Understanding What it Means to Flatten the Curve

BixaHuman
June 27, 2020
1:44 pm

The novel coronavirus pandemic has gripped the country as few other crises have in the past. As of May 7, 2020, a New York Times database reports that there are more than 1,235,200 people in the US who have been infected with the virus, and at least 73,500 have died. Governments all over the globe have taken precautionary measures such as lockdowns, PPE distribution, self-isolation, self-quarantining, and social distancing to discourage public gatherings in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.

You may have heard the term “flatten the curve” being used on the news, on social media platforms, and conversations. The World Health Organization has repeatedly stressed the importance of “flattening the curve.” What does it mean exactly? In this piece, we answer that question.

Flattening the Curve

The curve being referred to is a graph with the daily number of cases on its y-axis (vertical) and the number of days since the first case on the x-axis (horizontal). In other words, the curve refers to the projected number of people who will contract COVID-9 over a given period of time. It is, of course, not a hard prediction but a theoretical number used to model the spread of the virus over time.

The term “flatten the curve” originated from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been widely used as shorthand for describing the effects of social distancing interventions can affect the curve. The social distancing measures were encouraged and enforced to keep the daily number of disease cases at a manageable level for medical and healthcare providers.

Without taking precautions and necessary social distancing measures, the curve is much taller. This indicates a high number of people infected with the virus over a short period of time. The healthcare capacity is a flat horizontal line that indicates a manageable number of infected people. With social distancing measures, the curve flattens to reach this flat horizontal line.

The quicker the infection rate rises, the faster the local healthcare systems get overloaded beyond its capacity to treat patients. Hospitals run out of ICU beds and basic supplies, as was the case with Italy.

How Do You Flatten the Curve?

In the absence of a vaccine or medication to help treat COVID-19, and because of limited testing capacities, the onus is on the public to act responsibly and take collective action. So, what does this collective action involve? The CDC has recommended all Americans take the following measures:

Wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water for more than 20 seconds at a time.
Avoid crowds and public gatherings.
Avoid dining out.
Avoid church.
Avoid going in to work.
Avoid touching your face.
Wear facemasks in public.
Avoid shaking hands.
Avoid hoarding supplies.
Avoid touching public surfaces.
Clean and disinfect your home.

It is crucial to take as much care of your health as you can. Add foods that will help boost your immunity, as well as important sources of nutrition that might not be a part of your regular diet. One way to do this might be through supplements that contain many of these ingredients.

We’re all in this together and must play our part to flatten the curve.

Disclaimer: Bixahuman’s products are not intended for diagnosing, treating, curing, or preventing any disease. Any information discussed in this blog is not a replacement for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor or physician for medical advice.

Understanding What it Means to Flatten the Curve

Flattening the Curve

How Do You Flatten the Curve?

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