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How Not To Go Viral? A Covid-19 Handbook For Students

University press releases and calendars

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Experiences Of College Students With Visual Disabilities During The Covid-19, Bhuwan Shankar Bhatt, Kanchan K. Joshi, Purna B. Lamichhane

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This case study explores the experiences of Nepalese college students with visual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, applying Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory as a theoretical framework. Through in-depth interviews with eight students with visual disabilities studying bachelor and master level at a public college, this research describes challenges and chances across five primary domains of the ecological perspective. The study showed the critical role of immediate support circles in academic and social contexts, the needed interactions between parents and educational institutions, observable gaps in institutional support and government policies, and the dual role of the pandemic as a challenge and …

What Covid-19 Taught Extension: Experiences Of Extension County Engagement Specialists Promoting Vaccinations In Meat Processing Plants In Rural Missouri., Wilson Majee, Ifeolu David, Lynelle Phillips, Rachel Buenemann, Kassandra Maturino

Journal of Extension

Extension played a significant role, in collaboration with other key community organizations, by disseminating information that debunked COVID-19 myths, and promoting vaccinations at the community level. In this article we present insights from the experiences of Extension faculty at the University of Missouri who were engaged in promoting COVID-19 vaccinations for meat processing plant workers. Findings from this quality improvement project highlight opportunities for leveraging Extension field faculty, and challenges to consider in future public health promotion efforts.

Estimated Impact Of 2022–2023 Influenza Vaccines On Annual Hospital Burden In The United States, Kaiming Bi, Shraddha Ramdas Bandekar, Anass Bouchnita, Annalise Cramer, Spencer J Fox, Rebecca K Borchering, Matthew Biggerstaff, Lauren Ancel Meyers

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

During the COVID-19 pandemic early years, infection prevention measures suppressed transmission of seasonal influenza and other respiratory viruses. The early onset and moderate severity of the US 2022-2023 influenza season may have resulted from reduced use of nonpharmaceutical interventions or lower population immunity after 2 y of limited influenza virus circulation. We used a mathematical model of influenza virus transmission that incorporates vaccine-derived protection against both infection and severe disease to estimate the impact of influenza vaccines on healthcare burden. Assuming reported levels of past vaccine effectiveness (VE) against infection and hospitalization, we estimate that influenza vaccines prevented 69,886 (95% …

The Impact Of Npo Credibility On Enterprise Brand Image In Cause-Related Marketing: A Study Based On The Mediating Effect Of Perceived Corporate Hypocrisy, Jun Wang, Ling Zheng, Xinyi Li, Chiquan Guo

Marketing Faculty Publications

In recent years, scandals regarding the malpractices of many nonprofit organizations (NPOs) for selfish ends have eroded public trust in them. Therefore, it is necessary to consider whether the credibility of NPOs, as one of the three key implementers in cause-related marketing (CRM) campaigns, has a transfer effect on enterprise brand image. The aim of the current study is to examine the relationship between NPO credibility and enterprise brand image, along with its underlying mechanism and boundary conditions. Drawing on the affect-transfer model as well as attribution theory, we propose a theoretical model. This model highlights the mediating role of …

Labor Rights And Financial Implications For Smes In Kosovo During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Arbnor Hajdari, Bekim Syla

UBT International Conference

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for developing economies, fundamentally testing the resilience of labor market structures and the adaptability of the workforce. In Kosovo, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which represent the cornerstone of the national economy, were disproportionately impacted by stringent public health restrictions, limited access to finance, and persistent uncertainty This study seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of the extent to which labor rights and social protection mechanisms were exercised during the pandemic, as well as to assess the broader financial and socio-economic implications for SMEs. The findings indicate pervasive informality in employment relations, coupled with …

The Challenge Of Domestic Violence In The Balkan States, Marigona Bajraktaraj, Florent Azemi

UBT International Conference

Domestic violence is a major social problem that includes physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and psychological forms.It appears as a repeated pattern of behavior aimed at control and domination over the partner, affecting the lives of all family members.The main characteristics are the abuse of power and the violation of the victim’s fundamental rights. The consequences manifest in pain, suffering, and the undermining of the victim’s health and safety.Many victims remain in abusive relationships due to fear and threats of harm.Balkan states have criminalized domestic violence and established penalties for offenders. The phenomenon is also linked to femicide and has worsened …

Acute Mastoiditis In Children During The Covid Era: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Erin Briggs, Isabelle J. Chau, Shaun A. Nguyen, Justin C. Pelic, Erin A. Harvey, Ted A. Meyer

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

OBJECTIVE: Explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric acute mastoiditis (AM).

DATA SOURCES: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus.

METHODS: Literature was searched from 2014 to 2025 for articles reporting AM in children. Specific outcomes included clinical presentation, bacterial epidemiology, complications, and management. Primary outcome measures included continuous measures (mean), proportions (%), mean difference (Δ), and relative risk (RR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS: There were seven included studies (N = 1001 children) with 632 patients in the pre-COVID cohort and 369 in the COVID-era cohort. There was a significant difference in the proportion of intracranial complications …

University Students’ Condom Use During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Cross-Cultural Differences And What Predict Them, Liam Dacosta, James S. Morandini, Rebecca T. Pinkus, Elien De Caluwé, Lik Sam Chan, Olivine Lo, Saowanee Thongnopakun, Sawitree Visanuyothin, Cheryl Harasymchuk, Samantha Joel, Helen C. Harton, Alyssa Mccoy, Victoria Dale, David L. Rodrigues, Judit Takács, Alexandra Sipos, Veronica M. Lamarche, Racidon Bernarte, Viktorija Čepukienė, Ivana M. Jakšić, Bojana Bodroža, Huỳnh Hồng Mai, Tran Thi Hong, Grace Akello, Ivana Hromatko, Asha Ganesan, Jiawei Zhang, Damian Murray, James Moran, Juan Ramón Barrada, Ángel Castro, Claudia Navarro-Roldan, Kuan-Pin Su, Jane Chang, Matthew B. Ruby, Donya Ziadlou, Shin Nakamine, Yutaka Watanabe, Albert Lee, Richelle-Joy Chia, Ilan Dar-Nimrod

Faculty Publications

Humans instinctively adopt methods to reduce their risk of encountering harmful pathogens, yet their adherence to preventive health practices can often be erratic. Condoms exemplify one vital preventive tool against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that, despite their effectiveness, are not consistently utilized. This pattern of behavior appears to persist even during periods of widespread disease transmission, with varied data from the COVID-19 pandemic indicating that condom usage remained inconsistent. The present study aimed to clarify these inconsistencies by examining changes in condom use cross-culturally. Heterosexual participants who were sexually active (N = 3,972 [1,327 men, 2,645 women], Mage= 22.82) across …

Occupational Balance Of Occupational Therapy Students Before And After Occupational Disruption Caused By Covid-19, Juan Pablo Saa, Georgia King, Kylee Lockwood, Tamara Tse

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions have caused occupational disruption, yet little is known about their relationship with occupational balance, student satisfaction, and stress. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the occupational balance of occupational therapy students in the state of Victoria, Australia, and its association with measures of life satisfaction and distress.

Method: Participants completed the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ-11) twice (once rating their occupational balance before COVID-19 social distancing restrictions and again during the time these restrictions were in place); the Global Life Satisfaction Questionnaire; and the Depression, Anxiety and …

Trajectory Of Tinnitus Distress Across The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Self-Reported Symptoms, Anusha Yellamsetty, Mika Shin

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate retrospectively self-reported changes in tinnitus severity and distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination using validated self-report instruments. It further explored patient-reported onset of tinnitus following vaccination, gender differences in symptom severity, and associations with psychological distress. Method: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 189 adults between December 2023 and April 2024. Participants retrospectively self-reported tinnitus onset and severity before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire (TRQ). Additional items assessed COVID-19 vaccination history, infection status, and adverse vaccine reactions. Repeated measures …

Pharmacist Quality Of Work-Life During Covid-19 Pandemic In Cagayan De Oro, Junnin Gay Labrigas Garay, Rugine Riel D. Barsobia, Zoe Kyra Evasco, Bonnie Louise Elorde

Pacific Journal of Health

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists have been one of the most accessible healthcare workers working in the frontline providing the medication and drug needs of patients. Their roles and responsibilities in work expanded and to some redefined as the pandemic hit. Adjustments in their work, and workplaces were also implemented in adherence to the pandemic situation. The quality of work life of frontline pharmacists were affected because of the changes brought by the pandemic. A descriptive qualitative study design was used to determine the pharmacist’s quality of work-life during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cagayan de Oro City. The place was …

Strain-Specific Variability In Viral Kinetics, Cytokine Response, And Cellular Damage In Air-Liquid Cultures Of Human Nasal Organoids After Infection With Sars-Cov-2, Gina M Aloisio, Trevor J Mcbride, Letisha Aideyan, Emily M Schultz, Ashley M Murray, Anubama Rajan, Erin G Nicholson, David Henke, Laura Ferlic-Stark, Amal Kambal, Hannah L Johnson, Elina A Mosa, Fabio Stossi, Sarah E Blutt, Pedro A Piedra, Vasanthi Avadhanula

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

SARS-CoV-2 variants have demonstrated distinct epidemiological patterns and clinical presentations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding variant-specific differences at the respiratory epithelium is crucial for understanding their pathogenesis. Here, we utilized human nasal organoid air-liquid interface (HNO-ALI) cell cultures to compare the viral replication kinetics, innate immune response, and epithelial damage of six different strains of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.2, WA, Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron). All variants replicated efficiently in HNO-ALIs, but with distinct replication kinetic patterns. The Delta variant exhibited delayed replication kinetics, achieving a steady state at 6 days post-infection compared to 3 days for other variants. Cytokine analysis revealed …

Religious Festivals In The Age Of ‘Lockdown’ And ‘Social Distancing’: A Comparative Study Of Easter, Eid, Passover, Rama Navami, And Vaisakhi., Irfan Raja, Rev. Ruth Dowson, Abdul Basit Shaikh, Ivan Cohen, Nasser N. Alotaibi

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Religious practices can conjure distinctive ideas and images for different groups of people, especially religious festivals, which are signs of congregations, celebrations, and contentment, usually to mark the completion of religious obligations. All major religions celebrate notable festivals to mark important events and religious obligations that bring together followers of that faith. The year 2020 will be remembered as unique in the history of all faiths. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, governments across the world announced compulsory measures such as ‘social distancing’ and ‘lockdown’ to avoid the spread of Coronavirus. Thus, all major religions either cancelled or reduced …

From Paper To Pixels: How Covid-19 Changed Teachers’ Perspectives Toward Technology, Nora Knight

Honors Theses

As schools transitioned to virtual education during the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers faced numerous instructional, technological, and emotional challenges. The purpose of this research study is to explore how K-5 elementary school teachers navigated the transition to remote instruction during all stages of the pandemic. Additionally, it examines teachers’ perspectives on technology integration in their classrooms throughout COVID-19, focusing on their preparedness, confidence, and instructional decision-making as they adapted to online teaching. A mixed-methods survey was distributed to 108 elementary school teachers in Madison County, Kentucky. The results revealed educators’ feelings and experiences with educational technology before, during, and after the …

Psychological Impact And Severity Condition During The Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic Among The General Population In Iraq, Kawthar Nassir, Zainab Qasim, Nesif Al-Hemiary, Zahraa Al Nedawi

Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Background: the COVID-19 pandemic is a global healthcare crisis that impacts multiple body systems and is linked to various psychiatric issues.Objective: this study aims to assess psychological symptoms, sleep disturbances, and insomnia associated with infection by covid-19, examining the severity of these symptoms based on the perceived threat of infection. Patients and Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study of a convenient sample of patients, involved collecting medical data by distributing questionnaires under a psychiatrist’s supervision. The data included demographics, co-morbidities, disease severity, psychological measurements, treatment response, and prognosis. The questionnaires incorporated the Anxiety and Stress Scale, along with the Impact of …

Tort Immunity Waiver For Vaccine Injuries: Ethical And Legal Perspectives, Tammy W. Cowart, Gregory L. Bock

Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, and Business-Law Faculty Publications and Presentations

The COVID pandemic highlighted the importance of vaccine development and availability worldwide. Operation Warp-Speed in the United States accelerated vaccine production by several major pharmaceutical manufacturers, averting some of the normal administrative processes. The result has been a financial windfall for those companies. Some recent data has shown that the COVID vaccine can cause negative side effects in some patients. There are provisions in U.S. law that allow victims of vaccine injuries to recover compensation through the court system. However, even then tort remedies are limited by federal law. Since the review process was rushed during the pandemic, should tort …

Multilateral Organizations And Health Emergency Management During Crisis: The Case Study Of The World Health Organization During Covid-19 Pandemic, Aya Helmy Hamada

Theses and Dissertations

Multilateral organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), play a key role in managing health emergencies during crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO achieved significant progress by supporting countries with technical assistance, guidelines, and essential resources. As well as providing technical guidance, sharing information, and coordinating among member states. This experience highlighted the importance of WHO in tackling global public health problems and showed how multilateral collaboration can help address complex challenges. Moreover, risk and crisis communication proved to be a critical part of WHO’s response, ensuring that clear and timely information reached the public and stakeholders. Despite these …

Violence Of Husbands Against Reproductive Age Wives During Covid-19 Pandemic, Zainab Aljoori, Mushtaq Hashim

Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in domestic violence, affecting women's physical and mental health through direct and indirect means. A history of violence can increase the risk of various diseases, and severe abuse can persist even after the violence ceases.MethodsA cross-sectional web-based survey that included 500 women calculated according to Roasoft calculator based on previously published Iraqi studies , it was convenience sampling and was conducted between June and September among 15-49 year old Iraqi women, recruited via social media platforms, and completed until a sample size of 500 forms was collected.ResultsThe study found that psychological violence …

Bridging The Rural Telehealth Divide, Deborah Farringer

Law Faculty Scholarship

This article examines the historical development, regulatory landscape, and post-pandemic future of telehealth in the United States, with a particular focus on its original purpose: improving access to care for rural populations. Although Congress first authorized Medicare reimbursement for telehealth in 1997 to alleviate rural health disparities, federal and state regulatory frameworks—especially restrictions on originating sites, licensure rules, and HIPAA-driven technology requirements—significantly limited adoption for more than two decades. The COVID-19 public health emergency triggered sweeping temporary waivers that removed geographic limitations, permitted the use of common communication technologies, liberalized supervision and prescribing rules, and allowed audio-only encounters. These changes …

Covid-19 Booster Vaccine Messaging In Emergency Departments: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial, Melanie F Molina, Stephanie A Eucker, Kristin L Rising, Efrat R Kean, Zubaid Rafique, Heba Mesbah, David V Glidden, Mireya I Arreguin, Christopher Alvarez, Robert M Rodriguez

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Importance: Patient uptake of updated COVID-19 vaccines is crucial for reducing severe outcomes, yet national uptake remains low.

Objective: To determine if tailored messaging or simple inquiry about vaccine acceptance increases 30-day uptake of updated COVID-19 vaccines among emergency department (ED) patients.

Design, setting, and participants: This 3-arm, cluster randomized clinical trial conducted from January 29 to June 18, 2024, enrolled adult ED patients who had not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the prior 6 months across 6 EDs in San Francisco, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Houston, Texas; and Durham, North Carolina.

Interventions: Intervention M involved tailored messaging about updated COVID-19 …

Electronic Device Usage During Covid-19 And Suspected Developmental Delay In Rural Thai Children: A Case-Control Study, Kunnara Maneekunwong, Pimkanabhon Trakooltorwong, Salisa Kodyee, Nathamon Wutthipan, Chompunut Sopajaree, Katemanee Moonpanane

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the way in which people interact with and use technology, particularly in early childhood. This study investigated the relationship between electronic device usage during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural Thailand and suspected developmental delay (SDD) in early childhood. A case-control study aimed to investigate the relationship between suspected SDD and electronic device usage among children aged 2–5 and their primary caregivers in Chiang Rai province, Thailand. The cases were children with SDD, whereas the controls were children with age-appropriate development. The Developmental Surveillance and Promotion Manual (DSPM) and the Screen Media Exposure (SME) questionnaire …

Understanding Covid-19 Message Fatigue And Reactance In A Post-Crisis Context, Lillian Hamilton Mantel

Dissertations and Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted widespread public health messaging encouraging behaviors such as vaccination, mask-wearing, and staying home when sick. However, persistent exposure to these messages has sometimes produced unintended effects, including message fatigue and psychological reactance. Drawing on psychological reactance theory (PRT) and the integrative model of behavioral prediction (IMBP), this study examines the relationships between message fatigue, psychological reactance, and behavioral intentions toward three COVID-19 preventive behaviors: vaccination, masking, and staying home when sick. A survey of 348 U.S. adults assessed participants' levels of message fatigue, psychological reactance, attitudes, perceived norms, self-efficacy, response efficacy, collective efficacy, and behavioral intentions. …

Whole-Blood Cellular Responses: A Promising Indicator Of Sars-Cov-2 Immunity Compared To Serology, Lucas M. Zhou, Elizabeth H. Duncan, Rupsa C. Boelig, Margaret Costanzo, Jeffrey R. Currier, Elke S. Bergmann-Leitner

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Background: Currently available immunological tests for SARS-CoV-2 assess only antibody responses. Despite the growing evidence that T cells play a crucial role in protection, especially against emerging viral variants, no routine test is available to determine T cell immunity. The prognostic value of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies for determining whether individuals are immune and protected against disease remains uncertain. This is in part due to the following: (a) specificity and limitations such as the sensitivity of antibody tests, and (b) the lack of correlation between antibody titers (quantity) and the antiviral function of antibodies (quality). Approximately a quarter of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients with …

Dilemmas And Prospects Of Infectious Disease Prevention In Long-Term Care: A Qualitative Study, Po-Jen Kung, Ching-Min Chen, Nancy Reynolds

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Aim: To explore the experiences of long-term care workers in preventing emerging infectious diseases, the challenges they faced during the pandemic, and how they were addressed.

Design: This study used an exploratory qualitative research design.

Methods: The study involved various long-term care institutions across Taiwan. Twelve interviewees, including four nurses, four nursing assistants, and four managers, were recruited via purposive sampling. All interviewees worked in the sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, were actively involved in clinical care or institutional management, and were proficient in Mandarin. In-depth interviews were conducted face-to-face between July and August 2024, and data …

The Covid-19 Pandemic And College Students' Experiences: A Phenomenological Study, Mervin L. Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and comprehend the lived experiences of college students at North Carolinian colleges and universities during the interruption and transitions of studies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This research used qualitative inquiry design and employed Schlossberg’s transition theory to guide the study. Schlossberg’s transition theory correlates with this research and phenomenological exploration because it underscores the varying abilities and incapacities of students to persist through their studies during challenging circumstances. The setting for this research was North Carolinian higher education institutions within Mecklenburg County which boast 17 colleges and universities within a 50-mile …

“Sisters, Are You Running Out Of Menstrual Supplies??”: Exploring #Sistersfightpandemicwithease And Tactical Hashtag Feminism In The Covid-19 Crisis, Qingyue Sun

Interdisciplinary Studies

This article examines the hashtag feminism movement#SistersFightPandemicWithEase (#SFPWE) on Weibo, analyzing how it navigated state censorship, online misogyny, and platform governance during the Wuhan lockdown in China. Through qualitative analysis, I argue that #SFPWE diverges from traditional hashtag feminism,instead operating as a form of pragmatic feminism in crisis. The movement embodies what I term tactical feminist activism—an issue-based advocacy that prioritizes pragmatic problem-solving over structural critique. Its tactical nature lies in its ability to appear politically non-threatening and temporarily valuable to authorities. However, findings indicate that #SFPWE ultimately reinforced state legitimacy rather than challenging the structural gender inequalities underlying the …

Unvaccinated By Doubt: How Covid-19 Governance Sparked A Measles Outbreak, Ellen Black

Law Faculty Scholarship

This Article examines how the erosion of public trust in government and public health institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the resurgence of measles in the United States. It argues that pandemic-era governance—marked by inconsistent scientific messaging, politically charged public health mandates, and the federal government’s coordination with social media platforms to suppress dissenting viewpoints—generated widespread skepticism that continues to undermine vaccination uptake. Through a detailed analysis of lockdown policies, vaccine and mask mandates, and the subsequent revelations regarding governmental influence over online content moderation, the Article demonstrates how conflicting guidance and perceived censorship fostered long-lasting public doubt. …

Adaptive Ensemble Approaches For Face Mask Detection Using Transfer Learning Model, Faisal Alshanketi

University of Bisha Journal for Basic and Applied Sciences

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, wearing a mask has become mandatory and remains crucial in the ongoing pandemic. In certain situations and conditions, masks may be required periodically. However, manually monitoring large crowds of people to ensure they are wearing masks in public places or events can be an arduous task that is both time-consuming and difficult to manage. One way to address the challenge of manually monitoring mask-wearing in public places is to adopt machine learning (ML) methods and ICT-based surveillance mechanisms, thereby reducing the need for large numbers of personnel. While previous studies have proposed various machine learning models …

The Lmpact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Registered Nurses, Mary Ellen Roberts, Joyce M. Knestrick, Lenore Resick

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: The Covid –19 pandemic is a new experience with a substantial impact on the health and well-being of nurses caring for the patients diagnosed with the disease. Increased work and family demands have not been studied in these frontline workers. COVID-19 has altered many US nurses’ career plans. Over the past two years, the researchers have spoken with nurses who consistently, and increasingly, report planning to leave the workforce. This study looks at the impact of COVID-19 on the professional and personal lives of nurses.

Purpose: To understand the effects of COVID-19 a global pandemic on nurses caring for …