The COVID-19 pandemic and research shutdown: staying safe and productive

A critical analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and ecosystems and opportunities for circular economy strategies

“…Protecting patients from unnecessary exposure was a driver for telemedicine ( Moazzami et al., 2020 ) and virtual care would become the new reality ( Wosik et al., 2020 ). The necessity for social distancing under lockdown circumstances has also highlighted the importance (and need) for remote working ( Dingel and Neiman, 2020 ; Omary et al., 2020 ), which has had implications for broadband connectivity ( Allan et al., 2020 ) as well as reductions in transportation-related pollution levels ( Spash, 2020 ). The impact of COVID-19 on remote working and digitalisation of work is expected to constitute long-term implications for reduced fossil fuel consumption due to mobility and commuting ( Kanda and Kivimaa, 2020 ).…”

Reinforcing Cardiology Training During a Pandemic

“…With mandatory lab closures and clinical trial pauses, research has been upended at many institutions. 3 Yet the spectrum of COVID-19 cardiac manifestations presents an exciting field of scientific investigation ripe for FIT exploration. We suggest that our leaders: Importantly, it is crucial to explicitly acknowledge that heightened productivity from trainees at this time is a welcomed bonus, but not an expectation.…”

COVID-19: the impact of a global crisis on sustainable development research

“…It also reflects the timing of the mass closure of universities and research institutions (UNESCO 2020 ), when research centers were redesigning their research policies and implementing emergency operation plans (McKinsey and Company 2020 ; Wang et al 2020 ; Omary et al 2020 ). This was particularly the case in relation to the potential damage or complete loss of research, and the need to keep plants or animals alive during university and laboratory closures (Kimbrough 2020 ).…”

“…Driven by the need for social distancing and individual executive orders from the state, many institutions have been severely reducing onsite research and maintaining there only the activities considered essential. Research activities considered critical are allowed, with the possibility of the presence of a single ‘critical laboratory member’ on-site at a time, with a possible rotation system (Omary et al 2020 ). During the crisis caused by COVID-19, most researchers (86.5%) have worked only from the home office.…”