THREAD: On New #COVID19 Diagnosis in California Tonight: We will have community spread of #coronavirus in the U.S. It is likely that we have — right now — more cases that remain undiagnosed but will soon be revealed. We need to keep in mind several key points: 1/n
1. Your risk of contracting #coronavirus in the U.S. is still low. While it may be spreading, there are likely still a small number of cases. This could change, but it is likely the case right now. 2/n
2. We have capacity to contain small outbreaks, and, where we can’t, mitigate impact of spread. We have best public health system in the world, best infection control procedures, a vast healthcare system with substantial capacity, well equipped hospitals, and skilled providers.
While this virus can be serious and deadly, our experience with its spread is likely to look very different than other nations that don’t share out public health capacity. 4/n
3. The development of vaccines and therapeutics is actively underway and, in time, we could have a treatment or preventative medicine that could substantially lessen the impact of this virus. 5/n
4. This could be a long fight that will require shared sacrifice. There may not be a start and finish to the spread of this virus. It may become something that we need to manage for a period of time until we can develop a therapeutic backstop. 6/n
While it’s spread may dissipate and even largely disappear in the peak summer months, it could come back in the fall. We have the capacity to manage its persistent presence. 7/n
We need to put significant resources now behind the development of not just a vaccine, but also therapeutics that can treat or prevent its spread. These also include antibodies that can serve as prophylaxis for those at greatest risk of contagion. 8/n
5. The best thing Americans can do is be vigilant, take responsible precautions, and follow the advice of our great public health professionals at CDC and local health authorities. 9/n
We have faced many infectious threats in our history. This one is sinister, but we have never been better equipped to mitigate its impact. We will preserve life, and prevail. 10/n
