There are two types of people who believe epidemics grow exponentially; those who failed Maths and those who copied other people's homework. Unfortunately the latter would seem to include celebrity Mathematicians such as Prof Marcus du Sautoy. In the following paragraphs I'll seek to explain exponential growth and epidemiological modelling to the reader. The basic arguments will be accessible to those with a secondary school education although some of the subtleties that I will seek to impart will require a knowledge of differential calculus.
Indeed, when left to their own devices, epidemics always follow a Gompertz curve. Even before herd immunity is reached, the virus ultimately trips on itself and the wave crashes of its own weight.
Indeed, when left to their own devices, epidemics always follow a Gompertz curve. Even before herd immunity is reached, the virus ultimately trips on itself and the wave crashes of its own weight.