The scientists were able to monitor how quickly the disease spread and where to, while assessing the playersâ individual responses to the outbreak. The particular features of the game, such as the many hours players around the world dedicate to it and the emotional investment they put into their online alter egos, offer scientists a tantalisingly close match to real social conditions. As the virus spread, very real challenges emerged, such as the failure of quarantine measures, further transmission by characterâs pets and the existence of âimmuneâ characters, who act as carriers, passing the virus to others while failing to succumb to symptoms. Professor Fefferman said that the findings could be of great value to public health officials in developing the best way to manage the flow of information in such a crisis. Would there be panic and chaos, or would it allow them to psychologically accept the danger and act accordingly? read more
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