Pulmonary, critical care societies: Strengthen social distancing requirements
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The Critical Care Society Collaborative, which includes the American Thoracic Society, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the Society of Critical Care Medicine, has issued a joint statement urging the Trump administration and Congress to strengthen social distancing requirements to slow the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to leaning on the federal, state and local governments to maintain and strengthen these requirements, the societies appeal to the general public to fully participate in social distancing to combat the global pandemic.
“While staying at home and distancing yourself from others may feel passive, it is the most active step the American public can take to fight the epidemic,” James M. Beck, MD, president of the ATS, said in the statement.
Stephanie Levine, MD, president of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), also weighed in.
“America’s first responders, physicians, respiratory therapists, nurses and advanced health care providers are doing their part to protect the public; we urge the public and policymakers to join us in this effort to maintain social distancing until we have flattened the curve on COVID-19,” she said in the statement.
The societies also urge officials to continue to implement social distancing and suspend nonessential activities to help curb the pandemic and to prevent overwhelming the U.S. health care system so that health care professionals can effectively treat patients affected by COVID-19. These measures include suspension of mass transit systems and closure of all hotel and hospitality venues, except those serving health care-related workers and natural disaster victims, according to the statement.
Furthermore, Lewis J. Kaplan, MD, president of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, called for health care institutions to “suspend nonessential activities,” including elective surgeries and procedures, to minimize provider exposure and preserve resources.
“If this virus is not stringently contained now, the repercussions to the health of the American population, as well as the impact on the country’s economic, educational and welfare systems, will be incalculable,” Megan E. Brunson, RN, president of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, said in the statement.
The societies noted that the directive should require all people in the United States to shelter in place for at least 3 weeks starting March 30, with movement only permitted for urgent medical attention, food necessities and local, independent exercise.
“Our guidance to the public, U.S. federal government and state and local governments comes after substantial input from the CDC and careful examination of best practices from other health officials from around the world,” the statement reads.