Coping With COVID-19: Learning From Past Pandemics to Avoid Pitfalls and Panic

Halperin, Daniel T.

doi:10.9745/ghsp-d-20-00189

Cited by 17 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…That Sweden's mortality is lower than those European countries becomes even more evident if comparing via excess mortality (current deaths compared to typical levels in preceding years), instead of relying only on official Covid-19 mortality rates (for which Belgium and Sweden have maintained near completely accurate data). 1,11,12 Thus while official statistics would suggest, for example, that Belgium's death rate is not only the world's highest but is about double that of neighboring Netherlands', if instead the comparison is based upon excess mortality the two countries' actual death rates appear much closer. 1,12 (It would therefore be mistaken to conclude that Belgium's mitigation efforts have necessarily been inferior to the Netherland's, since the more pertinent explanation may simply involve an issue of data reporting quality.)…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,11,12 Thus while official statistics would suggest, for example, that Belgium's death rate is not only the world's highest but is about double that of neighboring Netherlands', if instead the comparison is based upon excess mortality the two countries' actual death rates appear much closer. 1,12 (It would therefore be mistaken to conclude that Belgium's mitigation efforts have necessarily been inferior to the Netherland's, since the more pertinent explanation may simply involve an issue of data reporting quality.) Along similar lines, excess deaths as of June 1, 2020 were considerably lower in Sweden than in a number of other countries.…”

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confidence: 99%

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The Covid-19 Lockdown “Natural Experiment” That Has Already Been Conducted

Halperin¹

2020

Preprint

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It is noteworthy that in the six U.S. states which never imposed stricter isolation measures, as of June 1, 2020 observable increases in new cases and deaths have not occurred, compared to demographically and otherwise similar neighboring states that imposed tight lockdowns. This is consistent with the fact that modeling forecasts of a sharp uptick of deaths across the United States -- as many (also largely rural) states began reopening around early May of 2020 -- turned out to be considerably overdrawn. A key implication of the experience from the six non-lockdown U.S. states, as well as from Sweden, is not that Covid-19 mortality deaths in those places have been lower, but rather that if outcomes have not generally been worse than elsewhere this suggests that similar results may be achieved at substantially lesser economic and societal cost. The urge to apply a one-size-fits-all approach should be reexamined.

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

The Covid-19 Lockdown “Natural Experiment” That Has Already Been Conducted

Halperin¹

2020

Preprint

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“…These strategies are very similar to those applied in high-income countries, but the contexts are very different, which seems to have led to suboptimal results. 1 11 Several factors such as the age structure of the population, the political and security stability and the capacity of the country to implement them need to be taken into account. Their importance in slowing down the spread of COVID-19 is beyond doubt; however, the negative socioeconomic impact on the population needs to be taken into account even more for poor countries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They are likely to have potentially serious psychosocial consequences, to contribute to deprive many patients of care and to lead to political disturbances. 1 11 Moreover, the ultimately limited benefits of these measures in reducing COVID-19-related mortality make it important to weigh their merits against their negative impacts.…”

Section: Willingness To Comply With Physical Distancing Measures Is Umentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The world is facing an unprecedented crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic with many unknowns, which has led to much confusion and anxiety. 1 Public health measures have for centuries been the cornerstone of the response to epidemics. 2 Among them, physical distancing measures aim to reduce contact between infected and uninfected people.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Willingness to comply with physical distancing measures against COVID-19 in four African countries

Ahmed

Millimouno³

et al. 2020

BMJ Glob Health

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Coping with COVID-19 pandemic: reflections of older couples living alone in urban Odisha, India

Mahapatra

Sahoo

Desaraju

2021

Prim Health Care Res Dev

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Aim: We explored the ‘coping reflections’ of elderly couples living alone (without any other family members) during the COVID-19 pandemic in urban Odisha, India. Background: Evidence worldwide suggests that older people are at increased risk from COVID-19 adverse outcomes and experience greater stress. In our previous community-based study urban dwelling, particularly elderly participants, and living alone reported higher pandemic-associated health care challenges than their rural and residing-with-family counterparts. We intended to explore how the elderly couples living alone coped through this challenging yet stressful situation during the COVID-19 pandemic and what were their key strategies adopted toward this. Methods: We conducted telephonic in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 11 urban elderly couples living alone in Bhubaneswar city of Odisha, India using a semi-structured interview guide. All IDIs were digitally recorded, transcribed into the original language, and translated to English. We used a thematic approach for analysis. Findings: Four themes emerged: (1) Risk appraisal and feeling vulnerable; (2) Safeguarding against COVID-19; (3) Managing routine health care and emergency; and (4) Pursuing mental and psychological well-being. Although fear, anxiety, and loneliness were continuing stressors, many of them learnt to adapt and emerge resilient with the evolving situation. Various elements at the individual, family, community, and organizational levels were conducive to better coping. The companionship and complementary support of spouse, self-health literacy, and digital efficacy, virtual connectedness with family and friends, availability of community pharmacy and diagnostic services in the vicinity, support of neighbors, reengaging with creative leisure time activity, and assurance of a responsive administration at the time of emergency helped them to cruise through the pandemic. Furthermore, watching the re-telecast of prime time serials made these elderly fondly remember their own youth time memories. Self-health monitoring, indoor physical exercise, spiritual practices, continuation of previous prescription, telephonic advice of physicians were add-on strategies that facilitated their physical and psychological well-being during the pandemic.

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Coping With COVID-19: Learning From Past Pandemics to Avoid Pitfalls and Panic

Cited by 17 publications

References 37 publications

The Covid-19 Lockdown “Natural Experiment” That Has Already Been Conducted

The Covid-19 Lockdown “Natural Experiment” That Has Already Been Conducted

Willingness to comply with physical distancing measures against COVID-19 in four African countries

Coping with COVID-19 pandemic: reflections of older couples living alone in urban Odisha, India

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