käepidemest

Käepideomest is a type of economic and cultural phenomenon that occurs in rural or coastal areas. The term itself is Estonian, and it directly translates to "neighborhood epidemics" or "neighbourhood spread" in other languages. This concept was first discussed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic but can be applied to various other diseases.

Käepideomest is characterized by the rapid spread of a disease or an economic disruption within a small, densely populated community. In many cases, such events are driven by people traveling between villages, towns, or coastal areas, thereby facilitating the transmission of disease or economic shocks.

One notable example of käepideomest is the 2021 SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in Estonia and Latvia, where unvaccinated individuals commonly traveled to and from holiday resorts contributed significantly to the local outbreaks.

In economics, käepideomest is often associated with global supply chain disruptions. Such events can facilitate the spread of economic difficulties from larger towns to smaller communities, which are often more vulnerable to social and economic shocks.

Researchers have identified the following common factors that contribute to the emergence and persistence of käepideomest:

* Limited access to life-saving resources

* Small and self-contained community structures, leading to local transmission channels of illnesses and economic hardships

* Cultural practices, that often disregard national recommendations for the management of health and economic risks

Estonian and foreign researchers have developed a model to explain and predict käepideomest with an aim to enhance preparedness.