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true true true

Is The Stay-At-Home Order Enough To Avoid The Spread Of Coronavirus?

A sign on the door of Tracks in downtown Bloomington.

(Emma Atkinson, WFIU/WTIU News)

Now that nonessential businesses have closed, employees have been sent home to wait it out or work remotely and schools have all converted to e-learning, some Indiana residents wonder if the current order as it stands is working — and what more can be done.

Pam Dowdy asked City Limits about the effectiveness of the state's stay-at-home order, since the numbers are rising around Monroe County and the state. She wanted to know what else could be done to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

READ MORE: Indiana Reports 13 More Coronavirus Deaths, Total Now At 78

Graham McKeen is the assistant director of public and environmental health at Indiana University. He says on the whole, social distancing measures are working, and the data shows it. McKeen says while it will take time, the measures put in place will reduce the spread of the virus and the number of serious illnesses and deaths it causes.

He also thinks we may need to extend some of the measures.

READ MORE: What's Essential? In France: Pastry, Wine. In US: Golf, Guns

“Really, simply, just essentially trying to eliminate any non-essential travel and think about our behaviors and how we can impact others through our negligence," McKeen says.

Signs on the door of Village Deli in downtown Bloomington.
McKeen says wearing a mask can prevent you from touching your face and nose as well, which can be very beneficial. (Emma Atkinson, WFIU/WTIU News)

If someone is exhibiting symptoms of the coronavirus, it’s important to self-isolate immediately even before the person has been clinically diagnosed. McKeen says the current protocol for someone tested for COVID-19 is to self-isolate until the results come back.

The current guidelines for a patient who tests positive is to isolate for at least seven days from the onset of symptoms and to take medications to reduce their fever and lessen their cough. McKeen says after those steps have been taken, the patient can then come out of isolation.

“Ideally you would test people that tested positive to clear them of the virus but that’s simply not happening right now due to the limited testing," he says.

Another preventative measure being taken by some is the use of a respiratory mask. While some countries have made it compulsory to wear masks when out in public settings, the CDC has yet to suggest that safety measure. McKeen says we may see some of the science shifting on that because there is still so much left to learn about the virus and its potential for transmission.

“You could see a recommendation in the near future from the federal government and others, maybe, consideration of non-medical fabric masks, at least during the short term, might provide some benefit," McKeen says.

READ MORE: Local Volunteers Are Answering The Call For Masks. Here's How You Can Help, Too

He says while fabric masks will not prevent microparticles from disseminating into the air, they do prevent some of the larger droplets. McKeen says wearing a mask can prevent you from touching your face and nose as well, which can be very beneficial. He says people shouldn’t get a false sense of security with the masks, and that they should continue to practice social distancing.

McKeen says from his vantage point in the public health sector, his best suggestions are to stay at home and act as though you have the virus.

“Unfortunately, cancel your April, as this is still the best tool we have to try to mitigate the impact to our healthcare system and that’s really what all this is about now," he says.

While we are in uncharted territory and anxiety is high, preventative measures to keep yourself and family safe are pretty straightforward. Stay home as much as possible and the numbers should start to look better soon.

For the latest news and resources about COVID-19, bookmark our Coronavirus In Indiana page here

Want to contact your legislators about an issue that matters to you? Find out how to contact your senators and member of Congress here.

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