Leading National Healthcare Professional Associations Urge Americans to Shelter in Place
On Wednesday afternoon, March 25, three leading national healthcare associations, representing physicians, nurses, and hospitals across the United States, wrote an open letter to the American public, urging all Americans to shelter in place, at a moment when a debate is raging in Washington, D.C. over what should happen next, as the COVID-19 virus explodes across the country.
The letter was authored by the American Hospital Association (AHA), American Medical Association (AMA), and American Nurses Association (ANA), which represent hospitals and health systems, practicing physicians, and practicing nurses nationwide. Altogether, the three associations represent over 5,000 hospitals, over 240,000 physicians, and over 4 million registered nurses, nationwide.
The letter began thus: “Open letter to the American public: Physicians, nurses and our entire medical community are urging all people to stay at home. We are honored to serve and put our lives on the front line to protect and save as many lives as possible. But we need your help. 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. Those contracting COVID-19 are your family, friends, and loved ones. That’s why we’re urging the public to #StayHome as we reach the critical stages of our national response to COVID-19. Of course, those with urgent medical needs, including pregnant women, should seek care as needed. Everyone else should #StayHome.”
As the associations noted, “Millions of you are already leading this effort – and we thank you. You’re still connecting with friends and loved ones through video chats, social media or just over the telephone – proving that meaningful social connections can happen at a safe distance. Millions more must join this effort, which is why we’re calling for all-hands-on-deck to confront this public health battle against COVID-19. Staying at home in this urgent moment is our best defense to turn the tide against COVID-19. Physicians, nurses and health care workers are staying at work for you. Please stay at home for us.”
The letter was authored at a time when President Donald Trump continues to make it clear that he wants to lift the federal recommendations that he and his coronavirus task force had issued on March 16, when the administration’s nationwide guidelines called on Americans to “avoid gatherings of more than 10 people; avoid eating and drinking in bars, restaurants, and public food courts; and encouraging schooling from home across the country.”
On Wednesday, the Washington Post’s Adam Taylor, Derek Hawkins, Meryl Kornfield, Felicia Sonmez, Jesse Dougherty, and Teo Armus wrote that “President Trump played down the dangers of the coronavirus pandemic Monday, emphasizing the need for the country’s economy to get back to normal. ‘America will again — and soon — be open for business,’ Trump said in a news conference. Experts warn that ending social distancing too soon would lead to a spike in cases, potentially overwhelming hospitals and leading to more deaths. U.S. states on Monday reported more than 100 deaths from the novel coronavirus, pushing the country’s total death toll past 500 and marking the first time single-day fatalities have risen into the triple-digits nationwide,” the Post reporters noted.
Meanwhile, at 3:04 PM eastern time, President Trump tweeted, “The LameStream Media is the dominant force in trying to get me to keep our Country closed as long as possible in the hope that it will be detrimental to my election success. The real people want to get back to work ASAP. We will be stronger than ever before!”