The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has said that strict measures for social distancing are the demand of the hour. Well, if the U.S. fails to bring the death rate under control, the economic implications could be severe further.
Last week, the United States surpassed Italy and China to become the country with the most number of COVID-19 cases. Currently, the U.S. is just short of 150,000 coronavirus cases and has registered around 35,000 deaths. While the situation continues to worsen every single day, some eminent personalities from the medical fraternity are already raising alarm.
Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has warned that total deaths due to the coronavirus in the U.S. can be as high as 200,000. This is a staggering revelation considering it is nearly six times the current death figure.
This revelation comes at a time when everyone in the U.S. is currently debating the economic implications of the shutdown. Besides, the America Enterprise Institute recently released a “roadmap to reopening” the U.S. industries in phases. Speaking on this matter, Fauci said:
“Looking at what we’re seeing now, we’re looking at 100,000 to 200,000. It’s such a moving target.”
Well, the U.S. has already announced a $2 trillion stimulus package to help its citizens overcome and absorb the shocks of economic fallout due to COVID-19. But well if the number of deaths grows exponentially, the economic impact could be severe further.
New York is the most infected city in the U.S. and has issued several advisories recently. Fauci says that only such measures “will ultimately help stop the virus”. Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, said:
“We are asking every single governor and every single mayor to prepare like New York is preparing now. Meet the Press.”
Coronavirus Quarantine and U.S. Roadmap
Well, the no quarantine zones in the U.S. are currently sourcing 56% of the traffic for all the new COVID-19 infections. Last Saturday, the White House coronavirus taskforce sat with President Donald Trump to discuss matters at hand. For parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, they have decided to stop short of a quarantine. Fauci said:
“The original proposal was to consider seriously an enforceable quarantine. After discussions with the president, we made it clear, and he agreed, that it would be much better to do what’s called a strong advisory.”
In the AEI report, the authors have also mentioned steps to bring the COVID-19 transmission under control. The report states that the Federal government should work alongside with the states and other healthcare partners, public or private. “The epidemic is evolving rapidly, and our understanding of best responses will evolve as well,” the authors note.
President Trump is getting to getting the U.S. economy back on track two weeks from now. Well, this seems like an uphill task at this stage considering the U.S. is adding daily over 10,000 cases in the tally.
next