The White House on Monday released guidelines for the next two weeks for navigating the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, including the need to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.
The guidelines stress the need for social distancing for all people, but especially for older and immunocompromised folks. The White House recommends that people listen to state and local authorities for specific guidance on how to deal with the outbreak of Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. But the unifying theme of the guidelines was to stay at home unless it’s absolutely critical.
Here are the specific groups of people they caution to stay home:
How to do social distancing, according to the White House
The guidelines also offer a bit of clarity around what social distancing looks like for young and otherwise healthy individuals.
As Vice President Mike Pence said at a press conference Tuesday, following the guidelines is critical to public health. “Our experts have told our task force that if every American acts on the president’s coronavirus guidelines, we could see a substantial reduction in the spread of the coronavirus,” he said.
Here’s how the White House recommends Americans do their part to slow the spread of coronavirus:
The guidelines also include recommendations about practicing good hygiene:
Flattening the curve
The White House guidelines stress the importance of social distancing. Social distancing is not a full quarantine, but it does mean limiting trips out into public to only those that are necessary. While out, people should maintain about six feet between themselves and others, according to experts, while taking care to maintain good hygiene, such as frequently washing hands.
Social distancing is important because preliminary research suggests about a quarter of all new coronavirus infections could be the result of asymptomatic transmission. That is to say, people could be carrying — and spreading — the virus even if they aren’t showing symptoms.
Experts have said these measures will help keep the health care system from being overwhelmed with cases of acute Covid-19, as explained by Vox’s Eliza Barclay and Dylan Scott:
After a weekend of ongoing activity in many cities, this week people seem to be starting to pay attention to the pandemic. The White House guidelines provide a basic framework for people to follow as America continues to deal with the coronavirus.
Sourse: vox.com
