At this stage of the epidemic when we don't see cases all around us, it's easy to think that all of these incredibly drastic measures are "over kill". This is where we really
need to trust the experts. In Italy, they are now admitting that they
delayed social distancing and isolating and now their hospitals are overwhelmed. Medical personnel are having to triage who will live or die. This is a wartime tactic to maximize lives saved with limited resources at hand. We do NOT want this to happen in the U.S.
If we
blunt the number of cases by social isolation then we hopefully will not have a surge and overwhelm the health systems.
I believe the epidemiologists and public health experts when they say that if this ends up feeling like it was all overblown, that is a good place to be.
Better to be safe than sorry!!!
And remember, younger people are less likely to be symptomatic, so may be
spreading the virus. That is why these drastic measures are being taken. The young are not as likely to be seriously ill, but their elderly neighbor might catch it from them and it would be dangerous.
Addendum: There was just a press conference at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 16th recommending that
everyone stay home except to do essential errands. Fire up the online resources like exercise classes, online learning and good old fashioned phone calls to friends and family! And, of course, books require no electricity at all.
