Coronavirus briefing: 15 days of social distancing, and other updates for March 17
As cities and states across the country put more restrictions in place to try to put the brakes on the coronavirus, President Donald Trump on Monday asked Americans to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people and forego restaurants and bars for the next 15 days.
More than 183,000 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed worldwide with more than 7,100 deaths as of March 17, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 4,600 confirmed cases with at least 85 deaths.
The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 virus a global pandemic. In the United States, Trump has declared a national emergency.
Trump calls for 15 days of minimal contact
During a daily press briefing from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, the president on Monday said social distancing was the only way to slow the spread of the virus, and asked Americans to avoid large gatherings and communal spaces such as pubs for the next 15 days.
Tuesday is St. Patrick’s Day, typically one of the busiest days of the year for bars in the United States.
“If everyone makes this change, or these critical changes and sacrifices now, we will rally together as one nation and we will defeat the virus, and we’re going to have a big celebration all together,” Trump said Monday.
“While they may experience mild symptoms, they can easily spread this virus,” Trump said, “putting countless others in harm’s way.”
Trump and the White House task force say the new measures also include avoiding all unnecessary travel for the next 15 days and shuttering schools to try to slow the transmission of COVID-19.
Over the weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people should limit gatherings to 50 people or less.
Bay Area told to shelter in place
Six counties in California’s Bay Area directed residents to “shelter in place” until at least April 7 to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The sweeping order, which went into effect Tuesday morning, includes San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
“This isn’t a time for half measures,” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said, according to The Sacramento Bee. “History will not forgive us for waiting an hour longer.”
“Vulnerable populations must stay home. Everyone should stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job,” the City of San Francisco said in a public notice on its website. “It is OK to go outside for walks if you are not in a group.”
“It is mandatory. This Order is a legal Order issued under the authority of California law. You are required to comply, and it is a misdemeanor crime not to follow the order (although the intent is not for anyone to get into trouble),” the city said.
Ohio delays primary
The Ohio Democratic primary was postponed after the state health director ordered polls not to open.
In an order issued Monday, Dr. Amy Acton said postponing the primary election would “avoid the imminent threat with a high probability of widespread exposure to COVID-19 with a significant risk of substantial harm to a large number of the people in the general population, including the elderly and people with weakened immune systems and chronic medical conditions.”
Sharing the order on Twitter, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said, “During this time when we face an unprecedented public health crisis, to conduct an election tomorrow would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at an unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus.”
Georgia, Kentucky and Louisiana had already decided to delay their primaries. Elections in Florida, Arizona and Illinois will go ahead Tuesday, The New York Times reports.
Economists say we’re in ‘coronavirus recession’
There’s no doubt the coronavirus pandemic is hurting the economy as people have been told to avoid bars, restaurants, air travel and many other parts of their daily lives.
Now, economists say, the world is entering the “coronavirus recession.”
Speaking to CNN, David Wilcox, who served as the head of research and statistics for the Federal Reserve Board, said, “Ten days ago there was some legitimate uncertainty about whether the global economy was in the process of going into recession — 10 days later, there’s no question that it is.”
“These shutdowns and rising public anxiety about the virus are likely to lead to a sharp deterioration in economic activity in the rest of March and throughout April,” Goldman Sachs chief economist Jan Hatzius said, according to CNN.
“The problem for the U.S. economy is a lot of cities are shutting down, and people staying home, not going out to restaurants, not going out shopping, not buying cars,” former Federal Reserve special advisor Andrew Levine said, according to CNBC.
Tips to help protect yourself from coronavirus
There’s no vaccine for the COVID-19 virus, and experts say one may be months away from mass production.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests avoiding close contact with people who are sick, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth, staying home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The agency also advises washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
The CDC does not advise that healthy people wear face masks, but says they should be worn by coronavirus patients to help avoid spreading the illness.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 9:28 AM with the headline "Coronavirus briefing: 15 days of social distancing, and other updates for March 17."
