Human agency and infection rates: Implications for social distancing during epidemics.

ABSTRACT: Social distancing is an important measure in controlling epidemics. This paper presents a simple theoretical model focussed on the implications of the wide range in interaction rates between individuals, both within the workplace and in social settings. The model is based on well-mixed populations and so is not intended for studying geographic spread. The model shows that epidemic growth rate is largely determined by the upper interactivity quantiles of society, implying that the most efficient methods of epidemic control are interaction capping approaches rather than overall reductions in interaction. The theoretical model can also be applied to look at aspects of the dynamics of epidemic progression under various scenarios. The theoretical model suggests that with no intervention herd im

SUBMITTER: Bronk Ramsey C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7737959 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature