The leading organizations of doctors, nurses and hospitals in the United States issued an open letter on Tuesday urging the public to stay home to fight the spread of coronavirus.
“Staying at home in this urgent moment is our best defense to turn the tide against COVID-19,” states the joint letter from the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association and American Nurses Association. “Physicians, nurses and health care workers are staying at work for you. Please stay at home for us.”
The letter comes a day after President Trump expressed eagerness to lift restrictions on people moving about and to reopen the economy, to the alarm of many public health experts.
“Our country wasn’t built to be shut down,” Trump said.
Experts say that people staying at home and avoiding contact with others is crucial to slowing the spread of the disease and preventing hospitals from becoming overwhelmed with a spike in patients.
“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 states. “Those contracting COVID-19 are your family, friends, and loved ones.”
The letter does note exceptions for those with pressing medical needs.
“Of course, those with urgent medical needs, including pregnant women, should seek care as needed,” it states. “Everyone else should #StayHome.”