What Does It Mean to Flatten the Curve?

Many of us may have questions about the ever-evolving situation involving the COVID-19 pandemic.

In today’s blog post, we are going to go over the question “What does it mean to Flatten the Curve?”

First, let’s define “flattening the curve”. The idea slowing the spread of a virus so that fewer individuals need to seek treatment and to prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed is known as “flattening the curve”.

To put it in simpler terms, let’s say that you work in an office with ten people and your office bathroom has five bathroom stalls. If everyone in the office decides to use the bathroom at the same time, there are problems. However, if the same number of people go to the bathroom but spread it out over several hours, it is okay.

Flattening the curve refers to measures that are taken to keep the number of COVID-19 cases at a manageable level for healthcare providers. If you are looking for ways that you can help flatten the curve, check out some ideas below:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
2. Only use hand sanitizer when you don’t have access to soap and water
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
4. Practice social distancing! When out in public, stand at least 6 feet away from other people
5. Avoid crowds and large gatherings
6. Watch movies and TV shows at home alone rather than going to friends houses to watch
7. Treat yourself and support local business by getting takeout to enjoy at home
8. Try to get no-contact delivery if available for your grocery and food delivery
9. Reduce all non-essential face-to-face social interactions
10. Find different ways to connect! Try interacting over the phone, by text, via email, through social media or on FaceTime/Skype instead
11. Cancel all non-essential travel
12. Cancel all non-essential face-to-face medical appointments
13. Ask your healthcare provider about the possibility of telehealth visits
14. If you can work from home, do so
15. Avoid going to the gym and try at-home workouts instead
16. Benefit both your physical and mental health by taking regular walks outdoors
17. If you are sick, stay home and avoid going out in public
18. Wave to people to greet them rather than shaking hands, kissing or hugging
19. Reach out to the BC Epilepsy Society for support, such as joining one of our online support groups

For more information, check out our video below:

We hope that the information contained in this blog has helped to answer some of your questions. For more information on COVID-19, check out our blog post on the subject here. Up-to-date information can be found from the Government of Canada here.