Mental Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Reflecting on Lockdowns and Social Isolations

This brief study explores the diverse and long-term mental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on societies worldwide. Based on the recent existing literature, six primary categories of mental effects are identified to verify how people are affected by reoccurring lockdowns and social isolations. The study urges holistic research in this field, suggesting that researchers must not neglect the diversity of mental health impacts and context-specific factors. While long-term mental and psychological impacts are mostly hidden for now, we anticipate them to fuel other health issues already experienced by the vulnerable groups, healthcare units, and those fighting the pandemic at the front line. The paper aims to highlight primary mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic due to reoccurring lockdowns and social isolations. This is an opinion paper reflecting on ongoing research related to mental health issues of the ongoing pandemic, some of that could be looked at through case study research or extended research and comparative studies. This brief study suggests further case study-based analysis to evaluate the impacts of lockdowns and social isolations on societal wellbeing and mental health. Globally, the ongoing pandemic has made public health unstable and is expected to continue with its long-term consequences on societies. Research studies should help make governments and policymakers more aware of such long-term consequences to ensure they can respond more effectively to foreseeing public health issues.

Street network patterns for mitigating urban heat islands in arid climates

This study explores the impact of street pattern measurements on urban heat islands(UHI)in the arid climate of Mashhad,Iran.The Landsat-8 top-of-the-atmosphere(TOA)brightness images from 2013 to 2021,average values of normalized difference vegetation index(NDvI)and land surface temperature(LST)were calculated.Street pattern measurements,including closeness-centrality,straightness,and street orientation,were employed to analyse the patterns in each district.The results indicated that districts with higher straightness and lower closeness-centrality exhibit,cooler surface temperatures.Strong correlations were observed between LST and NDVl,straightness,and local closeness-centrality.The research highlighted the importance of considering street network measurements in long-term urban planning and design to mitigate the UHI effect in arid regions.A moderate grid street pattern with a reasonable distribution of green spaces throughout the region is suggested to reduce surface temperatures sustainably.Street pattern indexes,such as straightness and local closeness-centrality,are identified as significant factors in urban design to mitigate UHl.These findings have implications for urban planners,who can use this information to create street network patterns with lower UHI effects by reducing local closeness-centrality and increasing straightness.