One long‐recognized consequence of the tension between popular sovereignty and democratic values like liberty and equality is public opinion backlash, which occurs when individuals recoil in response to some salient event. For decades, scholars have suggested that opinion backlash impedes policy gains by marginalized groups. Public opinion research, however, suggests that widespread attitude change that backlash proponents theorize is likely to be rare. Examining backlash against gays and lesbians using a series of online and natural experiments about marriage equality, and large‐sample survey data, we find no evidence of opinion backlash among the general public, by members of groups predisposed to dislike gays and lesbians, or from those with psychological traits that may predispose them to lash back. The important implication is that groups pursuing rights should not be dissuaded by threats of backlash that will set their movement back in the court of public opinion.

The study adds to the growing literature of occupational therapy interventions for older adults, and the findings support the concept that restorative approaches can be successfully implemented in public agencies.

Background: The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Health Belief Model (HBM) were used to examine the opinion and behaviors of older adults regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), social distancing practices, stay-at-home orders, and hypothetical public policy messaging strategies. Method: A convenience sample ( N = 242) of adults 60 and older in the state of Maryland took part in an online survey. Respondents filled out questions regarding demographic information, political affiliation, current social distancing behaviors, and TPB and HBM constructs in our proposed model. Linear regression analysis and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were conducted to test the model. Results: Attitude toward social isolation was affected by perceived benefits and barriers to social distancing measures, perceived severity of COVID-19, and political affiliation. Behavior intention was influenced by attitude, subjective norms, political affiliation, and messaging strategies. Conclusion: The study provides support for the conceptual model and has public policy implications as authorities begin to lift stay-at-home orders.

We present a case of a 61-year-old man with a history of pancreatitis, who presented at the emergency department with chest pain, vomiting, and dysphagia. His blood count, the levels of cardiac and liver enzymes and electrolytes, as well as the results of renal function tests were normal. An electrocardiogram revealed sinus rhythm without any changes of ischemia. Chest X-ray with contrast showed restriction in the distal esophagus without infiltration of the wall (FIGURE 1A). Endoscopy showed compression of the distal esophagus by an extrinsic mass (FIGURE 1B). Computed tomography (CT) scans of the back medi-astinum revealed a pseudocyst extending from the abdomen to the chest through the hiatus of the esophagus (FIGURE 1C). Endoscopic retro-grade cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed normal ductal anatomy. There was no communication between the pancreatic duct and the pseu-docyst (FIGURE 1D). Endosonography (EUS)-guided drainage of the mediastinal pancreatic pseudo-cyst was performed through the terminal esophagus using linear EUS. Two passes were made with a 19-gauge needle using a transesophageal approach, and 200 ml of serous amber fluid was removed (FIGURE 1E). High levels of amylase were observed in the fluid (15,774 U/l). Tumor markers were within normal ranges. A control CT scan did not confirm the cyst near gastroesophageal hernia, and there was no pathology in the back mediastinum (FIGURE 1F). Pancreatic pseudocysts are diagnosed accidentally in 20% of the patients and on autopsy in 24% of the patients. 1 A pseu-docyst occurs in 7% to 15% of the patients with FIGURE 1 AX ray imaging of the esophagus with contrast water; B-compression of the distal esophagus by an extrinsic mass in endoscopy; C-computed tomography scan showing a cystic mass extending from the border of the pancreatic body and tail into the mediastinum; D-no communication between the pancreatic duct and the pseudocyst on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; E-endosonography-guided drainage of the mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst through the terminal esophagus; F-computed tomography scan without a cystic mass in the mediastinum