- The typical incubation period is thought to be 5 or 6 days. Since at this point it can be spread before symptoms occur (and in some cases sufferers show no symptoms) reducing spread requires reducing social interactions.
- Herd immunity is a poor strategy, as post-infection immunity is not proven. It leaves lasting ill effects for many sufferers, both physical and mental.
- Lockdown timing is crucial. Best to do this early and lower the R number - how many people an infected person can infect before showing symptoms.
- Lockdowns vary in impact on different societies. Worst in densely populated low and middle income countries, with low quality housing and loss of income.
- Lockdowns most effective early, and once levels are minimal, localised lockdowns at infection hotspots. (Pakistan is trying 2 weeks locked down followed by 2 weeks fewer restrictions - it remains to be seen if this is effective.)
- Enforce border controls early. People working abroad panic and want to return home. Such mass migrations are difficult to screen effectively. They are hard to implement and people find ways around them. Putting people into enforced quarantine ties up a lot of resources, money that is better spent elsewhere.
- Block the right travel routes. Blocking travel from China to the US did not help, as the early spread into the USA was from Europe.
- Government messaging needs to be clear, concise and follow best practice. Mixed messaging causes uncertainty and less compliance. Certain national leaders have made decisions that have worsened their country's infection rate.
- Mask wearing. There is a lack of good trials that prove the most effective slowdown of infections. Current scientific views are that wearing a mask reduces the risk of you spreading the infection to others, so it is important that as many people as possible do so. It is thought that wearing a mask might also help people to remember to keep other members of the public at the recommended distance.
Sources: various.
