4. Health and Safety (H&S)

Return to August 2020 update

Length:1.8 min read; 377 words

Note: The following paragraphs summarize the category of Health and Safety (H&S) observed in August. More information about the specific category from August (and previous months) can be found in the downloaded report(s).The number in square brackets (e.g., [1]) refers to a reference where the reader can find more information about a specific statement.  The references can be found in the References list below, Systematized References page or in the downloaded report.

H&S has been discussed 15% less in August than in July (20.5% vs. 24%) but overall, the H&S discussion remained on the same level over the past four months (and twofold less in comparison to the April data) with slight decrease, as we know more about the virus. McKinsey & Co. analyzed global response to the pandemic over the past 7 months and provided key lessons to prevent future waves – strategies for leaders in private and public sectors. [27] Interventions are divided into three categories: 1) detecting disease (surveillance and testing); 2) reducing the number of new cases (identification and isolation, physical distancing and airflow, personal protection and hygiene, travel restrictions, and behavior change); 3) limiting mortality (vaccines and therapies, health-system preparedness). Interventions can be tailored for specific (vulnerable) populations and settings. [27] Preventing new cases of COVID-19: a) by canceling mass events (lowers the transmission 25%); b) by restricting capacity in social settings (reduces 30% transmission clusters); c) implementing confinement measures (there was 30% more cases in the US counties without stay-at-home orders); d) managing airflow (2-5 times greater air replacement with high-quality filters). Test-positivity rates above 5% suggest that too many cases are being missed. Approval of one or more COVID-19 vaccine candidates is expected before the end of 2020 – the approval will bring a whole new set of questions. From the available therapies Dexamethasone, an injected corticosteroid, was shown to reduce mortality by 35% in patients requiring mechanical ventilation and by 18% in those requiring oxygen only; Remdesivir has been shown to reduce recovery time by an average of 4 days. [27] The August discussion focuses on the vaccine race [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][14][10] (e.g., Putin approves first COVID-19 vaccine even as trials go on [25][24]), drugs [27][26], symptoms, immunity [29], masks (can cut spread up to 40%) [40][31][30][41][38][39][44][45][27][46] [5][47][42], adequacy of specific COVID-19 response [1][51][49][52][36], return to school [59][60] [405][57] [61][62], etc.

Mental health crisis continues to follow the pandemic and it is worsening. Anxiety and depression are caused by quarantine, unemployment rates, and uncertainties in general. Reopening and workplace re-entry are marked with fears of virus contagion. Mental resilience can help you through the pandemic [66]. Fitwel addresses the importance of considering mental health during crises, and how residential environments can be optimized to promote feelings of well-being. Strategies covered include greenery, outdoor spaces, high quality indoor air, sleep environments, and health-promotion programming. [67] [68] Architects design indoor/outdoor classrooms with easy access to light and air that in addition to social distancing considerations promote wellness and mental health benefits. [304]

Previous July Category Summary

References

[1] J. Gallagher, “Is the world winning the pandemic fight?,” BBC News, Aug. 10, 2020.

[5] S. L. E. CNN, “Frontline workers wearing PPE still at more than three times the risk of Covid-19 infection, new study finds,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 07, 2020).

[10] “Modi Promises Locally-Made Covid-19 Vaccine for All Indians,” Bloomberg.com, Aug. 15, 2020.

[14] P. R. L. M. Business CNN, “Bill and Melinda Gates-backed coronavirus vaccine maker soars in Wall Street debut,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 08, 2020).

[15] “Bill Gates Urges U.S. to Help Poorer Countries Get Vaccines,” Bloomberg.com, Aug. 05, 2020.

[16] A. V. CNN Holly Yan and Christina Maxouris, “FDA won’t ‘cut corners’ to approve a Covid-19 vaccine, commissioner says,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 07, 2020).

[17] “Industry Body Calls Russian Covid-19 Vaccine a Pandora’s Box,” Bloomberg.com, Aug. 10, 2020.

[18] “Moderna, U.S. Reach Deal for 100 Million Covid-19 Vaccine Doses,” Bloomberg.com, Aug. 11, 2020.

[19] “The Vaccine Scramble Is Also a Scramble for Patents,” Bloomberg.com.

[20] E. C. and D. V. CNN, “NIH chief says politically motivated approval of coronavirus vaccine ‘cannot happen,’” CNN. (accessed Oct. 08, 2020).

[21] “Fauci ‘seriously doubts’ the Russia vaccine is ready for widespread use,” Science, Aug. 11, 2020. (accessed Oct. 08, 2020).

[24] CNN, “August 11 coronavirus news: Russia names coronavirus vaccine ‘Sputnik-V,’ says 20 countries have requested more than a billion doses,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 08, 2020).

[25] “Putin Approves First Covid-19 Vaccine Even as Trials Go On,” Bloomberg.com, Aug. 11, 2020.

[26] “Safeguarding the lifeblood of American healthcare: An interview with the CEO of AmerisourceBergen | McKinsey.” (accessed Oct. 03, 2020).

[27] McKinsey & Co, “COVID-19-Pandemic End_online: Preventing future waves of COVID-19: Briefing note #21, August 31, 2020.” (accessed Oct. 03, 2020).

[29] J. C. CNN, “Immunity studies provide a ‘a bit of blue sky’ about protection from Covid-19, experts say,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 08, 2020).

[30] “Measure the risk of airborne COVID-19 in your office, classroom, or bus ride,” Science, Aug. 11, 2020. (accessed Oct. 08, 2020).

[31] “The Odds of Catching Covid on a Flight Are Slim,” Bloomberg.com, Aug. 05, 2020.

[36] L. A. CNN, “New York’s MTA is asking Apple to create a Face ID that works with masks,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 08, 2020).

[38] A. E. CNN, “Researchers created a test to determine which masks are the least effective,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 07, 2020).

[39] S. A. CNN, “The debate over masks today is a lot like the decades-long fight to mandate seat belts,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 07, 2020).

[40] S. A. CNN, “Assaulting a worker who’s enforcing masks is now a felony under a new Illinois law,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 08, 2020).

[41] M. H. CNN Jason Hanna and Ben Tinker, “Model projects nearly 300,000 Americans could die from Covid-19 by December,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 07, 2020).

[42] S. L. CNN, “Delta has banned nearly 250 passengers for refusing to wear masks,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 08, 2020).

[44] A. V. Silicon Valley Forum, Changing Lanes: The Future of Transportation in a Post COVID-19 Era. 2020.

[45] S. Aridi, “How to Prepare for Your Return to the Office,” The New York Times, Aug. 10, 2020.

[46] “LTL Architects Releases Manual of Physical Distancing,” ArchDaily, Aug. 13, 2020. (accessed Oct. 06, 2020).

[47] “Don’t Argue With Anti-Mask Shoppers, CDC Guides Retail Employees,” Bloomberg.com, Aug. 25, 2020.

[49] “Dr. Simon Ourian - Epione on Instagram: ‘Does anyone know their secret ?  I am hoping I will get some objective answers. ( source :…,’” Instagram. (accessed Oct. 07, 2020).

[51] P. H. and J. G. CNN, “Top US health official meets with Taiwan President,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 07, 2020).

[52] “How to Fight Disease in the 1880s: Fresh Air,” Bloomberg.com, Aug. 01, 2020.

[57] “The risks of keeping schools closed far outweigh the benefits,” The Economist.

[59] “Most Americans do not want to send their children back to school,” The Economist, Aug. 07, 2020.

[60] R. F. CNN Sara Weisfeldt and Holly Yan, “Child hospitalizations from Covid-19 surge 23% in Florida as schools statewide must reopen,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 07, 2020).

[61] D. S. G. Correspondent CNN Chief Medical, “Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Why I am not sending my kids back to school,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 08, 2020).

[62] N. V. and J. M. CNN, “Covid-19 in the classroom becomes stark reality for parents,” CNN. (accessed Oct. 08, 2020).

[66] A. Petersen, “Mental Resilience Can Help You Through the Coronavirus Pandemic; Here’s How to Build It.,” Wall Street Journal, Jul. 14, 2020.

[67] “Fitwel: Research to Action: Building Health for All®in the Face of COVID-19.” (accessed Sep. 30, 2020).

[68] “Fitwel: Announcing Fitwel’s NEW Viral Response Module.” (accessed Sep. 30, 2020).

[304] “Reconsidering School Design: Indoor and Outdoor Learning as a Solution for a Healthy Future,” ArchDaily, Aug. 18, 2020. (accessed Oct. 06, 2020).

[405] “Tracking US manufacturers’ shift to PPE during the coronavirus pandemic,” Supply Chain Dive. (accessed Oct. 05, 2020).