Fig. 8.

Comparison of tradeoff prescriptions for countries at different stages of the pandemic. The Prescriptors chosen represent a midrange in the balance between cases and cost, similar to that of Fig. 7(c). (a) For Brazil, where the pandemic is spreading rapidly at this point, Prescriptor 4 minimizes cases effectively while allowing some freedom of movement. (b) For Iran, where the pandemic appears to be entering a second wave, a more stringent Prescriptor 6 strikes a similar balance. (c) For U.S., where cases are relatively flat at this point, a less stringent Prescriptor 7 allows reducing cases gradually with minimal cost. (d) In contrast, an even slightly less stringent Prescriptor such as 9 would allow a high number of cases to return. Interestingly, in all these cases as well as in Fig. 7(c), schools and workplaces are subject to restrictions while others are lifted. Also, Prescriptor 7 often includes an alternation of stringency levels, suggesting a way to reduce the cost of the NPI while potentially keeping it effective. Thus, evolution discovers where NPIs may have the largest impact, and can suggest creative ways of implementing them.