Public Health has always been focused on epidemic prevention, using standard practices. These public health methods include testing with quick results, isolating positives and contact tracing, or looking for people who have been exposed to the infected person. These practices have been successfully used by public health practitioners through numerous epidemics.
How Does a Pandemic Stop?
Physical distancing prevents infections so. we can maintain enough hospital beds and give medical professionals time to get better at treating COVID-19. Eventually, as people develop immunity or become immune because a vaccine is available, the epidemic will slow. This tipping point in immunity is called Herd Immunity and most experts think 60-70% of the population needs to be immune before the epidemic slows.
So What's the Big Deal with this Virus?
Physical distancing will prevent infections. With fewer infections, we have enough hospital beds to treat those who need them. With enough beds, we can save some of the lives of those most impacted by the virus, those over age 60.
