Reproductive_Number_1_Exercises.Rmd

---
title: Reproductive Number 1 - Exercises 
author: Andreas Handel
date: "`r as.Date(file.mtime(knitr::current_input()))`"
output: 
  html_document:
    toc_depth: 3
---


```{r, include = FALSE}
#just so I can use emoticons
#devtools::install_github("hadley/emo")
library(emo)
#`r emo::ji("smiley")`
```

# Hands-on computer exercise

For this module, work through the _Reproductive Number 1_ app. Fill and submit the corresponding quiz sheet.



# Topic discussion 

Read [this paper](./media/cobey20science.pdf) by [Sarah Cobey](https://cobeylab.uchicago.edu/) in which she provides a brief discussion of infectious disease modeling and the role the reproductive number plays related to COVID-19. She also touches on topics we covered in previous modules (e.g. seasonality). In the paper, she states "It is most accurate to describe $R_0$ in reference to a pathogen and host population, because the number is partially under host control." 

Find examples of this statement by looking through the literature to find - for some pathogen of your choice - at least 2 different estimates for $R_0$. Discuss what factors might affect the differences in reported values. Note that both methodological and biological components can affect $R_0$ estimates.

Report your findings in the Slack _discussion_ channel.