Ciência & saúde coletiva
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Ciência & saúde coletiva · Oct 2020
Susceptibility of the Bhopal-methyl isocyanate (MIC)-gas-tragedy survivors and their offspring to COVID-19: What we know, what we don't and what we should?
There is credible evidence that the 1984-Bhopal-methyl isocyanate (MIC)-gas-exposed long-term survivors and their offspring born post-exposure are susceptible to infectious/communicable and non-communicable diseases. Bhopal's COVID-19 fatality rate suggests that the MIC-gas tragedy survivors are at higher risk, owing to a weakened immune system and co-morbidities. ⋯ Our views and opinions presented in this article will draw attention to prevent and reduce the consequences of COVID-19 in BMAP. From the perspective of COVID-19 prophylaxis, the high-risk individuals from BMAP with co-morbidities need to be identified through a door-to-door visit to the severely gas-affected regions and advised to maintain good respiratory hygiene, regular intake of immune-boosting diet, and follow healthy lifestyle practices.
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Ciência & saúde coletiva · Oct 2020
Fact or Fake? An analysis of disinformation regarding the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil.
This paper aims to present an analysis of the most widespread fake news about the New Coronavirus (Sars-CoV-2) on social networks and how it can harm public health. This is a quantitative empirical study, based on the notifications received by the Eu Fiscalizo Brazilian application. The conclusions show that WhatsApp is the primary channel for sharing fake news, followed by Instagram and Facebook. We can conclude that the dissemination of malicious content related to Covid-19 contributes to the discrediting of science and global health institutions, and the solution to this problem is to increase the level of adequate information for Brazilian society.
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Ciência & saúde coletiva · Sep 2020
Estimates of the impact of COVID-19 on mortality of institutionalized elderly in Brazil.
The COVID-19 pandemic poses difficulties for long-term care institutions for the elderly, with increased mortality rates for the residents. This study aims to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on mortality of institutionalized elderly in Brazil. Estimates of the percentage of elderly deaths occurring in care homes were calculated for Brazil, States and Regions using estimates for the total number of deaths. ⋯ Higher numbers of deaths were expected in the Southeast Region (48,779 deaths), followed by the Northeast Region (28,451 deaths); São Paulo was the most affected State (24,500 deaths). The strong impact of COVID-19 on the elderly population living in long-term care facilities is clear. Estimates for the country exceeded 100,000 elderly people, potentially the most fragile and vulnerable, and are based upon a conservative number of total deaths, in view of other estimates and the alarming situation of death growth in Brazil from COVID-19.
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Ciência & saúde coletiva · Jun 2020
ReviewSocial distancing measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic: potential impacts and challenges in Brazil.
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged researchers and policy makers to identify public safety measures forpreventing the collapse of healthcare systems and reducingdeaths. This narrative review summarizes the available evidence on the impact of social distancing measures on the epidemic and discusses the implementation of these measures in Brazil. Articles on the effect of social distancing on COVID-19 were selected from the PubMed, medRXiv and bioRvix databases. ⋯ Therefore, social distancing measures, and social protection policies to guarantee the sustainability of these measures, should be implemented. To control COVID-19 in Brazil, it is also crucial that epidemiological monitoring is strengthened at all three levels of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). This includes evaluating and usingsupplementary indicators to monitor the progression of the pandemic and the effect of the control measures, increasing testing capacity, and making disaggregated notificationsand testing resultstransparentand broadly available.