COVID-19 Pandemic resulted in social mobility and travel restrictions to contain the infection. It has been reported that there happened post-pandemic surge in the use of the internet and social media as people rely on it more often for entertainment, work, and learning purposes. It is also been used as an unhealthy coping strategy for pandemic related stress. The smartphone was found to be the most common gadget used for accessing internet-based services. Owing to the postural alterations related to the small screen size of smartphones, neck pain was reported very commonly among smartphone users. Neck pain among smartphone users is a public health concern needing immediate attention in the pandemic time. Many of the risk factors leading to neck pain among smartphone users are modifiable. The authors outline preventive strategies that are mostly self- regulated. The strategies recommended include reducing Smartphone usage time (Smartphone-Free Time, Smartphone-Free Zone), maintaining ideal posture (Focus Breaks, Mobility Breaks, How am I keeping my posture?, Hands-free alternatives), doing regular exercises, preparing and following an activity schedule, and inculcating healthy habits. References Sohrabi C, Alsafi Z, O’Neill N, Khan M, Kerwan A, Al-Jabir A, et al. World Health Organization declares global emergency: A review of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Int J Surg 2020; 76: 71–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.02.034 Király O, Potenza MN, Stein DJ, King DL, Hodgins DC, Saunders JB, et al. Preventing problematic internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Consensus guidance. Compr Psychiatry 2020; 100:152180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152180 Sun Y, Li Y, Bao Y, Meng S, Sun Y, Schumann G, et al. Brief Report: Increased Addictive Internet and Substance Use Behavior During the COVID‐19 Pandemic in China. 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COVID-19 pandemic forced governments to enact mobility restrictions to contain the spread of infection. Elderly, especially those with co-morbidities, are highly susceptible to infections. Hence, reverse quarantine measures have been enacted to protect the elderly. The barriers in social connectedness have an impact on the mental and physical well-being of the elderly. Stress, anxiety, anger, confusion, depression, and suicidal tendencies are reported among the elderly kept in social isolation. Apart from the elderly, their family caregivers also go through similar physical and psycho-social stress. Many times, the caregivers are also having additional responsibilities of childcare and homeschooling during the pandemic time. The authors outline the various intricate issues and dimensions of the pandemic's effect on the elderly and their caregivers. Various feasible strategies to address these multidimensional problems faced by the elderly and their caregivers during the pandemic time, like mobile-based mindfulness meditation training, spiritual support, telephone-based psychotherapy, telehealth services, physical exercise promotion, and social support measures, are recommended.
As per 2011 census there are 2.68 crore differently abled persons in the country. Assistive devices and equipments can significantly help persons with disabilities to become independent in daily activities. There are many eminent technical educational institutions in India and many are conducting research works for the development of assistive technology for the differently abled. So an extensive search was conducted to explore the assistive technology related projects undertaken in India. Out of 137 studies retrieved 34 met the inclusion criteria. The result shows that many researches are being carried out for the development of assistive technology in India. Many of the products are in the prototype stage or in the feasibility stage. It emphasises the need for extensive field testing and commercial production of the assistive technologies. Such initiatives will lead to differently abled empowerment. The authors put forward some suggestions in this regard.
The pandemic disrupts the functioning of most sectors and exposes the shortcomings and vulnerabilities among many. Literature search in leading databases reveals that though shocked by the crisis, many industries and organizations have reinvented themselves through various strategies to overcome the consequences of the pandemic. After a thorough analysis of individual articles, the authors found out that human resource management considers the disruptive changes in the working pattern, challenges, and opportunities ahead and makes appropriate changes to create an efficient workforce for the future with the help of technology that has become an inevitable companion in human resource management and not a panacea for uncertainties and crises ahead.
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