Know better, do better: The role of exponential growth understanding in decision making during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

People mistakenly use the term "exponential growth" to depict a fast-growing process rather than a specific mathematical concept with implications for the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Policies promulgated by the authorities during this period were misunderstood and resulted, in many cases, with shocking results worldwide. Biases associated with lack of complete understanding of the speed that the virus was spreading had an impact on the decision-making process. In particular, policy makers had to determine the proper balance between life-saving guidelines and economic costs associated with containment measures. In the future, governments must learn to manage such situations by better appreciating the impact of exponential growth to respond properly when a pandemic may reoccur. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)