Why social distancing might last for some time
Why social distancing might last for some time Getty Images Many cities have gone into lock down with people confined to their homes As countries around the world implement measures to keep people from mixing, BBC Future looks at the evidence behind why it is such a crucial step in the fight against Covid-19 and how long it may go on for. National Academy of Sciences The death rates in Philadelphia and St Louis during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic demonstrate the importance of social distancing “At this time, we do not know of a safe and effective vaccine, nor do we know if a safe and effective drug will work to eliminate the Covid-19 infection once it has occurred,” says Basu. “In the absence of these, our best bet is based on prevention.” Many countries around the world are now experiencing different measures in an attempt to enforce social distancing to slow the spread of Covid-19. The time between infection and symptoms appearing has been found to be around five days for Covid-19 One of the main aims of social distancing is to “flatten the curve”, which means delaying the spread of the virus so it reaches people more slowly.
Coronavirus infection prevention — what is social distancing and how do I do it?
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