Post-pandemic social contacts in Italy: implications for social distancing measures on in-person school and work attendance
Lorenzo Lucchini, Valentina Marziano, Filippo Trentini, Chiara, Chiavenna, Elena D'Agnese, Vittoria Offeddu, Mattia Manica, Piero Poletti,, Duilio Balsamo, Giorgio Guzzetta, Marco Aielli, Alessia Melegaro, Stefano, Merler

TL;DR
This study analyzes post-pandemic social contact patterns in Italy, assessing how remote work and distance learning could reduce respiratory disease transmission while considering societal impacts.
Contribution
It provides updated contact data post-COVID-19 and evaluates the potential epidemiological effects of social distancing measures in Italy.
Findings
In-person work and school significantly increase social contacts.
Distance learning combined with work-from-home could reduce transmissibility by up to 23.7%.
Suspending non-essential work alone has minimal impact.
Abstract
The collection of updated data on social contact patterns following the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions is crucial for future epidemiological assessments and evaluating non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) based on physical distancing. We conducted two waves of an online survey in March 2022 and March 2023 in Italy, gathering data from a representative population sample on direct (verbal/physical interactions) and indirect (prolonged co-location in indoor spaces) contacts. Using a generalized linear mixed model, we examined determinants of individuals' total social contacts and evaluated the potential impact of work-from-home and distance learning on the transmissibility of respiratory pathogens. In-person attendance at work or school emerged as a primary driver of social contacts. Adults attending in person reported a mean of 1.69 (95% CI: 1.56-1.84) times the contacts of those…
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Taxonomy
TopicsCOVID-19 and Mental Health · Youth Substance Use and School Attendance · Employment and Welfare Studies
