AUTHOR=Friedman Eric , Friedman John , Johnson Simon , Landsberg Adam TITLE=Transitioning Out of the Coronavirus Lockdown: A Framework for Evaluating Zone-Based Social Distancing JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health VOLUME=8 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00266 DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2020.00266 ISSN=2296-2565 ABSTRACT=

In the face of elevated pandemic risk, canonical epidemiological models imply the need for extreme social distancing over a prolonged period. Alternatively, people could be organized into zones, with more interactions inside their zone than across zones. Zones can deliver significantly lower infection rates, with less social distancing, particularly if combined with simple quarantine rules and contact tracing. This paper provides a framework for understanding and evaluating the implications of zones, quarantines, and other complementary policies.