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    What's It Going To Take To End The Shutdown? 5 Keys To Containing Coronavirus

    Political leaders want to reopen the economy soon but public health experts say we first need to set up systems to prevent new flare-ups of the coronavirus. Here's what needs to get done.
    by Selena Simmons-Duffin Apr 16, 2020 7 minutes
    Is the U.S. getting close to being able to reopen, after weeks of social distancing? Experts say more work needs to be done ramping up systems including things like drive-through COVID-19 testing centers.

    First things first: it's not yet time to end social distancing and go back to work and church and concerts and handshakes.

    Public health experts say social distancing appears to be working, and letting up these measures too soon could be disastrous. Until there is a sustained reduction in new cases — and the coronavirus' spread is clearly slowing — we need to stay the course.

    Still, society can't stay shut down forever. Public health and state leaders are starting to talk about how and when to relax social distancing guidelines, and President Trump is expected to soon announce finalized guidelines to help states make those decisions. Even then, it's clear that life won't go back to normal all at once. The decisions will be staggered, and a lot of it will come down to local and regional circumstances.

    "We have to do it strategically and safely," said Dr. Monica Bharel, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at a briefing by Association of State and Wednesday. "The worst possible outcome of reopening public life would be a second wave of this pandemic."

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