A Debate on Public Health Responses to COVID-19: Focused Protection versus Sustained Suppression |
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Authors: | Joon Young Song Kyong Ran Peck The Korean Society of Infectious Diseases |
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Institution: | 1.Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.;2.Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. |
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Abstract: | With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic persisting for a long time, there have been debates about the public health response strategies. We conducted a survey of adult infectious disease specialists on public health responses to COVID-19. Most responded that regulations on multi-use facilities should be maintained or strengthened, but schools should not be closed, except in cases where an outbreak occurs within the school. A slightly higher percentage of experts supported focused protection rather than sustained suppression. While the focused protection strategy might suffice in low-level epidemic situations, social distancing should be reinforced by shifting to a strategy closer to sustained suppression in the eventuality of rapid spread of outbreaks. |
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Keywords: | Public Health Response Pandemics SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 |
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