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Pandemie und Moral
(2022)
In der Corona-Pandemie wandelte sich die Moral der Menschen. Während auf der einen Seite Solidaritätsbestrebungen verstärkt zu verzeichnen waren, war andererseits aber auch, oft aus Angst und Unsicherheit erwachsen, ein Extremverhalten zu beobachten. Soll moralischer Fortschritt zum Bestehen der großen Herausforderungen der Zukunft beitragen, sind eine Bildungsoffensive, vor allem aber auch Gerechtigkeit, die Voraussetzungen.
Background: Many countries have restricted public life in order to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2). As a side effect of related measures, physical activity (PA) levels may have decreased.
Objective: We aimed (1) to quantify changes in PA and (2) to identify variables potentially predicting PA reductions.
Methods: A systematic review with random-effects multilevel meta-analysis was performed, pooling the standardized mean differences in PA measures before and during public life restrictions.
Results: A total of 173 trials with moderate methodological quality (modified Downs and Black checklist) were identified. Compared to pre-pandemic, total PA (SMD − 0.65, 95% CI − 1.10 to − 0.21) and walking (SMD − 0.52, 95% CI − 0.29 to − 0.76) decreased while sedentary behavior increased (SMD 0.91, 95% CI: 0.17 to 1.65). Reductions in PA affected all intensities (light: SMD − 0.35, 95% CI − 0.09 to − 0.61, p = .013; moderate: SMD − 0.33, 95% CI − 0.02 to − 0.6; vigorous: SMD − 0.33, − 0.08 to − 0.58, 95% CI − 0.08 to − 0.58) to a similar degree. Moderator analyses revealed no influence of variables such as sex, age, body mass index, or health status. However, the only continent without a PA reduction was Australia and cross-sectional trials yielded higher effect sizes (p < .05).
Conclusion: Public life restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in moderate reductions in PA levels and large increases in sedentary behavior. Health professionals and policy makers should therefore join forces to develop strategies counteracting the adverse effects of inactivity.
Governments have restricted public life during the COVID-19 pandemic, inter alia closing sports facilities and gyms. As regular exercise is essential for health, this study examined the effect of pandemic-related confinements on physical activity (PA) levels. A multinational survey was performed in 14 countries. Times spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as well as in vigorous physical activity only (VPA) were assessed using the Nordic Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form). Data were obtained for leisure and occupational PA pre- and during restrictions. Compliance with PA guidelines was calculated based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). In total, n = 13,503 respondents (39 ± 15 years, 59% females) were surveyed. Compared to pre-restrictions, overall self-reported PA declined by 41% (MVPA) and 42.2% (VPA). Reductions were higher for occupational vs. leisure time, young and old vs. middle-aged persons, previously more active vs. less active individuals, but similar between men and women. Compared to pre-pandemic, compliance with WHO guidelines decreased from 80.9% (95% CI: 80.3–81.7) to 62.5% (95% CI: 61.6–63.3). Results suggest PA levels have substantially decreased globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key stakeholders should consider strategies to mitigate loss in PA in order to preserve health during the pandemic.
While prospect of tracking mobile devices' users is widely discussed all over European countries to counteract COVID-19 propagation, we propose a Bloom filter based construction providing users' location privacy and preventing mass surveillance.
We apply a solution based on Bloom filters data structure that allows a third party, a government agency, to perform some privacy-preserving set relations on a mobile telco's access logfile.
By computing set relations, the government agency, given the knowledge of two identified persons, has an instrument that provides a (possible) infection chain from the initial to the final infected user no matter at which location on a worldwide scale they are.
The benefit of our approach is that intermediate possible infected users can be identified and subsequently contacted by the agency. With such approach, we state that solely identities of possible infected users will be revealed and location privacy of others will be preserved. To this extent, it meets General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)requirements in this area.
This paper gives an overview of the impact that the corona pandemic has on the export industry in Canada and analyzes the different Canadian government measures for exporters. In addition, the measures are subsequently evaluated in order to identify if the support measures can help Canadian exporters to overcome the crisis. The basis of this paper are semi-structured expert interviews with experts from the financial sector, scientific literature and studies. The results have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has a major impact on Canada’s export economy and it’s GDP. Trade is only possible to a limited extent, as many borders are closed. The Canadian government reacted with an economic response plan to support Canadian individuals and businesses. This paper depicts and assesses the most eligible measures for export companies.
Die Corona-Pandemie hat nicht nur tiefgreifende Auswirkungen auf das gesellschaftliche Leben, auch in der Wirtschaft sind die Folgen zu spüren. Dabei können diese Folgen in den einzelnen Branchen sehr unterschiedlich sein. Wo der E-Commerce eine steigende Nachfrage verzeichnen konnte, ist die Nachfrage im Kultur- und Freizeitsektor nahezu komplett eingebrochen. Aber nicht in allen Branchen sind die Auswirkungen so eindeutig. Diese Arbeit befasst sich deshalb mit den Auswirkungen der Corona-Pandemie auf die Werbefilmproduktionen in Deutschland. Dabei werden die folgenden beiden Forschungsfragen untersucht:
„Welche Gefahren birgt die wirtschaftliche Krise in Folge der Corona-Pandemie für die Werbefilmproduktionsbranche und wie kann diesen entgegengewirkt werden?“
„Welche Chancen ergeben sich aus der aktuellen Wirtschaftskrise und wie können diese für die Zukunft genutzt werden?“
Um diese Fragen zu beantworten, wurden zunächst die Begrifflichkeiten rund um das Thema genau definiert. Aufbauend auf der Literaturrecherche wurde zudem ein Leitfaden für Interviews mit drei Experten aus der Branche erstellt und diese anschließend durchgeführt. Dabei konnten neben einem detaillierteren Einblick in die Branche die Grundlagen für die ebenfalls durchgeführte quantitative Umfrage, die an eine repräsentative Stichprobe aus Unternehmen der Branche gestellt wurde, geschaffen werden.
Es zeigt sich, dass die Werbefilmproduktionen nach einem im ersten Lockdown nahezu kompletten Stillstand, durch schnelles Handeln, effektive Anpassungen in den Arbeitsabläufen vornehmen und dadurch zügig die Arbeit wieder aufnehmen konnten. Auch wenn die Unternehmen weiterhin Schwierigkeiten im Bereich der Planung und Produktion hatten und haben, konnten viele der Unternehmen durch die Verlagerung von Prozessen in die digitale Welt neue Geschäftsfelder erschließen und einen steigenden Umsatz verzeichnen. Schnelles Handeln und Innovationsbereitschaft zeigen sich dabei als zentrale Eigenschaften für eine positive Geschäftsentwicklung in der Krise.
Weiterführende Forschung kann sich mit dem Themenbereich effizientes Arbeiten im Home-Office beschäftigen. Auch im Bereich der Werbefilmproduktion für Social Media und Unternehmenshomepages und im Speziellen, welche Unternehmen diese in Zukunft vermehrt nachfragen, besteht noch Forschungsbedarf. Wie sich die fehlende praktische Erfahrung auf die Qualität der Lehre auswirkt, ist ebenfalls eine noch offene Fragestellung.
In pandemic times, the possibilities for conventional sports activities are severely limited; many sports facilities are closed or can only be used with restrictions. To counteract this lack of health activities and social exchange, people are increasingly adopting new digital sports solutions—a behavior change that had already started with the trend towards fitness apps and activity trackers. Existing research suggests that digital solutions increase the motivation to move and stay active. This work further investigates the potentials of digital sports incorporating the dimensions gender and preference for team sports versus individual sports. The study focuses on potential users, who were mostly younger professionals and academics. The results show that the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on sports activity, particularly on persons preferring team sports. To compensate, most participants use more digital sports than before, and there is a positive correlation between the time spent physically active during the pandemic and the increase in motivation through digital sports. Nevertheless, there is still considerable skepticism regarding the potential of digital sports solutions to increase the motivation to do sports, increase performance, or raise a sense of team spirit when done in groups.
Africa was the last region to witness significant spread of the COVID-19. Nonetheless, it was expected that the continent would be hardest hit due to the fragility of its health and social infrastructure as well as the vulnerability of its economies. While the rates of infection and death were initially relatively low and contained economically, the continent was hard hit early on. Cuts in credit and trade services by international banks, along with a decline in export earnings, tourism receipts, and inward remittances, have severely constrained the ability of African countries to finance imports of essential goods and to service maturing debt obligations.
However, Africa has over time created mechanisms and institutions to help cushion its economies from the adverse consequences of global shocks. Among these institutions is Afreximbank, which emerged out of the debt crisis of the 1980s. This paper presents an overview of the Bank’s support to African countries in dealing with two major derivatives of the COVID-19 pandemic: the trade finance challenges resulting from cuts in international financial flows to the continent, and the health consequences of the pandemic.
This essay is about Estonia’s measures to help its exporters responding to COVID-19. The purpose is to analyse the companies’ need for help measures and the governmental objectives behind the measures and finally to analyse the possible effects. We used the two latest surveys dealing with the entrepreneurship situation and conducted two inter-views with governmental representatives exposing their objectives. The outcomes show that more than half of Estonian companies are asking for governmental help mainly as a consequence of a drop of demand. Limiting the increase of unemployment and bankrupt-cies as well as strengthening the economic recovery were identified as the main govern-mental objectives while restraining fiscal costs is a subordinated objective but becomes more important the more money will be spent. The help measures offered by KredEx are in line with these objectives. After the crisis the implications of the established measures should be analysed so that others can learn from the Estonian Government’s approach.
Seit Jahrzehnten mussten Museen nicht mehr für so eine lange Zeit schließen wie zurzeit. Um trotz der Coronapandemie die Möglichkeit eines Museumsbesuches zu eröffnen, bieten viele Museen virtuelle Rundgänge an. So kann man beispielsweise ganz entspannt von Zuhause das Deutsche Museum in München besichtigen oder auch der Mona Lisa im Louvre einen Besuch abstatten und dies ganz ohne lange Wartezeiten oder großen Andrang. Die digitalen Angebote reichen von Videos, virtuellen Ausstellungsrundgängen, digitalen Bildergalerien oder Podcasts bis hin zu 360° Bildern und Videos, sowie Anwendungen, die auf Online-Spielen beruhen. Letzteres sorgt dafür, dass Besucher sich ähnlich wie bei Online-Spielen per Mausklick oder Pfeiltasten der Tastatur frei bewegen können und so die Möglichkeit haben, die Umgebung und dort interessante Objekte näher zu betrachten.
Höchstwahrscheinlich war das Thema eines virtuellen Museumsbesuches nie aktueller als während der Coronapandemie, jedoch gab es auch schon vor der Pandemie viele Museen, die ihre Angebote für virtuelle Besucher geöffnet haben. Nicht nur der Zugang zu Kulturangeboten für die breite Masse war ein Grund für die Digitalisierung der Museen, auch der Einsturz des Kölner Stadtarchivs 2009 etwa zeigte, wie wichtig die Digitalisierung ist, um historische Werke im Falle einer Zerstörung nicht komplett zu verlieren. Denn auch wenn das Original nicht mehr verfügbar ist, können historische Werke bewahrt und der breiten Masse zugänglich gemacht werden. Dennoch wird dieses Thema auch nach der Coronapandemie nicht an Relevanz verlieren, da auch vorangegangene Epidemien zeigen, dass neue Strategien mittel- und langfristig notwendig sind und sein werden.
Due to the pandemic of 2020, many teaching and research institutions are confronted with extraordinary working conditions. In order to enable empirical data collection under these special circumstances, teachers and scientists need to respond flexibly and new concepts need to be developed. This paper deals with the challenges that arise in day-to-day teaching and provides different approaches to meet these challenges. It covers quantitative surveys, remote UX-testing methods as an alternative to eye tracking studies in the lab, as well as face-to-face user experience testings under strict hygiene measures.
This essay deals with the Spanish economy and especially with the Spanish governmental measures for SME exporters in times of COVID-19. The focus was set on SMEs, as they are an essential part of trade for the government and are particularly affected by the pandemic. Since the financial crisis, the Spanish economy has become highly diversified, with a greater focus on exports. Competitiveness, productivity and efficiency have increased significantly. The Spanish government measures largely affect the areas liquidity and financing, taxes and protection of the employment. One of the most important measures is the 100-billion-euro credit line and the policies on unemployment. The Spanish government is dependent on further aid packages and is criticized for the measures.
Unter dem Deckmantel der Covid-19-Pandemie werden soziale Einrichtungen wie Bildungseinrichtungen oder das Gesundheitssystem systematisch auf Digitalisierung getrimmt. Schon Grundschulkinder werden an die Arbeit am Display gewöhnt und Schulen mit Geldern aus dem Digitalpakt Schule technisch aufgerüstet. Lernsoftware, Schulcloud und Learning Analytics erlauben die Verdatung von Schülerbiographien. Digitale Endgeräte als Leihgabe für Schülerinnen und Schüler bereiten den Fernunterricht für die Zeit nach der Pandemie vor. Auf der Strecke bleiben dabei möglicherweise nicht nur Grundrechte, Privatsphäre und letztlich die Autonomie des Menschen, sondern auch das notwendige Vertrauen in politische Entscheidungen, wenn etwa die Digitalisierung zunehmend aller Lebensbereiche gar nicht mehr hinterfragt wird. Dabei reichen bereits vier Forderungen zur IT-Entwicklung, um demokratisch legitimierte Alternativen von Softwarelösungen zu entwickeln, wie der Streit um die Corona-App gezeigt hat.
British Government long-term Measures for Exporters in the Manufacturing Sector in Times of COVID-19
(2020)
The authors of this paper have addressed the question of what measures have been taken by the British government to support exporters in the manufacturing sector in the era of COVID-19. A classification of the manufacturing export industry in the British economy as a whole and the impending economic impact of COVID-19 were also examined. It should be noted that the United Kingdom is facing major structural changes as a result of the Corona pandemic and its withdrawal from the European Union, which are examined more in detail in this paper. The UKEF, in cooperation with other institutions, provides a number of finance facilities for exporters already before Corona crisis. The access to get this support has been facilitated for the COVID-19 affected exporters, but no additional measures were made available.
The COVID19 pandemic, a unique and devastating respiratory disease outbreak, has affected global populations as the disease spreads rapidly. Recent Deep Learning breakthroughs may improve COVID19 prediction and forecasting as a tool of precise and fast detection, however, current methods are still being examined to achieve higher accuracy and precision. This study analyzed the collection contained 8055 CT image samples, 5427 of which were COVID cases and 2628 non COVID. The 9544 Xray samples included 4044 COVID patients and 5500 non COVID cases. The most accurate models are MobileNet V3 (97.872 percent), DenseNet201 (97.567 percent), and GoogleNet Inception V1 (97.643 percent). High accuracy indicates that these models can make many accurate predictions, as well as others, are also high for MobileNetV3 and DenseNet201. An extensive evaluation using accuracy, precision, and recall allows a comprehensive comparison to improve predictive models by combining loss optimization with scalable batch normalization in this study. Our analysis shows that these tactics improve model performance and resilience for advancing COVID19 prediction and detection and shows how Deep Learning can improve disease handling. The methods we suggest would strengthen healthcare systems, policymakers, and researchers to make educated decisions to reduce COVID19 and other contagious diseases.
Ziel des Beitrages ist es, die geschäftspolitischen Entscheidungen der Reedereien in dem extrem volatilen Umfeld einer Pandemie, geprägt von regulatorischen und operativen Schwierigkeiten, zu analysieren, um anschließend nachzuvollziehen, wie die gesamte Branche der Containerlinienreedereien einen derartigen Aufschwung erreichen konnte. Dabei wird eruiert, ob die Sonderprivilegien der Reedereien, wie der jüngst verlängerten Gruppenfreistellung für Konsortien und die hohen Subventionen, unter den aktuellen Bedingungen noch Rechtfertigung finden können.
Hiervon losgelöst wird zudem analysiert, wie die einst florierende Branche der Kreuzfahrtreedereien mit den pandemiebedingten Herausforderungen, wie den ausbleibenden Buchungen, notwendigen Routenänderungen und Rücktrittswellen, umgegangen ist.
The coronavirus affects the strongly export-oriented Swiss economy in a situation where political and economic developments are already making the cross-border exchange of goods and services difficult. For this reason, the question arises of how Switzerland can maintain or strengthen its position in global competition in the export business during an unprecedented period of crisis such as the current one.
In order to find an answer to this question, this paper critically examines the existing government support measures for Swiss exporters in times of COVID-19. The fact that Switzerland has so far not taken any specific support measures for exporters raises the actual research question of whether there is a specific necessity and demand for a special export promotion. To answer this research question, various expert opinions are compared and overall conclusions are drawn. By rapidly introducing and adapting the already existing instruments – liquidity assistance and an expansion of short-time work benefits – the federal government was able to ensure the survival of many companies. According to the authors of this paper, this focus of government support in times of crisis is just right for a small national economy in the short term and therefore preferable to a specific support of exporters. Nevertheless, given the high relative importance of foreign trade for Switzerland’s overall economic performance, there can be no recovery of national economy without a recovery of foreign trade.
In this work, the authors have dealt with the question of what measures have been taken by the Danish government to support exporters during the time of COVID-19. The analysis first looks at Denmark's general economic situation. In the following, Denmark's governmental and financial measures to support exporters are briefly explained. In addition to the economic and financial effects, the issue of green energy has also become a major focus of political attention in times of crisis. Denmark is a pioneer in the wind energy sector and accounts for a large share of exports. For this reason, the impact and possible future developments for the wind sector in connection with the pandemic are also being investigated.
This seminar paper examines government measures to support export-oriented companies in Belgium. After a short overview of the Belgian economy and the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, the paper introduces the available government measures for exporters. In particular, the role of Credendo as a Belgian export-credit insurance company will be discussed, and its measures will be examined in more detail. In addition, federal measures of the Belgian government will be identified, and a summary of the most important regional measures will be provided. The entirety of government measures available to export-oriented companies will be reviewed and options for the future activities of export-oriented companies will be pointed out.