THREAD: On #Coronavirus, we may be entering a period of accelerating cases. The country could look very different over next two weeks. We’ll get through this, but need to take steps now to limit the scope and impact of virus. There are things we can do now to help ourselves. 1/n
2/n In last 10 days Italy diagnosed 95% of total cases they now report; South Korea 85%. 2 weeks ago, Italy had just 9 cases. 7 weeks ago, China reported 50 cases. The point: once the epidemics are discovered, they’ve been underway. Case counts grow quickly. Same likely true here
3/n What should we do now? Moving quickly and aggressively to mitigate spread, reduce the scope of the epidemic here, continue to ready the healthcare system, work with cities and states to develop a uniform, systematic response; provide financial assistance to help these efforts
4/n Mitigation: The goal is to reduce the number of cases at the peak of the epidemic. This extends the length of the epidemic, but can push the total number of cases at any one time below the point where the healthcare system gets exhausted, improving outcomes for patients.
5/n We need a uniform and timely approach to mitigation and social distancing that local, state officials can follow and clear set of principles on when to adopt the measures. School closures, event cancellations, other aggressive steps need to be implemented now in certain areas
6/n We must support affected cities, states with financial assistance. The feds must strongly encourage states and cities that have outbreaks to take mitigation steps to help protect nation. But localities that take on these burdens should be compensated for hardships they incur
7/n Simple measures still matter. Hand washing, avoiding crowded indoor spaces, cleaning surfaces, keeping people more apart where appropriate. Businesses and individuals are responding with prudent and measured action, and need to step up these efforts.
8/n There will be hardship especially among the vulnerable. We need to consider financial assistance; first aid through existing programs then perhaps a bigger supplemental. Many people can’t easily absorb missed work, closed schools. We must assist them for the measures to work
9/n Businesses need to do their part by offering flexibility to workers in order to make these mitigation measures effective - telework, flexibility when schools are closed and parents must tend to children, avoidance of unnecessary travel especially to and from areas of spread.
10/n We will get through this. Some of these measures at social distancing, improved hygiene techniques, could persist. The epidemic will abate but outbreaks could occur again until we have a vaccine. Ultimately technology will vanquish this disease.
11/n This is a dangerous virus. We have faced worse, and prevailed. People will suffer and die. The most vulnerable are at greatest risk. We must all work together to protect them. The next few months will be hard, but we will preserve life, and eventually conquer this pathogen
