What Happens If a Pandemic Hits? TechCrunch

The World Health Organization monitors the coronavirus as a group of epidemics and suggests it has the potential to become a global pandemic. Declaration of a pandemic would not mean closed borders, a shutdown of air travel or mass quarantines and drastic containment efforts could be counterproductive, argues Jon Evans for TechCrunch. “The focus will switch from containment to mitigation: slowing down how fast the virus spreads through a population in which it has taken root,” he explains. “Mitigation can occur via individual measures, such as frequent hand washing, and collective measures, such as ‘social distancing’ – cancellations of mass events, closures, adopting remote work and remote education wherever possible, and so forth.” The US Centers for Disease Control recommends a “targeted, layered” approach addressing specific circumstances. Public officials continue to monitor the spread, and individuals can do much to monitor their own health and take appropriate precautions. – YaleGlobal