Family Physicians Write "Prescription for America" to Stop Spread of COVID-19

With alarming new rates of infection and transmission, family physicians implore Americans to just stay home

News provided by

American Academy of Family Physicians

Apr 03, 2020, 09:07 ET

LEAWOOD, Kan., April 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. now has the highest number of known COVID-19 cases in the world with projections showing that U.S. deaths may soon surpass other countries as well. As the rate of transmission grows exponentially, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has shared a new campaign calling on all Americans to protect themselves, their communities and health care workers by staying home.

The Prescription for America campaign demonstrates how improper social distancing quickly leads to new infections, while offering a very simple action everyone can take to stop the spread: staying home. The video released by family physicians around the country highlights how common scenarios that seem harmless, such as going to a friend's house for game night or going for a walk with a neighbor, can accelerate the spread of the deadly virus. Family physicians urge everyone to follow doctor's orders to stop the spread and save lives with a "prescription to stay home."

"Staying home saves lives," said AAFP President Gary LeRoy, M.D. "The number of deaths we've seen from COVID-19 is devastating. Our patients, our friends and family, and our fellow health care workers are dying. In times of a pandemic, we depend on the public to stay off the streets to help keep us healthy so we can keep everyone else healthy. We are doing our best to treat our patients, but we need every American to help us out and stay home."

New data out of Seattle show evidence of the effectiveness of strict containment strategies. In the absence of a national lockdown, physicians are appealing directly to their fellow citizens to do their part and stay home.

For more information on COVID-19 and how to prevent the spread, visit familydoctor.org.

About the American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the American Academy of Family Physicians represents 134,600 physicians and medical students nationwide, and it is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.

Family physicians conduct approximately one in five of the total medical office visits in the United States per year – more than any other specialty. Family physicians provide comprehensive, evidence-based, and cost-effective care dedicated to improving the health of patients, families and communities. Family medicine's cornerstone is an ongoing and personal patient-physician relationship where the family physician serves as the hub of each patient's integrated care team. More Americans depend on family physicians than on any other medical specialty.

To learn more about the AAFP and family medicine, visit aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, visit the AAFP's award-winning consumer website, visit familydoctor.org.

SOURCE American Academy of Family Physicians