How covid-19 spreads: narratives, counter narratives, and social dramas BMJ 2022; 378 doi:
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-069940 (Published 31 August 2022)
Trisha Greenhalgh and colleagues explore why inaccurate narratives about the mode of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 emerged early in the pandemic and shaped a flawed policy response, with tragic consequences
Key messages
- A flawed narrative that SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted by droplets rather than being airborne became entrenched early in the pandemic
- Measures aimed at an assumed droplet pathogen (handwashing, surface cleansing, physical distancing) were over-emphasised
- Measures to reduce airborne transmission (improving indoor air quality, reducing indoor crowding and time spent indoors, and high-grade respiratory protection) were under-emphasised
- UK policy makers seemed to favour narratives from a narrow group of scientific advisers
- Consequences included care home deaths, mission critical delays in public masking, and avoidable infections of healthcare workers
Topic: How covid-19 spreads: narratives, counter narratives, and social dramas (Read 3500 times)