COVID-19 and “natural” experiments arising from physical distancing: a hypothetical case study from chronobiology

ABSTRACT

With countless “natural” experiments triggered by the COVID-19-associated physical distancing, one key question comes from chronobiology: “When confined to homes, how does the reduced exposure to natural daylight arising from the interruption of usual outdoor activities plus lost temporal organization ordinarily provided from workplaces and schools affect the circadian timing system (the internal 24 h clock) and, consequently, health of children and adults of all ages?” Herein, we discuss some ethical and scientific facets of exploring such natural experiments by offering a hypothetical case study of circadian biology.     

COVID-19确诊病例居住环境病毒检测结果分析及防控探讨

新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)传播速度快、感染范围广,其感染方式主要是聚集性感染,感染途径主要是呼吸道飞沫和接触传播。了解环境中,特别是COVID-19确诊病人生活环境中的病毒存在情况,是做好环境消毒,阻断新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)传播的重要步骤,对COVID-19防控具有重要意义。本研究旨在探讨COVID-19患者生活环境中SARS-CoV-2的存在情况,从SARS-CoV-2存在的空间部位、病毒核酸含量、消毒效果等方面对SARS-CoV-2的相关特点做出初步研究,为制定有效的SARS-CoV-2防控措施提供科学依据。本研究以COVID-19病例治疗前的3个家庭居住环境和治疗出院后隔离期间的2个宾馆居住环境中采集的样本为研究材料,采用RT-PCR方法检测样本中的SARS-CoV-2核酸并进行比较分析。结果显示,首次从3个家庭环境中采样48份,RTPCR检测SARS-CoV-2核酸阳性5份(10.42%),3个家庭的环境样本中均有阳性样本检出。首次采样48h后在家庭3进行第二次采样16份,SARS-CoV-2核酸检测阳性2份(12.5%),检测Ct值比首次升高。家庭3消毒后24h采集的16份样本SARS-CoV-2核酸检测均为阴性,并且两处宾馆环境采集的24份样本SARS-CoV-2核酸检测也均为阴性。本研究提示,COVID-19病例的生活环境中可以检出SARS-CoV-2,病毒存在区域、存在物品、病毒核酸含量均有差异;对外环境进行消毒可以达到消毒目的,能够起到阻断SARS-CoV-2传播的防控效果。     

COVID-19 pandemic lockdown-induced altered sleep/wake circadian rhythm,health complaints and stress among traffic police personnel in India

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2, capable of high human transmission. To protect against the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization proposed intervening guidance that included movement restrictions, isolation, restriction of national and international travel or movement, and full or partial closure of organizations and institutions. Police personnel play a vital role in safeguarding the spread of COVID-19; thus, potentially causing severe stress due to increased consignment and direct exposure to infection during duty. The study aimed to determine the effect of the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic and population lockdown on the sleep/wake 24 h rhythm of traffic police. A concise online questionnaire survey was conducted among the traffic police personnel of India. Collected data were analyzed statistically. Disorientation of working schedule, fear of being vulnerable to disease, pressure of maintaining law, and orders during lockdown increased stress level. The survey identified discontinuation of sleep, shift of mid-sleep time, increase in depression, plus stress and anxiety among traffic police personnel that affected their chronobiological milieu. Proper awareness of adequate health and safety measures, use of personnel protection equipment, regular conversation with family members, and meditation can help reduce stress during this pandemic situation.