Flattening the Curve…saving lives from Coronavirus

For those who wondered why they studied statistics in college, this is one time it will all come back to you.  This chart is called an Epidemic Curve and the theory behind what is happening with social engineering changes is called “Flattening the Curve”.

Knowing that our best rule is always science, this curve represents flattening out the number of cases – and therefore the glut of cases that have to be taken care of in the hospital, some in the ICU – where resources are called for all at once and in great supply. By flattening out the peak or the speed of cases, medical resources can be preserved, both human and medicine, number of beds, protective gear, and treatment modalities. 

The epidemic curve is a statistical chart used to visualize when and at what speed new cases are reported, and with successful techniques it could be flattened, rather than being allowed to rise exponentially.

In the end the efficacy of doing this is also judged by statistics – but also by human toll – as more people will live.

By taking the steps today that the state of Washington is only taking, itself, today, we hope to jump ahead and not overload a fragile medical system – and thereby save lives.