April 2018 PMID 29669545

Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review.

Faruque Ahmed, Nicole Zviedrite, Amra Uzicanin

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Mentions

77
Peak: 23 in Mar 2020
across 5 sources since Apr 2019

Extended reach

329,048
potential audience

Total likes

5,248

Video views

158,421

Mentions per month

Apr 2019 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter41 posts
  • News23 articles
  • Blogs9 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone reflects a mix of support and critical analysis, with examples like mentions of a systematic review supporting the 23% reduction statistic and discussions about biases in epidemiological studies. Words like 'support', 'paucity', and 'limitations' indicate nuanced debate, emphasizing both the significance of the findings and the need for further robust research.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most posts acknowledge the review's findings that social distancing reduces influenza transmission, with some even emphasizing the supporting evidence from modeling studies.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions demonstrate high interest, referencing meta-analyses, historical context, and potential implications for public health policies.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts engage deeply, referencing specific studies, addressing methodological limitations, and debating the strength of the evidence.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest that the research influences perceptions of social distancing's importance, although some posts highlight uncertainties and biases, tempering its perceived impact.

Abstract in brief

  • A systematic review analyzed the effectiveness of workplace social distancing in reducing influenza transmission, finding that it can decrease illness rates and delay peak infections, especially when combined with other interventions.
  • Epidemiological studies showed some positive results, but had serious biases, while modeling studies suggested that social distancing alone could cut influenza attack rates by about 23%.
  • The review highlights that while modeling supports social distancing in workplaces, there's a lack of high-quality epidemiological evidence, emphasizing the need for more rigorous research.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Ash Paul
@pash22 · X

Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review https://t.co/ySsyzJsEd5

Mar 13, 2020 · 11 likes · 7 shares · 32,310 followers View post →
The Shah of Iran
@miano_pan · X

@TobytheOrca @ceorge_gostanza @Atlaswuzhere2 @esjesjesj Funny. That link doesn't take you to a systematic review. https://t.co/NPORgiwyKt

Mar 22, 2025 · 7 likes · 574 followers View post →
Vicki Allen Crabb
@crabb_vicki · X

@bamajc7 @mcfunny @StopVaxxedLies @FrankDElia7 @RisetteMD @krebiozen @ianfmusgrave @BoastIra @Monstercoyliar @bob_hound @sugerkat @MacBaird13 @HatgiNeal @CobraElDiablo @BeckyJohnson222 @organicdot @CarlaGlade @100Dianne @Clues @FrozenShadow0 @DocEmRu @PJMoore1958 @NoScienceDenial @DoubleDoubleJon @ChrisJohnsonMD @ilzheven @_mamadeb @DoubleDumas @TungstenV @AgileConcept @KayVonPaul @Kathmarval @GeoffSchuler @VileThePro @pHarmAintYoMama @carlsmythe @Rome_Fell @mattb1974 @DianaGr87256494 @doritmi @ktibus @PaulLCarr2 @JaneEOpie @The_PSR @Geminifty @UrfriendsTell @Golfergirl2018 @Shared_facts @ajg6882 @jkellyca A systematic review (highest level of evidence) concluded that social distancing resulted in a 23% reduction in the transmission of influenza in the workplace but a non-scientist from a biased news source decided otherwise? https://t.co/2oNbZIzxET

Jun 7, 2020 · 6 likes · 5,538 followers View post →
Tales from the Enk Runner
@Unexpected_F33L · X

@GorillaBiscuit @mehdirhasan @hbdchick Here's 3 https://t.co/qIO0n399KF https://t.co/USZ1jxlD8K https://t.co/AuAyk4TLvb

Jul 25, 2020 · 5 likes · 22 followers View post →
omega.ekimena
@OEkimena · X

.@gob_eus: NO se está siguiendo el consejo de los expertos.  "The modeling studies estimated that workplace social distancing measures alone produced a median reduction of 23% in the cumulative influenza attack rate in the general population." https://t.co/0RSu6UUeI3

Mar 25, 2020 · 3 likes · 220 followers View post →
popo
@per5onalized · X

@Grover1506 @rnarkhoppus I'm sure you know better. https://t.co/XzOekMCW1H

Aug 21, 2020 · 2 likes · 22 followers View post →

All mentions

Danny
@YourFerntasy · X

@lavalmxhr @emd4youuuuu @flubberfoot @TheGlobeIsDead I guess if you need a study to show that social distancing reduces transmission, here you go. It’s just common sense though, but as we’ve established, you don’t have any of that. https://t.co/1Y5cM0T8Sp

Aug 18, 2025 · 370 followers View post →
Free State of Mind
@smvallet05 · X

@grok @_Zae__ @barnes_ter @amazingpicsa @Street__lawyer According to this analysis the average is 23% w/ effectiveness declining w/ higher basic reproduction number values, delayed triggering of workplace social distancing, or lower compliance. https://t.co/WIaDSxvdvd

Jul 26, 2025 · 293 followers View post →
The Shah of Iran
@miano_pan · X

@TobytheOrca @ceorge_gostanza @Atlaswuzhere2 @esjesjesj Funny. That link doesn't take you to a systematic review. https://t.co/NPORgiwyKt

Mar 22, 2025 · 7 likes · 574 followers View post →
David Erlen Meyer
@DrDavidNL · X

@VMullemY @jhn_steen @BroFozlover @JurgenGeevels @vrtnws https://t.co/yB6AbnRPaW

Mar 3, 2025 · 725 followers View post →
MPC
@mpc_xetts · X

@marypmadigan @BGatesIsaPyscho https://t.co/17xUfNKrxq "Modeling studies support social distancing in non-healthcare workplaces"

Aug 25, 2024 · 1 like · 852 followers View post →
Chris H
@Samcat604 · X

@ajsheff @KingCamels1 @TheMindOfJessie After 2 minutes of searching on Google... https://t.co/DrpOmvNb3W https://t.co/F7NQGHWaDg

Jun 6, 2024 · 1 like · 538 followers View post →
Kylyn Toby
@KylynToby · X

@DrKellyVictory Social distancing has been referenced & implemented in public health for >100 yrs notable during 1918 influenza pandemic. My knowledge of the concept was the 2009 swine flu pandemic. These articles prove it did exist before 2020. https://t.co/GHPlA85icS https://t.co/JTTTQlIRm3

Jan 9, 2023 · 62 followers View post →
popo
@per5onalized · X

@Grover1506 @rnarkhoppus I'm sure you know better. https://t.co/XzOekMCW1H

Aug 21, 2020 · 2 likes · 22 followers View post →
Tales from the Enk Runner
@Unexpected_F33L · X

@GorillaBiscuit @mehdirhasan @hbdchick Here's 3 https://t.co/qIO0n399KF https://t.co/USZ1jxlD8K https://t.co/AuAyk4TLvb

Jul 25, 2020 · 5 likes · 22 followers View post →
ニューロドクター乱夢
@hichachu · X

https://t.co/lM1ZutqrjP Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review Modeling studies support social distancing in non-healthcare workplaces, but there is a paucity of well-designed epidemiological studies.

Jun 26, 2020 · 4,265 followers View post →
yoshkapundrick
@yoshkapundrick · X

@zoeharcombe @carlheneghan https://t.co/GIgwt0lYQN Tell me Dr. Harcombe, in the pre antibiotic era how did they make such dramatic reductions in Tuberculosis transmission ?

Jun 20, 2020 · 300 followers View post →
Vicki Allen Crabb
@crabb_vicki · X

@microtome45 @Snowxxo2 @ve10ve @YeahImAlicia Social distancing has been shown to be effective in the reduction of the transmission of influenza. https://t.co/2oNbZIzxET

Jun 15, 2020 · 5,538 followers View post →
Vicki Allen Crabb
@crabb_vicki · X

@bamajc7 @mcfunny @StopVaxxedLies @FrankDElia7 @RisetteMD @krebiozen @ianfmusgrave @BoastIra @Monstercoyliar @bob_hound @sugerkat @MacBaird13 @HatgiNeal @CobraElDiablo @BeckyJohnson222 @organicdot @CarlaGlade @100Dianne @Clues @FrozenShadow0 @DocEmRu @PJMoore1958 @NoScienceDenial @DoubleDoubleJon @ChrisJohnsonMD @ilzheven @_mamadeb @DoubleDumas @TungstenV @AgileConcept @KayVonPaul @Kathmarval @GeoffSchuler @VileThePro @pHarmAintYoMama @carlsmythe @Rome_Fell @mattb1974 @DianaGr87256494 @doritmi @ktibus @PaulLCarr2 @JaneEOpie @The_PSR @Geminifty @UrfriendsTell @Golfergirl2018 @Shared_facts @ajg6882 @jkellyca A systematic review (highest level of evidence) concluded that social distancing resulted in a 23% reduction in the transmission of influenza in the workplace but a non-scientist from a biased news source decided otherwise? https://t.co/2oNbZIzxET

Jun 7, 2020 · 6 likes · 5,538 followers View post →
Steven Chaussee
@stevenchaussee · X

@nathanmhansen @GovTimWalz Here you go peer reviewed: https://t.co/QZu1lRdNcY

May 11, 2020 · 564 followers View post →
Sandra Stotsky
@sgstotsky · X

https://t.co/DaEKhkhaRO "More research is needed to assess the effectiveness of social distancing ...in a variety of work settings. Modeling studies indicate that social distancing in non-healthcare workplaces reduces the peak number of influenza cases & also delays the peak."

May 6, 2020 · 626 followers View post →
MrHandsOnChemistry
@HandsOnChem · X

Im struggling to find the research that supports social distancing. Has anyone got anything I should be reading? This is the best I found, but it states the research has critical bias. #evidence #showmethedata https://t.co/G5QCZ82MAw

May 6, 2020 · 331 followers View post →
Adriaan Keij
@adriaankeij · X

@georgevanhouts George, look what I found Droplets generated by coughs and sneezes are a major source of influenza transmission. Social distancing can decrease the risk of person-to-person influenza transmission by reducing droplet transmission that occurs within 3–6 ft https://t.co/ybB2lSd0Ve

May 2, 2020 · 1,430 followers View post →
Mala Mann MCLIP
@SysReviews · X

RT @JanKlimas: Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review | BMC Public H…

Mar 25, 2020 · 3 shares · 2,567 followers View post →
Sandy Oliver
@profsandyoliver · X

RT @JanKlimas: Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review | BMC Public H…

Mar 25, 2020 · 3 shares · 2,749 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @JanKlimas: Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review | BMC Public H…

Mar 25, 2020 · 3 shares · 6,704 followers View post →
Jano Klimas
@JanKlimas · X

Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review | BMC Public Health | Full Text https://t.co/ZtlsNCLnda

Mar 25, 2020 · 3 shares · 951 followers View post →
omega.ekimena
@OEkimena · X

.@gob_eus: NO se está siguiendo el consejo de los expertos.  "The modeling studies estimated that workplace social distancing measures alone produced a median reduction of 23% in the cumulative influenza attack rate in the general population." https://t.co/0RSu6UUeI3

Mar 25, 2020 · 3 likes · 220 followers View post →
jsavill
@savillj013 · X

@CeliaEGreen @MackayIM Was someone asking about this? ‘Effectiveness of Workplace #SocialDistancing’ Measures in Reducing Influenza Transmission: A Systematic Review Faruque Ahmed et al. BMC Public Health. 2018 https://t.co/5egfO9GEPv

Mar 25, 2020 · 1,798 followers View post →
Springernomics
@Springernomics · X

#openaccess: Effectiveness of workplace #socialdistancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: https://t.co/a8fnVOQE0h

Mar 19, 2020 · 8,999 followers View post →
andrea poscia
@AndreaPoscia · X

RT @pash22: Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review https://t.co/ySsy…

Mar 14, 2020 · 7 shares · 174 followers View post →
Darren Smith
@Dazza70Smith · X

RT @pash22: Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review https://t.co/ySsy…

Mar 14, 2020 · 7 shares · 5,090 followers View post →
Sally Hardy
@SallyHardys · X

RT @pash22: Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review https://t.co/ySsy…

Mar 14, 2020 · 7 shares · 1,251 followers View post →
Caroline Bartle
@3Uknz · X

RT @pash22: Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review https://t.co/ySsy…

Mar 14, 2020 · 7 shares · 14,394 followers View post →
Asan Akpan
@asanakpan · X

RT @pash22: Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review https://t.co/ySsy…

Mar 14, 2020 · 7 shares · 11,134 followers View post →
priya joseph
@ayirpelle · X

RT @pash22: Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review https://t.co/ySsy…

Mar 13, 2020 · 7 shares · 4,985 followers View post →
Ash Paul
@pash22 · X

Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review https://t.co/ySsyzJsEd5

Mar 13, 2020 · 11 likes · 7 shares · 32,310 followers View post →
YNST
@NoPetsNoNames · X

@cormahir 10.1086/656480 10.1186/s12889-018-5446-1 https://t.co/bFiyA4MDqp Ahora solo te pido que las leas con detenimiento y leas los errores, las limitaciones y los por que no son tan efectivas... no solo el resumen.

Mar 12, 2020 · 877 followers View post →
didaclopez
@didaclopez · X

"Modeling studies support social distancing in non-healthcare workplaces, but there is a paucity of well-designed epidemiological studies." https://t.co/LVAMRGc6hH

Mar 12, 2020 · 3,437 followers View post →
Steven Cummins
@stevencjcummins · X

@gingerly_onward Review from 2018 https://t.co/anH1mo1Sa0

Mar 12, 2020 · 1 like · 1,810 followers View post →
Tony Yates
@t0nyyates · X

Paper here: https://t.co/tnOyrpLzUj

Mar 12, 2020 · 1 like · 31,868 followers View post →
Ren DeBrosse
@RenDeBrosse · X

@PhilanthropyGal Here’s half of the citations needed for that tweet: BMC Public Health. 2018 Apr 18;18(1):518. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5446-1.

Mar 11, 2020 · 1 like · 190 followers View post →
Elvin Geng
@elvingeng · X

@gregggonsalves paper from 2018 https://t.co/2BUdqkM4fW - impact of workplace social distancing on influenza sensitive to threshold at start. Likely applies to #COVID19? Effect/pain=f(timing). https://t.co/0nioA7nV0j

Mar 8, 2020 · 1 like · 651 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @OntarioODHA: It’s still flu season…medical experts offer advice on how to recognize signs & symptoms and self-care tips; follow @NCBI s…

Mar 6, 2020 · 1 share · 6,704 followers View post →
ODHA
@OntarioODHA · X

It’s still flu season…medical experts offer advice on how to recognize signs & symptoms and self-care tips; follow @NCBI studies on community flu transmission & prevention (via @MayoClinic) https://t.co/UQb7VVl97j https://t.co/qNplbCyz4b #patientcare #vaccine

Mar 6, 2020 · 1 share · 2,876 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @sciasupdate: #forskningsoversigt: Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systemati…

Apr 8, 2019 · 1 share · 6,704 followers View post →
Scias Update
@sciasupdate · X

#forskningsoversigt: Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review. https://t.co/Uio8KU6Epe

Apr 8, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 4 followers View post →