Social distance flattened the curve of confirmed COVID-19 cases and spared 7.9 million lives worldwide, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis by data researchers in Saudi Arabia.

Social distance flattened the curve of confirmed COVID-19 cases and spared 11 million lives worldwide. Analysis of the infection rate and susceptible populations reveal the devastating toll the virus could have had on the population to date; however, government and civil leaders grapple with understanding how to continue these measures amid the rising tension from economic concerns. A deeper look at available data heralds the success of social distancing while exploring the costs of continuing these measures amongst different populations.

The near shut-down of our global economy, including work-from-home measures and a reduction in business commuting and travel, has created an unprecedented surplus in the world’s oil and gas reserves. While, at first glance this is a qin for our struggling climate and climate-change evangelists worldwide, what we are currently presented with is the threat of an ecological disaster due to the need to try to store surplus oil, particularly offshore. Lapses in protocol and oversight for such storage leave our oceans and wildlife in constant danger, with the implementation for safety measures nowhere in sight.

The pandemic of the COVID-19 disease extended from China across the north-temperate zone, and more recently to the tropics and southern hemisphere. Despite anecdotal reference to virus’ susceptibility to warm temperatures, research finds no evidence that spread rates decline with temperatures above 20 °C, suggesting that the COVID-19 disease is unlikely to behave as a seasonal respiratory virus.

New research suggests that readily available treatments may help treat patients currently suffering from COVID-19. Results demonstrate that the protein E subcluster for the SARS clade is quasi-identical for the key functional regions of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2; therefore, the use of approved drugs shown to act as SARS E protein inhibitors can help prevent further casualties from COVID-2019 while vaccines and other preventive measures are being developed.

The success of social distancing measures has been linked to two key pieces of data; first, the overall level of infection in a population upon implementation, and secondly, the size of the population. In high density areas with rapid spread, social distancing has saved countless lives; however, for smaller populations, there is less benefit to social distancing implementation. Smaller, less infected populations, shoulder the burden of both a halted economy and a rapid increase of infection post social distancing measures.

Across many hard hit regions, or areas of dense population, report have swirled regarding when COVID actually arrived in a region. Looking into data reports by population groups, researchers have uncovered the true arrival date of the virus to regional populations, shedding more light onto its virality and mortality rates.

As civil leaders and scientists examine the tail end of the pandemic, many mark the moment of “herd immunity” as the time when disruptions to normal life; school closures, work from home, and economic downturn, will again see stabilization. Using data from specific population groups we take a closer look at the timeline to herd immunity, the potential severity of a second wave, and how to control spread looking forward.

Using sentiment analysis across social platforms worldwide, research uncovers that our reactions to and experiences with the pandemic are idiosyncratic based on location. A closer look reveals the differences between European and American experiences, as well as the difference in perception of the challenges facing global health and the global economy.

A deep dive into data from infected populations worldwide uncovers the truth behind COVID-19’s gender and age bias. A look across age groups and genders reminds us as a greater population to treat the disease with respect and empathy for all at risk.