Web-based surveillance of respiratory infection outbreaks: retrospective analysis of Italian COVID-19 epidemic waves using Google Trends.

Introduction: Large-scale diagnostic testing has been proven insufficient to promptly monitor the spread of the Coronavirus disease 2019. Electronic resources may provide better insight into the early detection of epidemics. We aimed to retrospectively explore whether the Google search volume has been useful in detecting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus outbreaks early compared to the swab-based surveillance system.

Improving Accessibility and Usability in the Built Environment. Case Study: Guide Lines by the Lombardy Region, Italy.

Accessibility of the built environment, including open spaces, products and services, is essential for people with disabilities and people with special needs such as the elderly and children to access, move, use and enjoy the services and the urban spaces, exercise their rights and fully participate in social life. Local administrations can, and must, identify strategies and tools that are useful for achieving this goal, with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction. The case study of the "Lombardy Region Guidelines for Accessibility Plans" that each Municipality of the Region is required to draw up and implement will be illustrated.