Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Jim__

(15,185 posts)

13. If the curve flattens out enough, we make get a vaccine before some people get sick.

Reply to Botany (Original post)

Sun Mar 15, 2020, 01:49 PM

Mar 2020

It's possible that everyone will get sick before there's a vaccine, but it's also possible that we'll get a vaccine before then. The immediate point of flattening the curve is to avoid overwhelming the healthcare system.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

24 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Flattening the Curve question for Stats/Math Nerds [View all] Botany Mar 2020 OP

It can accomplish both lower peak demand and fewer infections PSPS Mar 2020 #1

This message was self-deleted by its author bearsfootball516 Mar 2020 #2

Yes, but it keeps the peak lower. RichardRay Mar 2020 #3

The point of flattening the curve Salviati Mar 2020 #4

The concept of flattening the curve is to reduce the rate but not the overall number... Girard442 Mar 2020 #5

Pretty close--and that's a very good thing. AleksS Mar 2020 #6

Here's a way to think about it... CincyDem Mar 2020 #7

Nice analogy! cos dem Mar 2020 #11

Haha. Yeah. Once you try the gallon challenge... CincyDem Mar 2020 #19

Why does this put me in mind of colonoscopy prep? misanthrope Mar 2020 #22

Having done both, trust me...the colonoscopy prep is much easier. Lol. n/t CincyDem Mar 2020 #24

Basically, yes. cos dem Mar 2020 #8

Yes. That's the point. jberryhill Mar 2020 #9

To address an underlying point we don't have unfettered testing so we don't know how long... uponit7771 Mar 2020 #10

this is a pretty comprehensive explaination Takket Mar 2020 #12

Was able to tease a simulation off their site BumRushDaShow Mar 2020 #16

Thank you Botany Mar 2020 #17

If the curve flattens out enough, we make get a vaccine before some people get sick. Jim__ Mar 2020 #13

Not to compare COVID-19 to the Flu... Windy City Charlie Mar 2020 #14

And as an aside, Igel Mar 2020 #23

One helpful side effect may also be reducing the number of cases and fatalities Ms. Toad Mar 2020 #15

Yes, but... Drahthaardogs Mar 2020 #18

Yes. Flattening the curve is about preventing deaths, not total cases, over time. RockRaven Mar 2020 #20

Just spitballing.... Brainfodder Mar 2020 #21