A White House expert on communicable diseases told America last night to brace for the spread of Covid-19 into every city in the nation.
Though she would not answer a newswoman's question as to how many infections were likely to sweep the country, Dr. Deborah L. Birx emphasized, "We don't think any city will be spared from this virus."
Birx, whose background includes work in the global war on AIDS, said the Covid-19 virus is far more communicable than are the viruses for influenza, for other coronaviruses or for the deadly SARS virus that broke out in 2003. She said that once the Covid-19 virus reaches a city, it can fan out silently from person to person for a while before people begin sickening and showing up at hospitals.
"You may think it's not there, but it probably is," said the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator.
That is why complacency is dangerous. She urged Americans to follow the guidelines issued by the White House, and in particular to be aware that a major route of transmission is from a surface to a hand to a face. That is why much hand-washing and avoidance of touching the face is so important, Birx said.
Birx's comments seemed to imply that the White House has quietly scuttled the notion of slowing the contagion within 15 days. Monday is the end of that period.
Asked about America's infection numbers topping those of every other nation, Birx pointed out that the United States is the third most populous nation on the planet, suggesting that comparison with Italy's numbers was imprecise because of the population difference. As for China, with the world's largest population, she said officials don't really know what the true figures are for the Communist-controlled nation. She conceded that India's numbers are, so far, low as that nation enforces rigorous social distancing. India is the world's second most populous country.
Birx also finessed questions about President Trump's decision yesterday not to impose a mandatory quarantine on New York and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo opposed the idea, which had become an issue when governors of other states, such as Rhode Island and Florida, made an issue of New Yorkers fleeing the hot zone and potentially unwittingly bringing the infection with them.
But, a federal quarantine would have been tantamount to federal marshal law, as Cuomo pointed out, and was seen as politically unfeasible. Instead, a U.S. Centers for Disease Control travel advisory was issued urging everyone in the hot zone, except essential workers, to drastically curtail domestic travel.
The White House guidelines say:
Though she would not answer a newswoman's question as to how many infections were likely to sweep the country, Dr. Deborah L. Birx emphasized, "We don't think any city will be spared from this virus."
Birx, whose background includes work in the global war on AIDS, said the Covid-19 virus is far more communicable than are the viruses for influenza, for other coronaviruses or for the deadly SARS virus that broke out in 2003. She said that once the Covid-19 virus reaches a city, it can fan out silently from person to person for a while before people begin sickening and showing up at hospitals.
"You may think it's not there, but it probably is," said the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator.
That is why complacency is dangerous. She urged Americans to follow the guidelines issued by the White House, and in particular to be aware that a major route of transmission is from a surface to a hand to a face. That is why much hand-washing and avoidance of touching the face is so important, Birx said.
Birx's comments seemed to imply that the White House has quietly scuttled the notion of slowing the contagion within 15 days. Monday is the end of that period.
Asked about America's infection numbers topping those of every other nation, Birx pointed out that the United States is the third most populous nation on the planet, suggesting that comparison with Italy's numbers was imprecise because of the population difference. As for China, with the world's largest population, she said officials don't really know what the true figures are for the Communist-controlled nation. She conceded that India's numbers are, so far, low as that nation enforces rigorous social distancing. India is the world's second most populous country.
Birx also finessed questions about President Trump's decision yesterday not to impose a mandatory quarantine on New York and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo opposed the idea, which had become an issue when governors of other states, such as Rhode Island and Florida, made an issue of New Yorkers fleeing the hot zone and potentially unwittingly bringing the infection with them.
But, a federal quarantine would have been tantamount to federal marshal law, as Cuomo pointed out, and was seen as politically unfeasible. Instead, a U.S. Centers for Disease Control travel advisory was issued urging everyone in the hot zone, except essential workers, to drastically curtail domestic travel.
The White House guidelines say:
¶ Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
¶ If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
¶ If your children are sick, keep them at home. Contact your medical provider.
¶ If someone in your household has tested positive for the Coronavirus, keep the entire household at home.
¶ If you are an older American, stay home and away from other people.
¶ If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition—such as a significant heart or lung problem—stay home and away from other people.
Birx was interviewed on Fox News
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