LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Social distancing to flatten the curve. It's a phrase we've been providing to you on repeat, and a continuous message Kentucky's governor keeps sending.
"I still need your best. I need your best over a beautiful weekend, I need your best nest week and I need your best after that," Kentucky Governor, Andy Beshear said.
But tonight Andy Beshear isn't just preaching it, instead he's providing an example of the success of social distancing. The flu is another virus that also spreads through droplets made when people sneeze or talk.
"We have significantly less cases of the flu, especially since March, when we started taking a number of steps," Beshear said.
The graph shows from March 21st to the 28th, in just one week, flu cases in Kentucky dropped by nearly 500; an immediate effect of social distancing.
"We will absolutely lessen or slow the spread of the coronavirus. This shows you that it's happening," Beshear said.
As new research comes out, the CDC also has new recommendations. They are now suggesting ALL people should wear face masks in public. He said no one outside of the healthcare provider ought to be wearing an N95 mask. Beshear says there are other options to keep you safe, while allowing healthcare workers to use PPE.
"Cloth masks that are out there that people are making, those are the types of masks they are talking about," Beshear said.
After president trump admitted he would not take the CDC's recommendation and wear a face mask, Beshear was asked if he would wear one in public settings.
"The answer to that is yes, but I haven't been in a car in about 18 days. I'm trying to model what I'm asking everybody else to do," Beshear said. "Wearing a mask does not replace the social distancing requirements."
Social distancing still remains the primary and most effective way to help prevent the spread, and Beshear doesn't want people to forget that.
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