Scientists have long studied the spread of diseases, but the emergence of COVID-19 and its profound impact on society have underscored the critical need to understand where and how diseases spread. As George Mason University doctoral student Jericho McLeod reviewed literature on as part of his work toward a Ph.D.
in and informatics, he and George Mason professor Eduardo López noticed a gap in the models and now seek to correct it. In trying to understand why disease transmissions were worse in some areas over others, McLeod and López dove into COVID-19 data looking specifically at extended family ties—meaning family members beyond the nuclear family of parents and children, such as cousins, aunts, uncles, or grandparents. "According to research on social networks in the United States, individuals during crises like COVID-19, contract their social circles yet become more active with them," said McLeod.
"During lockdown, you saw your friends less, but may have still delivered groceries to your grandmother regularly." Studies by McLeod, López, and George Mason Ph.D.
student Unchitta Kan previously confirmed that more frequently after the pandemic began and that in influencing face-to-face interaction, laying the groundwork for this research. Now, McLeod and López wanted to know if these extended family ties played a role in the spread of COVID-19. With the help of Kan and doctoral students Bryan Adams, Valentin Vergara Hidd, and Mailun (Alan) Zhang, they aimed to confi.