Task Force: Flattening The Curve

Congratulations!

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has put you in charge of flattening the curve. It is your job to ensure that COVID-19 does not continue to exponentially spread, and to lower the number of people getting infected each day. 

Why Are We Doing This?:

This Washington Post article shows various simulations of how the curve changes with each precaution taken to flatten the curve. Here we ask you to assume that you agree with the basic claim that people should be social distancing and trying to lower these numbers. You now need to think about some ways to flatten the curve! The goal is for you to think about various steps that need to be taken in order to slow down the spread of this pandemic. 

Steps:

1. Look up some current procedures and approaches in various areas being impacted by the pandemic. 
   1. What are they doing wrong? 
   2. What are they doing right? 
   3. What needs to change?
   4. Which areas are most affected? Which areas are least affected?
2. Brainstorm requirements for citizens to practice social distancing and decide how you will reinforce these rules.
   1. How will you ensure that people stay 6 feet apart?
   2. How will you enforce the use of masks?
   3. Will restaurants be open to the public?
   4. What will be the procedure for schools, universities, and/or workplaces?
3. Think through the possible objections that someone could have and how you would answer them.
4. Think about how your requirements can be compared to a current requirement in specific states. 
5. Share with the group and see if you can convince them that the CDC should adopt and implement your plan to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Things to Keep in Mind:

•   You do not have to come up with an exhaustive list of requirements. It’s better to come up with a few requirements that you feel confident about and spend time thinking through possible objections to it.
•   Your requirements should be things that governments could realistically implement.