On min–max r-gatherings

AbstractWe consider a min–max version of the previously studied r-gathering problem with unit-demands. The problem we consider is a metric facility-location problem, in which each open facility must serve at least r customers, and the maximum of all the facility- and connection-costs should be minimized (rather than their sum). This problem is motivated by scenarios in which r customers are required for a facility to be worth opening, and the costs represent the time until the facility/connection will be available (i.e., we want to have the complete solution ready as soon as possible).We present a 3-approximation algorithm for this problem, and prove that it cannot be approximated better (assuming P≠NP). Next we consider this problem with the additional natural requirement that each customer will be assigned to a nearest open facility, and present a 9-approximation algorithm. We further consider previously introduced special cases and variants, and obtain improved algorithmic and hardness results

The roles of time, place, value and relationships in collocated photo sharing with camera phones

Photo sharing on camera phones is becoming a common way to maintain closeness and relationships with friends and family. How people share their photos in collocated settings using camera phones, with whom they share, and what factors influence their sharing experience were the themes explored in this study. Results showed that people exhibit different photo sharing behaviour depending on who they share photos with, where the sharing takes place and what value a picture represents to its owner. In this paper, we will explain what triggers the photo sharing activity and how the sharing takes place depending on who photos are shared with and where they are shared (e.g. restaurant, pub, home). The sharing experience is hindered by the difficulty of controlling which photographs are made available to particular people; sharing with a group of people at once; and ensuring appropriate privacy measures. These findings highlight requirements for novel mechanisms for organising, sharing, and displaying photos as well as provide a better understanding of photo sharing behaviour using camera phones in collocated settings

Covid-19, Lying, Mask-less Exposures and Disability During a Pandemic

This article focuses on disability law in the context of COVID-19. In dealing with this pandemic, businesses, schools and other covered entities have to navigate and manage (at least) three different categories of people congregating. First are those who act as if there were no pandemic at all; they simply do not care if they are contagious and insist upon not complying with safety precautions, such as mask-wearing and social distancing; second are people who have medical conditions that make them especially vulnerable and at high-risk for severe symptoms associated with the infection; third are people who have already contracted COVID-19, and are currently experiencing symptoms, or have recovered from COVID. The point of this article is to discuss law that protects the second and third groups, especially against the first group. In part I, I identify the special pandemic-focused problems that arise when these groups interact. In part II, I discuss the global and local statistics related to the spread of the virus, especially as they relate to the housing needs and demographics in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Miami, Florida is exemplary because it is the fourth-largest urban area in the United States (U.S.), with a population of approximately 5.5 million, and a density of nearly 4,500 persons per square mile. With daily nonstop flights between Miami International Airport and Paris, Warsaw, Morocco and London, Miami -Dade County is a world-class hot spot for coronavirus, ranking fourth in the U.S. for highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases. Thus, Miami is a site where we see the three categories of people—mask-less individuals, those who are medically vulnerable to COVID-19, and those who have currently or previously tested positive for COVID—have come unwittingly together, explosively challenging the legal frameworks. In part III, I revisit significant pre-COVID-19 contagion cases for a discussion of historical and recurring problems of discrimination and containment. In part IV, I discuss the role of the state in protecting vulnerable persons against the mask-less. Part V addresses the emerging U.S. Supreme Court COVID-19 jurisprudence in the context of religious freedom, which I argue are arguably contagion non-containment cases. Part VI concludes that state “contagion law” and federal disability law can be understood to work together to keep everyone safe, especially during a pandemic

Health departments : Interim buidance on developing a COVID-19 case investigation & contact tracing plan

Last updated May 13, 2020This interim guidance document is intended to assist state, local, territorial and tribal health departments develop jurisdictional plans for the implementation and enhancement of COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing efforts.case-investigation-contact-tracing.pdfI. Introduction -- II. Scaling Up Staffing Roles Involved in Case Investigation & Contact Tracing -- III. When to Initiate Case Investigation & Contact Tracing Activities -- IV. Investigating a COVID-19 Case -- V. Contact Tracing for COVID-19 -- VI. Outbreaks -- VII. Special Considerations -- VIII. Building Community Support -- IX. Data Management -- X. Evaluating Success -- XI. Confidentiality and Consent -- XII. Support Services to Consider -- XIII. Digital Contact Tracing Tools -- XIV. Resources -- Appendix A \u2013 Glossary of Key Terms -- Appendix B - Tips for Locating COVID-19 Cases and Contacts -- Appendix C - Data Elements for Case Investigation & Contact Tracing Forms Appendix D \u2013 Tool for Estimating the Number of Contact Tracers Needed.2020766

Health departments : Interim guidance on developing a COVID-19 case Investigation & contact tracing plan

This interim guidance document is intended to assist state, local, territorial and tribal health departments develop jurisdictional plans for the implementation and enhancement of COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing efforts.cdc.gov/coronavirusCS317074-A June 1, 2020 8:55 PMcase-investigation-contact-tracing.pdfI. Introduction-- II. Scaling up Staffing Roles Involved in Case Investigation & Contact Tracing-- III. When to Initiate Case Investigation & Contact Tracing Activities-- IV. Investigating a COVID-19 Case-- V. Contact Tracing for COVID-19-- VI. Outbreaks-- VII. Special Considerations .-- VIII. Building Community Support-- IX. Data Management-- X. Evaluating Success-- XI. Confidentiality and Consent-- XII. Support Services to Consider-- XIII. Digital Contact Tracing Tools-- XIV. Resources-- Appendix A\u2014Glossary of Key Terms . -- Appendix B\u2014Tips for Locating COVID-1 Cases and Contacts-- Appendix C\u2014Data Elements for Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Forms-- Appendix D\u2014Tool for Estimating the Number of Contact Tracers Needed -- Parameter values used for high and low estimates.2020775