4) Once we have a handle on RR and CFR, we can concentrate our isolation/quarantine efforts on segments of the population who are at high risk, and lift restrictions at populations at low risk;
5) Use the new anti-viral treatment protocols (hydroxychloroquine, hydroxychloroquine + azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine + zinc sulfate) to treat high-risk and seriously ill patients to keep them out of the hospitals and ICU's. (The new anti-viral protocols are the most important development in the pandemic response to date. We can thank doctors in Israel and France for this development, by the way.)
President Trump told us a couple of days ago he expects we will be able to lift the restrictions "by Easter". I doubt he would have made that statement if he didn't have knowledge from the C19TF to inform his decision. And that knowledge isn't restricted to the C19TF... as I said in the beginning of this piece, there are a LOT of doctors and medical researchers out there who are reaching this same conclusion.
Again: the science isn't settled by any means. But we know more every day than we did the day before, and the epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists who are working on the medical solution to this mess are going to come up with a good response. So far it appears that the CDC, the C19TF, and President Trump are listening to that consensus. And that is a good thing.
Please be clear: we are NOT at the point of being able to lift social isolation/quarantine yet. People who disregard the measures in place are unquestionably hastening the spread of the epidemic, and putting our nation's hospitals at risk of being overwhelmed. So keep doing the positive things, my friends, and wait for the smart guys to figure this out. I am confident they will.
DocRocket, Thanks so much for this thoughtful, informative write up.
A couple questions?
What, in your opinion, are the chances that it will be safe for high risk individuals, or their close family members, to go out in public by Easter?
We are all anxious to hear of a successful treatment regimen. Are we actually seeing positive results yet from such treatments beyond the initial reports we heard a week or so ago?
And thanks so much for the last two paragraphs. Especially the last. That is so important for the public to understand.
Thank you for your service on the front lines of this battle. I am sure the worst is yet to come for your location. Good luck, and stay safe.
