A flatter curve, on the other hand, assumes that the same number of people ultimately get infected, but over a longer period of time. A slower infection rate means a less stressed health care system that can properly respond to the needs of the sick.
HOW DO WE FLATTEN THE CURVE?
There are a limited number of ways to slow the rise and fall of the curve and lower its peak - ie. slow the spread of a virus:
◎ A vaccine that provides acquired immunity to the virus. It stimulates the body's immune system to recognize the virus as a threat and destroy it.
◎ An antiviral medication that inhibits viral proliferation.
◎ A virucide agent that inactivates or destroys the virus.
◎ Collective action: proper hygiene and prevention measures, self-isolation, and social distancing.
As there is currently no vaccine or specific medication to treat COVID-19, and because testing is so limited, the only way to flatten the curve has been through collective action!
DOES FLATTENING THE CURVE WORK?
History says yes! In 1918, the second wave of the Spanish Flu pandemic reached America. Two cities, Philadelphia and St. Louis, addressed the pandemic with widely different policies.
In Philadelphia, officials ignored warnings from experts that the flu was already spreading and went ahead with the Liberty Loan Parade that brought together 200,000 people. Three days later, there were 635 new cases of the flu. Six months later, there were more than half a million cases with 16,000 fatalities.
At the same time, in St. Louis, the government quickly implemented social isolation measures. Schools were closed, travel was limited, group gatherings were banned, and personal hygiene was encouraged. As a result, at the six-month mark, the city had less than 2,000 deaths. Unlike Philly, St. Louis had flattened the curve.