Originally Posted by
Muskie in dayton
So at first when the models were radically off, they did underestimated the effectiveness of social distancing. They were adjusted based on actual data, but were still far off. Then again and again, but are still are off.
Why is this? There aren't many variables that go into an epidemiological model. The answer has been provided by numerous scientific studies released in the last few weeks:
1) The virus does not spread nearly as easy as we were initially led to believe. The majority of spread takes place when people are in confined spaces with low ventilation for prolonged periods - think subways, elevators, hospital rooms, old/poorly ventilated work spaces, and housing. The virus isn't lurking on items at grocery stores or blowing in the air outside.
2) The majority of the cases are minor or asymptomatic - so it's far less deadly. Some estimates have the infection fatality rate comparable to the flu, except for the vulnerable.
Until these findings are reflected in forecast models, they will continue to be off, and so will our policy.