become prosperous needs a large pool of human capital, which can be achieved by providing good education and cheap health services to its citizen. Efficient human capitols lead to a good economy which further leads good GDP for any country. We can say the GDP of any country and its human capital complement each other. In this research paper, I have studied and analyzed the “Income & Expenditure” dataset from the data portal offal Al-Dakhliyah region of Oman, Health Vision document-2050, and Oman World Health Survey-2008. As per the report, Oman has scored very well ahead among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in economic stability, health, civil society, governance, and environment, in current-level Sustainable Economic Development Assessment (SEDA) scores, according to a report.[9]. In this research paper, we have reviewed and studied the impact of family income on sanitation, hygiene, and disease. Qualitative and quantitative methods like data collection using questionnaires, and world bank data and also reviewed various related research papers for our analysis. In this research paper, we have compared pre & post covid impacts on sanitation and hygiene practices among Omani citizens. A systematic review of published literature (2000-2019) evaluating the impact of family income on sanitation, hygiene, and disease. In low-and middle-income families [we used world bank data], we sought to examine the relationship between WASH provisions in healthcare facilities (HCF) and patient satisfaction/care-seeking behavior.[3].

CHANGES IN THE VISEGRAD GROUP ECONOMIES IN LIGHT OF THE MISERY INDEX

The economic performance of countries depends on the stages of the business cycle and changes due to various factors and influences. While the economic crisis of 2008 was triggered by financial factors, the crisis of 2020 was caused by factors of a non-economic nature - the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this paper is to assess changes in the performance and level of economic activity in the Visegrad Group economies in 2009, 2019 and 2020. This assessment is performed using GDP per capita, magic square and the misery index. In 2009, the best performing country was the Czech Republic and the worst was Hungary. In 2019 and 2020, Poland reached a performance level similar to the Czech Republic, and Slovakia performed the worst. © 2022 Mykolo Romerio Universitetas. All rights reserved.

Social Determinants of Health in Children with Severe and Non-severe sars-cov-2 Infection

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to have a compounding effect on families across various social and healthcare needs. However, the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on COVID-19 disease severity in children is unknown. Our objectives were to describe the SDOH in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection and determine their association with severity of the infection Methods: This prospective observational study was supported by the National Institutes of Health RADx program and conducted in the emergency department (ED) of two large children's hospitals. Children ≤ 18 years of age with symptoms due to SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive RT PCR test, serology or epidemiological link) were enrolled between 03/29/2021 and 05/30/2021. Data collected from electronic medical records included demographics, clinical features, treatment, disposition, and outcomes. Severe cases were defined as the following within 30 days of test positivity: diagnosis of Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children or Kawasaki disease, requirement for oxygen > 2L, inotropes, mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), or death. Following informed consent, caregivers were surveyed via an electronic device on previously validated PhenX questions. Aligned with the Healthy People 2020 SDOH framework, caregivers reported on economic stability, education, social and community context, health and health care, and neighborhood and built environment. Stata was used to analyze descriptive statistics, and unadjusted comparisons between groups were assessed using two sample t-tests for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables due to small sizes. Results: A total of 107 children (mean age 6.9 (±5.9) years, 44.9% males), with SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled, and 85 caregivers (79.4%) completed the survey (71.4% Black). In this sample, 97% of children were RT PCR positive, 3% had an epidemiological link, and 23 (27.1%) were categorized as severe. Almost half of caregivers (47.6%) reported employment or income loss due to COVID-19. The three most common SDOH needs identified were that of childcare (22.0%), housing instability (22.0%), and food insecurity (21.7%). Children with severe COVID-19 were significantly more likely to have a caregiver who was single, including never married, separated/divorced, and widowed (82.6% vs. 52.5%;Table 1). Although not statistically significant, children with severe COVID-19 tended to have higher levels of social needs including housing instability, poor caregiver mental health, and lower levels of social support compared to children with nonsevere infection (Table 2). Conclusion: Our preliminary data on SDOH suggest that among children with SARS-CoV-2 infection, housing instability, food insecurity and childcare needs are particularly prevalent. Children with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to have single caregivers. Family structure may influence severe COVID-19 in children and programming and supports for single parent households should be considered. Larger studies in the ED setting will help confirm these findings and to direct resources to address these social needs.

Surveillance of COVID-19 outbreaks in prisons in the US South: The role of economic distress in the communities surrounding prison facilities.

Introduction: The US South is the epicenter of the epidemic of mass incarceration. Prisons have experienced substantial challenges in preventing COVID-19. Incarcerated individuals and prison staff are at a high risk for infection due to minimal available preventive measures. Prisons are not closed systems and many staff come from communities in close proximity to the facility. Characteristics of the communities immediately surrounding prisons are an overlooked but critical factor to better understand the role prisons play in pandemics. Methods: We used facility-level COVID-19 data from the COVID Prison Project to identify the number of unique outbreaks between May 2019 and May 2020. We used a county-level composite indicator of economic distress (DCI score) to identify the environment surrounding each prison (2015-2019). We modeled the number of outbreaks to DCI scores using negative binomial regression, adjusting for race/ethnicity (African American and Latino/Hispanic), age (65 and older), and rurality level. Results: Our sample included 570 prisons in 368 counties across 13 Southern states. We found that score was positively and significantly associated with prison COVID-19 outbreaks (aRR, 1.012; p < 0.0001), and rurality was potentially a stronger surrogate measure of economic distress (aRR, 1.35; p, 0.02). Economic stability is a key precursor to physical health. Poorer communities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and we found that prisons located in these communities were more susceptible to recurring outbreaks. Prison-based disease prevention interventions should consider the impact that the outside world has on the health of incarcerated individuals.

A Comparative Analysis and Overview of Indonesian & Global Debt Restructuring Policies Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic

Since implementing all feasible plans, strategies, and containment measures to avert the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the globe has failed to avoid the rapid spread of a novel coronavirus and its detrimental economic impact on the world. Similarly, the proliferation of COVID-19 has impacted economic stability in Indonesia and debtors' performance and capability to meet their debt commitments, which can potentially impair banking performance in debt management. Thus, drawing on historical crises and debt restructuring literature this study built on recent research (Disemadi & Shaleh, 2020) to shed light on the Indonesian government's/Central bank's debt restructuring policy and its efficacy in rehabilitating the impacted economic sector. Additionally, a comprehensive evaluation of the literature on global debt restructuring policies during COVID-19 is offered. The findings indicate that a successful banking policy directs banks to assist their clients and safeguard shareholders' interests. Additionally, the study's findings suggest that the restructuring scheme's implementation varies by context, based on each bank's regulations and appraisal of the debtor's profile and ability to pay. As a result, extreme steps are advocated during times of crisis to assist the developing economy. The authors make recommendations for future research avenues and policy consequences. © 2022, Institute for Development and International Relations. All rights reserved.

State of the Economy

Overall, macro-economic stability indicators suggest that the Indian economy is well placed to take on the challenges of 2022-23. Indian economy is in a good position due to its unique response strategy. The sharp increase in capital spending by the Government can be seen both as demand and supply enhancing response as it creates infrastructure capacity for future growth. This year's Survey highlights the importance of process reforms in a number of sectors. Chapter II discusses the reforms undertaken in the public procurement policy- launch of Government e- Marketplace (GeM) in 2016 for standard routine use items and the new procurement guidelines issued in October 2021 for non-standard items and projects. Chapter IV discusses for the need for simplification of voluntary liquidation process for corporates and for institutionalising a standard process for Cross Border Insolvency Process. Similarly, chapter IX discusses the simplification of Drone rules and reforms in telecom sector, and the need for reforms in the patent application regime. © Indian Institute of Finance.

ENSURING ECONOMIC STABILITY IN UKRAINE UNDER COVID-19 PANDEMY CONDIOTIONS: ONGOING ISSUES AND IMPROVEMENT PERSPECTIVE

Paper offers a look at the problems of ensuring economic stability in Ukraine in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. A thorough analysis of research papers from developed and developing countries is performed in terms of socio-economic consequences of the coronacrisis and ways to increase economic stability in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The key drivers of the corona-crisis and its impact on the world economy in general and Ukraine in particular are considered. The major socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are highlighted. Examples of measures implemented by governments around the world to restore economic stability in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic are presented. Paper's special focus is on causation in the development of corona-crisis. Emphasis is placed on the atypical course of the corona-crisis in comparison with the << traditional >> financial and socio-economic crises. The peculiarities of the governments' measures around the world under corona-crisis conditions are presented, with a special focus on the levers of social support and digitalization. The best practices for overcoming the negative socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed at strengthening economic stability, are summarized. Examples of measures of social support and digitalization in the context of overcoming the negative consequences of the corona-crisis are given. A review of a set of measures taken by the Government of Ukraine is performed, aimed at strengthening the economic stability of Ukraine. Relevant decisions on overcoming the negative socio-economic consequences of the corona-crisis are highlighted, with a special focus on Ukrainian peculiarities. Potential risk areas of financial and socio-economic nature in the context of the corona-crisis in Ukraine are identified, based on the peculiarities of Ukraine's national economy. Priority areas for the Government of Ukraine measures in the context of socio-economic consequences due to the COVID-19 pandemic are identified. Authors' view of measures in terms of social support and digitalization in Ukraine are presented. Authors emphasize on maintaining a balance between measures aimed at containing COVID-19 spread and measures aimed at stimulating economic growth.

Identifying Economic Resistance Components in COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Iranian Health System

Background: As economic resistance is largely defined as the capacity of an economy to improve or adapt to the effects of unexpected, exterior shocks such as COVID-19 pandemic for health systems, the purpose of this study was to identify the economic resistance components of the Iranian health system during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the content analysis method from 2020 to 2021. The statistical population of the study consisted of health system experts who are familiar with the subject of resistance economy. Using the snowball sampling method, semi-structured interviews with 30 selected participants were done. The reliability and transparency were determined by Guba and Linkon criteria such as credibility, transferability, confirmability, and consistency, or dependability. Data were analyzed using the Clarke and Braun thematic six-step method. Results: It was found that economic growth, economic stability, justice, and economic resilience, as four main components, affected the economic resistance of the health system in COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these components encompasses a number of subcomponents that can help reinforce the health system in two restorative and resilient categories. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, a comprehensive study with an exploratory approach was not retrieved to find the main determinants of economic resistance components in COVID-19 pandemic. The present study can greatly contribute to the available knowledge to guide the policymakers for better understanding of the system during unexpected situations and applying the most applied solutions as well. It may help the health systems particularly those who encounter unpleasant macro-trends and unplanned crises, to keep their preparedness and readiness and improve their resilience.

Methodology for Assessing the Economic Stability of Sectoral Mesoeconomic Systems

The high degree of dynamism of the economic environment, especially manifested at the present stage, characterized by a structural slowdown in the economy and a deterioration in the macroeconomic situation, actualizes the problem of managing the sustainability of economic systems of various levels. Moreover, in these conditions, the implementation of strategic goals is impossible without achieving economic stability, which determines the relevance of ensuring the ability to adapt and resist the disturbing influences of the external environment. Consequently, there is an objective need to constantly assess, monitor and model the state of economic stability. In this context, sectoral mesoeconomic systems, especially of an infrastructural orientation, are no exception. This article presents the results of a study devoted to the development of a methodology for assessing economic stability, the field of application of which is the sectoral meso-level. Using the example of railway transport, the article presents the results of the practical application of the developed methodology aimed at finding benchmarks for restoring the level of economic stability in the transition period and/or after weakening the negative impact of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Factors of Social Determinants of Health Associated with Length of Stay in COVID-19 Patients with Multimorbidity in Southwest Georgia, United States

Background. Previous studies have observed that multimorbidity, defined as two or more comorbidities, is associated with longer lengths of stay (LOS) and higher mortality in patients with COVID-19. In addition, inequality in social determinants of health (SDOH), dictated by economic stability, education access and quality, healthcare access and quality, neighborhoods and built environment, and social and community context have only added to disparities in morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19. However, the relationship between SDOH and LOS in COVID-19 patients with multimorbidity is poorly characterized. Analyzing the effect SDOH have on LOS can help identify patients at high risk for prolonged hospitalization and allow prioritization of treatment and supportive measures to promote safe and expeditious discharge. Methods. This study was a multicenter, retrospective analysis of adult patients with multimorbidity who were hospitalized with COVID-19. The primary outcome was to determine the LOS in these patients. The secondary outcome was to evaluate the role that SDOH play in LOS. Poisson regression analyses were performed to examine associations between individual SDOH and LOS. Results. A total of 370 patients were included with a median age of 65 years (IQR 55-74), of which 57% were female and 77% were African American. Median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 4 (IQR 2-6) with hypertension (77%) and diabetes (51%) being the most common, while in-hospital mortality was 23%. Overall, median length of stay was 7 days (IQR 4-13). White race (-0.16, 95% CI -0.27 to -0.05, p=0.003) and residence in a single-family home (-0.28, 95% CI -0.38 to -0.17, p< 0.001) or nursing home/long term care facility (-0.36, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.21, p< 0.001) were associated with decreased LOS, while Medicare (0.24, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.38, p=0.001) and part-time (0.35, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.57, p=0.002) or full-time (0.25, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.38, p< 0.001) employment were associated with increased LOS. Conclusion. Based on our results, differences in SDOH, including economic stability, neighborhood and built environment, social and community context, as well as healthcare access and quality, have observable effects on COVID-19 patient LOS in the hospital.

Protecting the Unprotected – Occupational health and safety among informal workers in Southern Africa

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that approximately 2 billion people, about 61% of all globally employed people, are in the informal economy. This statistic is substantially higher for continental Africa (approximately 86%), and varies across the continent: 31.5% in South Africa, and exceeding 95% in Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad. The informal sector is characterised by vulnerabilities in income, job security, occupational risks and access to healthcare. The ILO, in addressing these challenges, developed Recommendation 204, the “Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation, 2015”. This provides a policy framework that requires a transition that provides adequate social and labour protection, extends legal coverage and protection and ensures compliance with laws. While this transition is necessary, its character particularly with regard to occupational health and safety, needs to be shaped in accordance with needs of workers, harnessing resources from the formal economy and structuring legal frameworks that prioritise health and social protection. Informal work environments vary from extractive, manufacturing, food preparation, commercial, social and retail. Hazardous exposures vary, with workers having little or no resources to introduce controls or to protect their health. Most lack the knowledge about the risks posed by their exposures. Access to medical surveillance is non-existent. While workplace exposures are important factors, social contexts further drive health outcomes: lack of health facilities close to working environments reduce primary health care access, lack of childcare facilities result in child exposures and precarious conditions increase gender and xenophobic violence. Numerous interventions have been piloted and proposed for protecting the health of workers in this sector, including the ILO initiatives such as Work Improvements in Small Enterprises (WISE). However, the success of any intervention is dependent on the multi-stakeholder context. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic brought into sharp focus the vulnerability of the informal sector – both in terms of economic stability as well as health protection. In South Africa alone, approximately 1.5 million informal sector jobs were lost in the first quarter of 2020. The nature of work has meant that the risk for transmission of infection is extremely high, thus return to work is likely to have resulted in disproportionately higher rates of hospitalisation and death compared to formal workers – but few countries have collected data to better understand the epidemic-related risk of informal work. The growth in the informal economy is a direct result of neo-liberal economic policies championed by government and big-business. The policy infrastructure that encourages the growth in this sector excludes the protection of the health of these workers. All tiers of government should be obliged to commit to policy frameworks, local infrastructure for informal work activity and provision of resources for hazard control and medical surveillance. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that these workers enjoy the rights to safe and healthy workplaces.

Investigating the Impact of the External Environment and Benchmark Characteristics on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor's Construction: A COVID-19 Perspective.

The economic stability of a country, such as Pakistan is dependent on the construction of mega-projects, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, certain external factors and project characteristics may delay the construction of infrastructure projects; scholars have not investigated the development of CPEC from this perspective. In addition, the COVID-19 outbreak has hindered CPEC initiatives. This analysis will examine the effect of external environment factors on CPEC, and benchmark the project's effects on economic stability through CPEC's development by incorporating 523 samples obtained from employees of various CPEC projects. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze all hypotheses proposed here on AMOS 21.0 tools. According to the findings of this study, the CPEC external environment and project benchmark characteristics have a negative effect on the construction of CPEC development. Furthermore, the development of CPEC is found to have a significant effect on economic stability. However, fear of COVID-19 has weakened the relationship between CPEC development and economic stability. Finally, we also discuss the implications and limitations of the study.

Predicting the Distress of Financial Intermediaries using Convolutional Neural Networks

Over the past 15 years, the United States has faced two major economic events - the 2008 financial meltdown and the 2019 Shadow Bank crisis. Now, it faces a new financial emergency brought on by COVID-19. Financial intermediaries comprise institutions such as banks, mutual funds, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, among others, and are a significant part of economic stability. 'Too big to fail' has become a well-known phrase. Therefore, being able to predict the financial distress of a financial intermediary is very important. Traditionally, the Altman Z-score (or a variation thereof), has been used to predict bankruptcy. It uses 5 key financial ratios to create an index score, or Z-score. Predicting financial distress, however, also accounts for companies that may not be currently on the path to bankruptcy, but may be in the future. Contemporary research has shown that combining sentiment analysis with ratio analysis improves the prediction. Our methodology uses both financial ratios and sentiment, but also includes the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), and the keywords 'Going Concern' and 'Concentration Risk'. Using a Convolutional Neural Network, we classified financial intermediaries as either distressed or not distressed with an accuracy of 88.24%. © 2021 IEEE.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Impacts and Combating Strategies in Hospitality & Tourism Industry

Tourism industry is very vast, dynamic and growth-oriented industry which is associated with several other sectors such as hospitality, education, finance, agriculture, transport, medical, real estate etc. The whole socio-economic structure has become still due to global pandemic of novel Corona (COVID-19) which has emerged as a big challenge for the globalization and worldwide operations of enterprises. This problem has led to almost entire shutdown, which ultimately affected the human life, business and economic growth immensely and may exist for both short & long duration depends as the things progress. Major adverse impact has been observed on the Indian hospitality industry struggling with very less demand along with very few upcoming reservations. Effectively, all momentary demands have diminished entirely, except those guests who have been staying for long and the hotels which have been recommended by the government for the stay of international passengers returning back to India. Implementation of Section-144, where mass gathering is prohibited, deferment of Visas, & the lockdown in India and their influences seem to be a big challenge. To combat the socio-economic impacts of this pandemic, Government is making appropriate plans to set up a COVID-19 squad to commence essential measures. Since, tourism industries is among the largest and fastest growing industries world-widely and it is considered to play crucial role in retrieving the socio-economic stability after this pandemic situation. Keeping these points in mind, the present article focuses on the challenges faced by tourism and hospitality industry due to COVID-19 and implementation of strategies to cope up the situation. © 2021 Publishing India Group. All rights reserved.