Stopping the coronavirus: Doctors tell public to stay home

Physician and other healthcare groups have an urgent message for the public during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: stay home.

In an open letter, the leaders of the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Nurses Association are calling on everyone nationwide to stay home to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

“Physical distancing and staying at home are the key to slowing the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to give physicians, nurses and everyone on the front lines a fighting chance at having the equipment, time and resources necessary to take on this immense challenge,” the letter says. “Those contracting COVID-19 are your family, friends, and loved ones.”

The letter says that those who are in need of dire medical care, including pregnant women, should still seek that care, but everyone else should stay home.

The letter comes as states across the country including Ohio, New York, and California have instituted stay-at-home orders seeking to stop the spread in hopes that hospitals will not be overrun by COVID-19 patients.

It notes that people who are staying home are still connecting with friends and loved ones through video chats, social media, and phone calls, but it says millions more Americans must join the effort to tackle the spread of the virus.

“Staying at home in this urgent moment is our best defense to turn the tide against COVID-19,” the letter says. “Physicians, nurses and health care workers are staying at work for you. Please stay at home for us.”

The open letter came the same day that President Donald J. Trump expressed his desire for the country to be opened back up and the economy kickstarted by April 12, despite dire warnings from public health officials that the country continue efforts to stop the disease for several months.