Scientific evidence regularly guides policy decisions1, with behavioural science increasingly part of this process2. In April 2020, an influential paper3 proposed 19 policy recommendations ('claims') detailing how evidence from behavioural science could contribute to efforts to reduce impacts and end the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we assess 747 pandemic-related research articles that empirically investigated those claims. We report the scale of evidence and whether evidence supports them to indicate applicability for policymaking. Two independent teams, involving 72 reviewers, found evidence for 18 of 19 claims, with both teams finding evidence supporting 16 (89%) of those 18 claims. The strongest evidence supported claims that anticipated culture, polarization and misinformation would be associated with policy effectiveness. Claims suggesting trusted leaders and positive social norms increased adherence to behavioural interventions also had strong empirical support, as did appealing to social consensus or bipartisan agreement. Targeted language in messaging yielded mixed effects and there were no effects for highlighting individual benefits or protecting others. No available evidence existed to assess any distinct differences in effects between using the terms 'physical distancing' and 'social distancing'. Analysis of 463 papers containing data showed generally large samples; 418 involved human participants with a mean of 16,848 (median of 1,699). That statistical power underscored improved suitability of behavioural science research for informing policy decisions. Furthermore, by implementing a standardized approach to evidence selection and synthesis, we amplify broader implications for advancing scientific evidence in policy formulation and prioritization.

• MeSH
• behaviorální vědy * metody   trendy   MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   etnologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• komunikace MeSH
• kultura MeSH
• lékařská praxe založená na důkazech * metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie * prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• sociální normy MeSH
• veřejné zdravotnictví metody   trendy   MeSH
• vůdcovství MeSH
• vytváření politiky * MeSH
• zdravotní politika * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The emergence of COVID-19 dramatically changed social behavior across societies and contexts. Here we study whether social norms also changed. Specifically, we study this question for cultural tightness (the degree to which societies generally have strong norms), specific social norms (e.g. stealing, hand washing), and norms about enforcement, using survey data from 30,431 respondents in 43 countries recorded before and in the early stages following the emergence of COVID-19. Using variation in disease intensity, we shed light on the mechanisms predicting changes in social norm measures. We find evidence that, after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, hand washing norms increased while tightness and punishing frequency slightly decreased but observe no evidence for a robust change in most other norms. Thus, at least in the short term, our findings suggest that cultures are largely stable to pandemic threats except in those norms, hand washing in this case, that are perceived to be directly relevant to dealing with the collective threat.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• sociální chování MeSH
• sociální normy * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the inadequacy of pandemic preparedness mechanisms worldwide. This study gathered comprehensive data from Czech hospitals, identified possible weaknesses in important areas of crisis preparedness, and quantified changes performed to enhance crisis resilience of healthcare facilities. Methods: Drawing on literature review on pandemic preparedness and hospital crisis management and detailed interviews with hospital representatives, a questionnaire was designed and distributed by email among quality managers of all Czech hospitals. Statistical analysis of their responses was conducted using EZR software. Fisher's exact test and Kruskal-Wallis test, with post hoc testing, were used to assess statistical significance. Results: Achieving response rate of 31.9%, responses from 65 hospitals were analysed. New crisis management policies were necessary in 72.3% of responding hospitals. Furthermore, a majority of the respondents changes indicated the need for changes in policies on general pandemic, human resources and infrastructure and material preparedness. Conclusion: The COVID-19 crisis required significant alterations to previously established hospital crisis management protocols and establishment of new ones. The absence of a unified system for crisis preparedness was noted at hospital and national levels.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemocnice MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• připravenost na pandemii MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Czech music therapists lacked the skills and knowledge to adapt their practice to virtual music therapy (VMT) at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when physical contact was restricted. The aims of this project were to implement the best evidence-based recommendations concerning VMT in the practice of Czech music therapists and increase the number of therapists using VMT. METHODS: The project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework to promote change in the practice of participants. A baseline audit of 26 practitioners was conducted using questionnaires and interviews. The audit criteria consisted of 8 best practice recommendations, followed by the implementation of targeted strategies and a follow-up audit. RESULTS: Of the 26 music therapists, 18 began practicing VMT following the rollout of the implementation strategies. Strategies included educational workshops, instructional materials, technological support, individual counseling, and interactive training sessions. There was an increase in compliance with all audit criteria. The most critical barriers were lack of knowledge about VMT and lack of technical skills; lack of resources; technological challenges; low confidence of music therapists to provide VMT; and reduced need for VMT after the lockdown restrictions were relaxed. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation project helped to overcome temporary pandemic restrictions, increase the quality of VMT practice, develop strategies for VMT training, and identify reasons for using VMT during the pandemic and beyond.

• MeSH
• hudba * MeSH
• lékařská praxe založená na důkazech MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• muzikoterapie * MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

OBJECTIVE: This implementation project compared standard operating procedures, accepted preventive measures, and disinfection procedures between the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (first wave: March 15 to May 31, 2020) and the later stages of the pandemic (second and third waves: September 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021). INTRODUCTION: This project sought to improve compliance with international evidence-based guidelines and clinical standards for the prevention and control of COVID-19 infection during hyperbaric oxygen therapy taking into account the conditions of the local hospital. METHODS: Guided by the JBI evidence implementation framework, seven evidence-based audit criteria were developed for the prevention and control of COVID-19 infection during hyperbaric oxygen therapy. A questionnaire was used to measure compliance in baseline and follow-up audits. RESULTS: Differences between the baseline and follow-up audits were noted for criteria 6 and 7. Criterion 6 increased from 0% to 100% as the hyperbaric facility was equipped with certified ultraviolet-C radiation for air disinfection during the later period, but this equipment was not available in the initial period of the pandemic. Criterion 7 dropped from 100% in the baseline audit to 0% in the follow-up audit because of a significant increase in the operational burden of the treatment capacity of the facility, which made it impossible to comply with the recommended distancing between patients. CONCLUSIONS: Differences were found in preventive measures, disinfection procedures, work organization, and approach to care strategy. The project objectives were met and the implementation strategies proved effective. Larger sample sizes would need be needed to confirm the reproducibility of the results.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• hyperbarická oxygenace * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemocnice MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Exposure to pathogens in public transport systems is a common means of spreading infection, mainly by inhaling aerosol or droplets from infected individuals. Such particles also contaminate surfaces, creating a potential surface-transmission pathway. METHODS: A fast acoustic biosensor with an antifouling nano-coating was introduced to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on exposed surfaces in the Prague Public Transport System. Samples were measured directly without pre-treatment. Results with the sensor gave excellent agreement with parallel quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) measurements on 482 surface samples taken from actively used trams, buses, metro trains and platforms between 7 and 9 April 2021, in the middle of the lineage Alpha SARS-CoV-2 epidemic wave when 1 in 240 people were COVID-19 positive in Prague. RESULTS: Only ten of the 482 surface swabs produced positive results and none of them contained virus particles capable of replication, indicating that positive samples contained inactive virus particles and/or fragments. Measurements of the rate of decay of SARS-CoV-2 on frequently touched surface materials showed that the virus did not remain viable longer than 1-4 h. The rate of inactivation was the fastest on rubber handrails in metro escalators and the slowest on hard-plastic seats, window glasses and stainless-steel grab rails. As a result of this study, Prague Public Transport Systems revised their cleaning protocols and the lengths of parking times during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that surface transmission played no or negligible role in spreading SARS-CoV-2 in Prague. The results also demonstrate the potential of the new biosensor to serve as a complementary screening tool in epidemic monitoring and prognosis.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * MeSH
• doprava MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• respirační aerosoly a kapénky MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted some potential limitations of transmission-based precautions. The distinction between transmission through large droplets vs aerosols, which have been fundamental concepts guiding infection control measures, has been questioned, leading to considerable variation in expert recommendations on transmission-based precautions for COVID-19. Furthermore, the application of elements of contact precautions, such as the use of gloves and gowns, is based on low-quality and inconclusive evidence and may have unintended consequences, such as increased incidence of healthcare-associated infections and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms. These observations indicate a need for high-quality studies to address the knowledge gaps and a need to revisit the theoretical background regarding various modes of transmission and the definitions of terms related to transmission. Further, we should examine the implications these definitions have on the following components of transmission-based precautions: (i) respiratory protection, (ii) use of gloves and gowns for the prevention of respiratory virus infections, (iii) aerosol-generating procedures and (iv) universal masking in healthcare settings as a control measure especially during seasonal epidemics. Such a review would ensure that transmission-based precautions are consistent and rationally based on available evidence, which would facilitate decision-making, guidance development and training, as well as their application in practice.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• kontrola infekce * metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• osobní ochranné prostředky * MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• přenos infekce z pacienta na zdravotnického pracovníka prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• respirační aerosoly a kapénky MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

To respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments frequently resorted to declaring the state of emergency, fuelling contestations over the abuse of public powers and effectiveness of the measures to induce compliance. This article examines how the denial of the political nature of emergency governance known as depoliticisation undermines government credibility and may suit anti-democratic actors. We contribute to understanding the relationship between depoliticisation and democracy by showing how Slovak coalition parties during key parliamentary debates on the state of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic insisted on depoliticising the pandemic while parliamentary opposition parties with anti-democratic leanings successfully opted for its repoliticisation. Repoliticising a key decision on managing the public health emergency granted credibility to illiberal political actors at the expense of the government, cautioning against depoliticisation strategies to be invoked by democrats in fragile democracies. Instead, accepting that such decisions are political may prevent the loss of credibility due to unsuccessful rhetorical practices of depoliticisation.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• politika MeSH
• veřejné zdravotnictví MeSH
• vláda MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Publikace se zaměřuje na prevenci globálních pandemií a šíření infekčních nemocí. Určeno široké veřejnosti.

• MeSH
• kontrola infekčních nemocí MeSH
• ochrana veřejného zdraví MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• primární prevence MeSH
• vakcinace MeSH
• vakcíny MeSH
• Publikační typ
• monografie MeSH
• populární práce MeSH

• Konspekt
• Veřejné zdraví a hygiena
• NLK Obory
• preventivní medicína
• epidemiologie
• veřejné zdravotnictví

BACKGROUND: Pandemics as health and humanitarian crises have exerted traceable impacts on food security. Almost all past and current pandemics have created a food crisis that affects a share of the global population and threaten global food security. With the more frequent outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging diseases or pandemics, this paper looks at the various types of impacts from the current coronavirus crisis and past pandemics to identify their major impact on food security. SCOPE: To this effect, key strategies that could be put in place to ensure the efficient resilience of food systems before, during, and after the pandemics to mitigate the negative impact of the pandemics on global food security are recommended. The most recent effects of the current coronavirus crisis have been disruptions in the flow of farm labourers and inefficient farm operations leading to postharvest food losses. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: Modification of diets between social groups has also been observed. Future response orientations to prevent and mitigate the effects of pandemics on food security will consider pro-active and adapted policy, program, and institutional actions towards the systemic development of global food systems as an interconnected network.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   MeSH
• epidemický výskyt choroby MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• zajištění potravin MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH