Why lockdown? Simplified arithmetic tools for decision-makers, health professionals, journalists and the general public to explore containment options for the novel coronavirus

Gerry Killeen; Samson Kiware

And tackling this pandemic will rely overwhelmingly upon widespread understanding and mass participation by the entire global public, rather than just the health professionals and high-level decision makers who will lead the response. Currently, half the world's population is already under lock down of some kind, meaning vertically enforced and severe restrictions of movement and physical interaction, and the remainder will have to follow if the ongoing COVID-19 virus pandemic is to be contained. Faced with such brutally difficult decisions, it is essential to policy-makers, health professionals and the general public that as many people as possible understand why lock down interventions represent the only realistic way for individual countries to contain their national-level epidemics before they turn into public health catastrophes. It also vital for as many people as possible to understand why these need to be implemented so early, so aggressively and for such extended periods.