The novel coronavirus continues to surge throughout the country, creating spikes in various states and regions with no apparent signs of slowing down.
“It’s really hard to slow it down once it gets going like this,” Don Milton, professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, told NPR. “That’s when these awful draconian measures come into play.”
Context:
The recent surge has already forced different states to add new mask mandates or slight lockdowns in order to stop the spread. Utah added a statewide mask mandate after taking months to do so. Iowa did the same. California created new guidelines for Thanksgiving and nighttime activities. There’s a smattering of tactics on display.
So what next?
According to NPR, there are multiple ways that experts say could help stop the surge of the novel coronavirus. However, a lot of decisions should be made using local data in mind. What works in one area might not work in others.
Here are seven actions that could help stop the spread
- Lockdowns and stay-at-home orders.
- Lockdowns or new guidances based on local spread information.
- Mask mandates.
- Curfews for nighttime activities.
- Limiting the size of small gatherings.
- Closing or limiting capacity of bars and restaurants specifically.
- Closing schools (though this has been slightly contested among experts).
The takeaway:
It’s unclear how the United States plans to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. But experts do have recommendations for easy ways for states, cities and regions to get surges under control.