As cases of coronavirus rise exponentially in the United States, experts and doctors are strongly urging healthy people to stay home as much as possible to slow the spread.
“It is extreme because what we’re asking [Americans] to do really has never been done at scale across our country, certainly in our lifetimes,” Dr. Asaf Bitton, director of Ariadne Labs, a joint health center affiliated with Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, told Jim Braude on Greater Boston Wednesday.
Bitton, who wrote a viral post on the subject titled, “Social Distancing: This is Not a Snow Day,” explained that in addition to physical distancing, a coordinated public health response among all levels of government would work best to reduce confusion during this time.
“It is really important, especially if you’re sick, to not go out and not potentially contact other people outside of your household," he said. "If you have room in your household, really try to isolate yourself from others if you do get sick."
While maintaining physical separation may take a toll, he says the easiest way to sustain social connection is online.
“Right now, my kids are on, you know, four- or five-way Skype play dates," he explained. "And we’re connecting with grandparents and loved ones. And I know that young people are finding new ways to connect with their friends. It’s going to take this ingenuity for us to get through this isolating period.”
As for those who won’t stop going out in public, Bitton had just one piece of advice.
“Right now, you can be a hero by doing almost nothing. Meaning be a hero by staying at home…. this is what’s needed right now,” Bitton said.
