James Reason, from the University of Manchester, developed the Swiss Cheese Model of Accident Prevention in the 1990s to illustrate how bad outcomes can occur despite measures to control risk. (He is a cognitive psychologist, now a professor emeritus at the University of Manchester, UK.)
Dr. Ian McKay, a virologist from the University of Queensland, uses The Swiss Cheese Model to illustrate the importance of using multiple, layered controls to help decrease the spread of a respiratory virus. While handwashing, physical distancing, wearing a mask, improved ventilation, widespread testing, contact tracing, and quarantine and isolation are all incredibly important in fighting COVID-19, no intervention—not even a vaccine—is 100% effective. To overcome these “imperfections” in our pandemic defense, or the gaps in the Swiss cheese, it is essential that we look beyond a cure-all, or “silver bullet”, and use as many safety precautions as practicable to amplify our safety.
In his model, McKay builds upon another patient safety tenet: shared responsibility. There are numerous steps each of us can take individually to help protect ourselves and there are equally important steps we can take to help reduce the risk of spread to our family, friends and communities.
More info - Please refer to the BBC page "Vaccines alone will not prevent Covid spreading - Here's Why"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-40ac92b1-1750-4e86-9936-2cda6b0acb3f
Dr. Ian McKay, a virologist from the University of Queensland, uses The Swiss Cheese Model to illustrate the importance of using multiple, layered controls to help decrease the spread of a respiratory virus. While handwashing, physical distancing, wearing a mask, improved ventilation, widespread testing, contact tracing, and quarantine and isolation are all incredibly important in fighting COVID-19, no intervention—not even a vaccine—is 100% effective. To overcome these “imperfections” in our pandemic defense, or the gaps in the Swiss cheese, it is essential that we look beyond a cure-all, or “silver bullet”, and use as many safety precautions as practicable to amplify our safety.
In his model, McKay builds upon another patient safety tenet: shared responsibility. There are numerous steps each of us can take individually to help protect ourselves and there are equally important steps we can take to help reduce the risk of spread to our family, friends and communities.
More info - Please refer to the BBC page "Vaccines alone will not prevent Covid spreading - Here's Why"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-40ac92b1-1750-4e86-9936-2cda6b0acb3f
