A solution scan of societal options to reduce transmission and spread of respiratory viruses: SARS-CoV-2 as a case study.

Abstract

Societal biosecurity – measures built into everyday society to minimise risks from pests and diseases – is an important part of managing epidemics and pandemics. We aimed to identify societal options for reducing the transmission and spread of respiratory viruses. We used SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) as a case study, meeting an immediate need to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually transition to more normal societal conditions, and to catalogue options for managing similar pandemics in the future. We used a ‘solution scanning’ approach. We read the literature, consulted psychology, public health, medical and solution scanning experts, crowd-sourced options using social media, and collated comments on a preprint. Here, we present a list of 519 possible measures to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission and spread. Our list provides a long list of options for policy-makers and businesses to consider when designing biosecurity plans for SARS-CoV-2 and similar pathogens in the future. We have also developed an online application to help with this process. We encourage testing of actions and documenting of outcomes, revisions to the current list, and the addition of further options.