President Trump Extends Federal Social Distancing Guidelines to April 30, Health Officials Warn COVID-19 Deaths Could Reach 100,000 or More

The U.S. surpassed 100,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases Friday and has more confirmed cases than any other country in the world, according to data from the Center of System Science and Engineering from John Hopkins University. The nation currently stands at 139,675 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2,436 confirmed deaths.

Earlier in the day, in an interview with CNN, Dr. Anthony Fauci told Jake Tapper, based on what the models show, the US could see 100,000 or more individuals die from coronavirus and millions of confirmed cases of those with COVID-19. He also said it is difficult to estimate how many COVID-19 cases and deaths ultimately to expect in the U.S., and he didn’t want to make a firm prediction or mislead people.

Trump said that even though 100,000 deaths would be a “horrible number”, if we could hold it down to that number, “we all together have done a very good job.”

Here are the steps the CDC said are the best ways to protect yourself and others from being exposed to the novel coronavirus:

Clean your hands often

-Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

-If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

-Avoid close contact with people who are sick

-Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Stay home if you’re sick

-Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.

Cover coughs and sneezes

-Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

-Throw used tissues in the trash.

-Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Wear a face mask if you are sick

-If you are sick: You should wear a face mask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a face mask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a face mask if they enter your room.

-If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face mask). Face masks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

Clean and disinfect

-Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

-If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection