FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInRss

21 - 2020

Resumption of Work After the COVID-19 Lockdown Period and an Approach to Attaining Herd Immunity While Suppressing the EPI Curve – in the Philippines

By |2020-05-18T12:43:39-10:00May 18th, 2020|

Noel Miranda details the steps taken in the Philippines to decrease the EPI-Curve, while implementing a strategy to obtain herd immunity, and urges decision-makers to implement the use of the identified pharmaceutical/biological approaches to COVID-19. Excerpt: The duration of this COVID-19 epidemic could last up to 2022. This means we should be constantly suppressing and flattening the curve for that entire duration.  Hopefully, we would have better preventive and curative approaches that can modulate COVID-19 disease or enable herd immunity to be achieved sooner.  This would reduce risk of severe disease and deaths, or eradicate the disease. View/Download Document [...]

Read More

Oceania’s Potential Role in Space Governance Development?

By |2020-05-13T10:17:21-10:00May 13th, 2020|

In this paper, Dr. Alfred Oehlers focuses on the potential of Oceania playing a more vital role in the future of space governance. Excerpt: It may seem incongruous to speak of space and Oceania together. Somehow, the juxtaposition of high-tech space missions against a commonly held vision of relaxed, sunny, palm-fringed beaches, just seems odd. Yet, in these unusual times we live in, the connection may be more important than we realize. At a time of heightened geopolitical competition across multiple domains, Oceania can assume a very helpful role assisting the United States and like-minded nations in a strategic contest [...]

Read More

2019-NCOV Political Framing and Blame-Gaming

By |2020-05-13T09:59:54-10:00May 13th, 2020|

In this paper, Dr. Srini Sitaraman demonstrates how the mechanisms of political interference have historically resulted in disastrous outcomes in battling pandemics, and highlights this repeating pattern with COVID-19. Excerpt: According to an American intelligence assessment, the conclusion that 2019-nCoV is “not manmade or genetically modified” is the current official position. However, intelligence officials continue to explore “whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan.” Several governments have called for independent inquiries into the origins of 2019-nCoV and publicly issued calls for re-examining economic and [...]

Read More

COVID-19 Healthcare Workers: 70% are Women

By |2020-05-13T09:52:45-10:00May 13th, 2020|

In this paper, Dr. Inez Miyamoto highlights the need for research to understand the challenges healthcare workers face from a gendered perspective to better respond to pandemics. Excerpt: “Healthcare workers are suffering from elevated stress levels not only from exhaustion and loss of life, but from also having to make painful, ethical decisions on patient care in an environment of constant shortages. In a study of healthcare workers in China, more women experienced more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distrust than did men." View/Download Document

Read More

Ships Become Dangerous Places During a Pandemic

By |2020-05-05T13:31:19-10:00May 5th, 2020|

In this paper, Wade Turvold and Jim McMullin illustrate the difficulties of life aboard ocean-going vessels and cite historic cases of how onboard ventilation systems and close-quarters living conditions have contributed to the spread of contagious diseases, including COVID-19. Excerpt: “Due to their unique features, ships become particularly dangerous places during times of pandemic. The outbreaks in the USS Leviathan and the MV Diamond Princess both point to the same lesson. Ships with their characteristically crowded conditions, small spaces, and poor ventilation increase the transmission rate of breath-borne respiratory illnesses. “ View/Download Document

Read More

The Coronavirus and its Likely Impact on North Korea

By |2020-05-01T16:38:56-10:00May 1st, 2020|

In this paper, Dr. Cho explains how the COVID-19 is likely to impact North Korea's domestic politics and foreign policy behavior by examining the official statements, and foreign policies of North Korea observed in 2020. Excerpt: “I argue that there is a higher likelihood of the coronavirus outbreak in North Korea than otherwise. The epidemic does not seem to pose an immediate threat to Kim Jong-un in the short term. Still, he is most likely to be concerned about the outbreak's secondary effects on the economy and regime legitimacy in the medium term.” View/Download Document

Read More

How to Improve Security Outcomes During a Pandemic? Start with a Gender Lens

By |2020-04-27T09:42:14-10:00April 27th, 2020|

In this paper, Sharon Gouveia Feist and Monica S. Herrera state that “Here in Hawai‘i, in response to increased multi-island reporting that landlords are pressuring women for sex in exchange for rent, the State Commission on the Status of Women published guidance and resources for women being exploited by their landlords during this COVID-19 crisis. Every day, physical security is threatened as a direct result of this pandemic. This is addition to other security concerns women uniquely face, such as, economic insecurity as the lower paid workers; family and household insecurity as primary caregivers for the elderly, sick, and out [...]

Read More

Making the Most of It, Part II: Xi Jinping Leverages Coronavirus ‘War Without Smoke’ to Spur Digital Transformation, Test National Defense Mobilization

By |2020-11-26T15:02:45-10:00April 27th, 2020|

In this paper, Dr. Dorman states that “Despite being tied to the pandemic or “economic restart,” current Chinese domestic propaganda efforts on topics ranging from “crisis management” to “digital transformation” and “defense mobilization” did not originate with the coronavirus. Instead, each represents an agile repackaging of Communist Party guidance and propaganda messaging that was already months or years old. Facing a crisis of confidence following its muddled response to the coronavirus outbreak, domestic propaganda efforts were initiated within days or weeks to remold the Party image. Instead of starting from scratch, existing campaigns were repackaged to highlight a Party that [...]

Read More

COVID-19 and the ASEAN Chair Agenda: Vietnam’s Lost Year? and Brunei’s, Too?

By |2020-04-24T13:37:10-10:00April 24th, 2020|

In this paper, Dr. Oehlers states that “There is mounting concern the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively affect progress with several crucial issues confronting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Precautionary measures such as restricted travel have virtually paralyzed progress while intensifying impacts have injected additional priorities on already crowded agendas, all to be addressed by Chairs facing increasing constraints. Efforts by the current and next incoming Chair – Vietnam and Brunei, respectively – will likely mitigate circumstances. ASEAN may also wish to consider bolder temporary measures to signal and reassure a sustained continuity and focus on these crucial priorities, [...]

Read More

Building Water Security on Small Pacific Islands

By |2020-04-24T13:24:52-10:00April 24th, 2020|

In this paper, Dr. Allen states that “Across most small Pacific islands, municipal water sources are unreliable, of limited availability, and/or contaminated due to leaks and/or illegal ‘bootlegged’ connections, both of which allow untreated water to mix with treated. Water from such systems may be available for a few hours per day, a few days per week, and is commonly unpotable without further treatment. Only a fortunate few residents can expect to turn a tap in their homes and receive a flow of water ready to drink. Many in the region routinely buy bottled water for drinking and food preparation; [...]

Read More
Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top