The Role Of The Environment And Human Behavior In Transmission And Severity Of Covid-19 (COVID-transmission)

Based on superficial inspection and anecdotal evidence, there appears to be a close correlation between being a hotspot area for COVID-19 prevalence or severity on one hand and environmental factors (such as air pollution and meteorological variables) and human behaviour on the other hand. For instance, the highest COVID-19 prevalence region in Italy (Lombardy) is also one of the most polluted areas of the country. This apparent correlation has led some researchers to hypothesize that environmental factor (e.g., air pollution) may play a causal role in increasing COVID-19 transmission and severity. While such a link is plausible, as COVID-19 is a respiratory transmitted from person to person through inhalation or exhalation in respiratory droplets or touching contaminated surfaces and public policies have been established based on this, the mere correlation between environmental pollution and infections might not be enough to predict infections and deaths from COVID-19. Thus human behaviour, public policy as well as socio-economic factors should be considered to vary with COVID-19 infection and death rate. In this project, we start by exploring the interrelationship between the environment, human behavior, public policy, and socio-economic factors with COVID-19 infection and death rates rigorously. We will use novel real-time satellite data and available social media data (Facebook), combined with COVID-19 infection and mortality data, for a global sample of countries. We aim to contribute to make informed public policy decisions in the context of a potential exit strategy.