When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S., the reaction was sweeping -- schools closed, restaurants were shuttered, many descended into self-quarantine, and mask wearing and social distancing were touted as ways to prevent the spread of the disease. But those measures came at a massive societal and economic cost.
New research from the University of Georgia’s Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases and College of Public Health explores the viability of possible alternatives and prevention models. We spoke with the report’s lead author, Professor John Drake of the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology and director of the Center, on his research and what it could mean for the future.