Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
The federal government’s decision to ban “non-essential” mass gatherings of more than 500 people from today has led to some confusion about what’s included and also some amusement about the weekend’s delay from announcement to implementation. The delay is probably understandable, as it allows for people to be informed. And overall, the ban makes sense from a public health perspective.
As always with complex events such as pandemics, the evidence is variable and not clear cut.
A recent review by researchers on the Gold Coast found mass gatherings can increase the number of emergency department presentations by up to 400 patients per day.
But the impact is variable and depends on the nature of the event.
Similarly, a review of research on mass gatherings in the United States found outbreaks of infectious diseases following 72 mass gathering events.
Computer modelling suggests mass gatherings can increase the peak of a pandemic by 10%. In other words, there would be 10% more cases with mass gatherings than without.