From a medical student urging you to save lives amidst COVID-19

I am a 2nd year medical student who was sent home due to the novel COVID-19 situation. As a millennial I am horrified to see so many other people my age completely disregard the CDC recommendations and continue their dinner dates, beach plans, malls, and shopping trips. Please ask residents of Florida to stay HOME. Please put us on a lockdown. I understand it will affect our economy, but we cannot afford to become like Italy. Our economy will come back. Lives will not. NY and CA have realized this and been brave to make the right decision. I am asking you to follow their lead to ensure we can minimize the amount of COVID-19 related deaths in the country. My medical education is on hold, and my colleagues are at risk because there are too many patients showing up at hospitals and not enough personal protective equipment. Florida residents need to stay home. Please use your authority and order everyone to stay home (excluding essential services). I am already doing so, but it feels like a waste of time if the state doesn't do this. You have the power to flatten this curve. Please use it.

First sent on March 20, 2020 by Akshatha R. Medical Student Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine Quinnipiac University