Just Accessibility and Impact of Regular P.C.R Testing on Commuting in Four Chinese Megacities

Keywords: Just accessibility, P.C.R. regular testing, inequality, commuting behaviors
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

The effective weekly viral detection in the urban residents, coming along with intensive contract tracing, is essential for the orderly resumption of work and economic development, thereby restoring normal daily life. In most cities in China, residents must be tested every 72 hours, aiming to identify and isolate asymptomatic cases in the early stages. Effective contact tracing, earlier diagnosis, and isolation treatment are proven sufficient to combat the spread of COVID-19 and avoid future crippling lockdowns in different studies. However, few studies focus on comprehensively understanding the influence of regular viral detection, which significantly influences an individual's daily schedule since individuals should take extra time to access the nearby polymerase chain reaction(PCR) testing facilities. In this research, we will build a behavioral model to assess the influence of regular PCR testing on commuting behaviors in four representative megacities of China (Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shenyang). This model is advantageous in modeling individual behaviors considering differences in transport modals and P.C.R facilities' selection with high spatiotemporal granularity. Considering individuals' willingness to regular PCR testing largely dependent on the accessibility of the healthcare system and the feasibility of implementation, we further focus on distributive justice of the influence of mass testing with traveling time and accessibility measures. Revealing how the distributive characteristics of PCR testing facilities reshape an individual's daily life within a city is essential for the preparation for the next wave of outbreaks and the optimization of PCR facilities to minimize traveling.