Air-borne diseases like COVID-19 spread by humans on their breath, come in surging waves. These are so predictable virologists can estimate which months they will begin, and end. We decided to find out why the COVID-19 surges in waves this way. We found our answer in a post by our old stalwart, John Hopkins Medicine.
Why COVID-19 Surges in Waves: The Human Factor
If humans spread COVID-19 infections, then it stands to reason our behavior is a major factor. We can see this at work in administrations where lockdown ends early, and there are no mandates governing behavior. However, there are also other factors in the background. Especially when people gather closely for social reasons, or to shelter from the cold.
However, notwithstanding our best efforts it’s a fact we become weary of taking precautions. And that’s especially likely after many months of cancelled activities, economic challenges, and stress. That’s when communities enter phases of COVID fatigue out of pure frustration. They drop their guard. COVID begins to build a wave but it’s largely undetected at first.
The Time Delay While the Wave Gains Strength
COVID waves start with a ripple of infections. But they soon build when these begin to spread. However, those infections may take up to two weeks before they translate to increased hospitalizations. And even then, there is seldom sufficient political will to act immediately, after COVID surges into a new wave.
Several factors eventually come together to slow the surge. Government action curtailing movement is proven to be effective, although unpopular. Citizens gradually respond to the situation by ratcheting up their own precautions.
When sufficient of them do so the infections slow, and the wave gradually subsides after several weeks. All is ‘peace in the home’ until they relax their guard again, and allow the next wave to silently gather momentum. This is often in winter, when they gather in warm places to share enjoyable moments together.
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Preview Image: Unstoppable Force of a Wave
