Cited 1 times since 2023 (0.5 per year) source: EuropePMC Mathematical biosciences and engineering : MBE, Volume 20, Issue 10, 1 1 2023, Pages 17661-17671 Separable mixing: The general formulation and a particular example focusing on mask efficiency. Bootsma MCJ, Chan KMD, Diekmann O, Inaba H
The aim of this short note is twofold. First, we formulate the general Kermack-McKendrick epidemic model incorporating static heterogeneity and show how it simplifies to a scalar Renewal Equation (RE) when separable mixing is assumed. A key general feature is that all information about the heterogeneity is encoded in one nonlinear real valued function of a real variable. Next, we specialize the model ingredients so that we can study the efficiency of mask wearing as a non-pharmaceutical intervention to reduce the spread of an infectious disease. Our main result affirms that the best way to protect the population as a whole is to protect yourself. This qualitative insight was recently derived in the context of an SIR network model. Here, we extend the conclusion to proportionate mixing models incorporating a general function describing expected infectiousness as a function of time since infection.
