Coronavirus: What is 'flattening the Curve,' and will it Work?

Originally published on Live Science.

The "curve" refers to the projected number of people who will contract COVID-19 over a period of time (This is just a prediction using theoretical numbers).

The red steep curve: WITHOUT PRECAUTIONS

WITHOUT social distancing, lockdown periods, wearing of masks, washing hands

The virus spreads very quickly
Many infections and a lot of people needing health care
The health care facilities can not cope with the high demands
This results in many deaths as the health care facilities are overloaded
The virus infects most people, leaving no one else to infect and the infection rate drops causing a steep decline

The orange flatter curve: SOCIAL DISTANCING

WITH social distancing, lockdown periods, wearing of masks, washing hands

Same number of people get infected, but over a longer period of time
A slower infection rate means a less stressed health care system
Fewer sick people being turned away and a higher risk of survival

WITH social distancing, lockdown periods, wearing of masks and washing hands, we keep the infection rate below the health care capacity allowing everyone in need to seek medical attention and increasing rate of survival.

Click on the link to find out more explanations from experts (epidemiologists)

https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-flatten-the-curve.html?jwsource=em

April 21, 2020 | Tags: Covid19, Educational, Information, COVID19DigitalAwarenessCampaign