The Italian Experience in Protecting Older People During COVID-19: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)

Context: Older people living in LTCF were particularly affected by COVID-19. Italy was the first country in Europe to experience high death rates among older people. Analysing the factors which may have determined high mortality rates in LTCF and identifying actions to safeguard older people’s health in long-term care settings may be critical for future public health emergencies. Objectives: Identify the main challenges and failures faced by a small number of Italian professionals working in LTCF and suggest key actions to better protect older people’s health in future emergencies. Methods: Rapid survey conducted among Italian professionals working in the LTC sector in Italy during the pandemic. Findings: Several factors contributed to higher death rates in LTCF for older people in Italy. To better protect LTCF residents in case of future health emergencies, actions need to be implemented in relation to LTCF’s management, governance and capacity building. Furthermore, safety plans and strategies need to be put in place to ensure older residents’ protection and maintain high level of care in LTCF during public health emergencies, such as COVID-19. Limitations: The article reflects the opinions of a limited number of professionals working in the long-term care sector, which may not be representative of all workers operating in the sector. Implications: Policy and system changes are needed to strengthen the capacity of the Italian long- term care sector to respond to the needs of a growing older population in the context of COVID-19 and beyond

Welfare and meat quality of pigs submitted to differentt pre-slaughter handling techniques Bem-estar e qualidade de carne de suínos submetidos a diferentes técnicas de manejo pré-abate

A total of 120 pigs (86 to 95Kg/140 days) was divided in two groups of 60 animals and transported in the night period (0,4m2/100kg) for a distance of 120Km. In the first group, the animals were handled using aluminum panel, during loading and unloading of the pigs, and in the second group the animals were handled with electric stick (40v). All the pigs were submited to the manual electric stunning in the slaughterhouse (340v/1,3A). The pig group handled with the aluminum panel presented smaller blood cortisol concentrations (10,76 5,76) and lactate(16,32 5,50) in comparison with the group handled with the electric stick (80,26 41,38) and (189,214 72,06), demonstrating that the stick was more stressful, however the welfare provided by the use of panel was not enough to alter the color values significantly (L*, a*, b*), as well as the drip loss. Significant variations in the pH (4, 6 and 8h post-mortem) were also obtained when the treatments was compered, however none significant value was obtained in the period of 24h post-mortem. Significant visual blood splashed score in the central area of the loin was obtained when the pigs was handled with the electric stick. We concluded that the pigs handled with panel suffered less stress.Um total de 120 suínos, com pesos entre 86 e 95kg aos 140 dias, foi dividido em dois grupos de 60 animais e transportado no período noturno a uma densidade de 0,4m2/100kg por uma distância de 120Km. No primeiro grupo os animais foram movimentados por meio de painel de alumínio, durante o carregamento e descarregamento enquanto que, no segundo, os animais foram manejados com bastão elétrico (40v). No abatedouro, os animais foram submetidos ao sistema de insensibilização elétrico manual (340v/1,3A). O grupo manejado com o painel de alumínio apresentou menores concentrações plasmáticas de cortisol (10,76 5,76g/dL) e lactato (16,32 5,50mg/dL), em comparação ao grupo manejado com o bastão elétrico (80,26 41,38g/dL) e (189,21 72,06mg/dL), respectivamente, o que demonstrou que o bastão foi mais estressante, porém o bem-estar proporcionado pela utilização do painel não foi suficiente para alterar significativamente os valores de cor (L*, a*, b*), assim como os valores de perda por gotejamento. Variações significativas nos valores de pH ocorreram apenas às 4, 6 e 8h post-mortem entre os tratamentos. Maior concentração de salpicamento na região central do lombo foi obtida em suínos submetidos ao bastão elétrico. Conclui-se que os suínos manejados com painel sofreram menos estresse