How to Flatten the Pandemic Curve

Figure 1.  Spanish Flu (1918)

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious diseases expert, told a Brown University panel on Friday that probabilities of a highly effective COVID-19 vaccine "are not great."

"We don't know yet what the efficacy might be. We don't know if it will be 50% or 60%. I'd like it to be 75% or more," Fauci said (quoted by Reuters).

"But the chances of it being 98% effective is not great, which means you must never abandon the public health approach."

Figure 2.  More masks = less spread/symptoms

How to Flatten the Pandemic Curve

Dr. Fauci  reiterated that the public must abide by these six fundamental principles to flatten the pandemic curve: 

• Universal wearing of a mask
• Physical distancing
• Avoiding crowds
• Outdoors is "better" than indoors
• Washing your hands 
• Staying away from bars

And, we can do even more for coronavirus prevention:

• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Do not shake hands or even hug friends.
• Do not touch your face.
• Sneeze or cough into a tissue and then throw it out.
• Avoid being in crowded places and attending large events.

Figure 3.  Masks reduce airborne transmission

References

1. Fauci Warns COVID-19 Vaccine May Only Be "50% Or 60%" Effective
2. Fauci Warns COVID-19 Vaccine May Be Only Partially Effective, Public Health Measures Still Needed
3. A family physician’s COVID story
4. It’s World Mask Week, Here Are 10 Misconceptions About Face Coverings
5. Coronavirus Prevention – Tips to Help Boost Your Immune System
6. A COVID-19 vaccine: 5 things that could go wrong
7. On the Question of Current and Future Lockdowns
• Interestingly, normal flus and other infectious diseases are down thanks to social distancing and mask usage.