This book provides a comparative study of people's mask-wearing behaviour in response to government policies between European-Northern America and Asian countries. Examining citizens' attitudes towards their state during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of history, linguistics, politics, economics and sociology, the contributors in this volume explore to what extent people accept the wearing of masks in countries where governments have made it mandatory as compared to countries where people wear masks voluntarily. The book thus looks at mask-wearing from a political dichotomy between authoritarianism and liberalism and posits the extent to which political divisions could have existed in public opinion over the measures taken against COVID-19. Filled with invaluable insights through research in 13 countries, this book will appeal to readers in policy making and influencing public opinion via the Europe-Asia comparative study.

This book provides a comparative study of people's mask-wearing behaviour in response to government policies between European-Northern America and Asian countries. Examining citizens' attitudes towards their state during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of history, linguistics, politics, economics and sociology, the contributors in this volume explore to what extent people accept the wearing of masks in countries where governments have made it mandatory as compared to countries where people wear masks voluntarily. The book thus looks at mask-wearing from a political dichotomy between authoritarianism and liberalism and posits the extent to which political divisions could have existed in public opinion over the measures taken against COVID-19. Filled with invaluable insights through research in 13 countries, this book will appeal to readers in policy making and influencing public opinion via the Europe-Asia comparative study.

The far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the critical need for evidence-informed, transparent and inclusive decision-making. Policy-makers have grappled with complex choices amidst uncertainty. With the increasing threat of emerging pandemic-prone pathogens, new guidance released jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank elucidates the role of mathematical modelling – specifically integrated modelling – in addressing these challenges.

'A thorough examination of HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa with much interesting and useful information.' Modern African StudiesThis book breaks new ground in its approach to HIV/AIDS by addressing issues directly relevant to prevention planning. Douglas Webb traces the complex relations between the virus, the movement of peoples, and traditional sexual behaviour, examining the spread of HIV in the context of 'development' and political and structural change in southern Africa, where the HIV pandemic has reached catastrophic proportions. Focusing on the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in southern Africa, Douglas Webb demonstrates that an understanding of precisely how the HIV virus moves socially is crucial for planning appropriate prevention. Through this detailed analysis of the movement of the virus at local and regional level, Webb makes available techniques and conceptual models which allow researchers and policy makers to understand the epidemic and to respond effectively.

'A thorough examination of HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa with much interesting and useful information.' Modern African StudiesThis book breaks new ground in its approach to HIV/AIDS by addressing issues directly relevant to prevention planning. Douglas Webb traces the complex relations between the virus, the movement of peoples, and traditional sexual behaviour, examining the spread of HIV in the context of 'development' and political and structural change in southern Africa, where the HIV pandemic has reached catastrophic proportions. Focusing on the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in southern Africa, Douglas Webb demonstrates that an understanding of precisely how the HIV virus moves socially is crucial for planning appropriate prevention. Through this detailed analysis of the movement of the virus at local and regional level, Webb makes available techniques and conceptual models which allow researchers and policy makers to understand the epidemic and to respond effectively.