A group of scientists, engineers, and designers working with epidemiologists, public health officials, and political leaders formed together to create a tool called CovidActNow.org. This tool is aimed at predicting the effects of social distancing, having a Shelter in Place, or not taking any action against the virus. It will also reveal how the pandemic may affect different areas, like us here in Montana.

Beginning Saturday, March 28th at 12:01 a.m. the state of Montana will be under a Shelter in Place. With this drastic action, one wonders what impact will a Shelter in Place have on COVID-19 in Montana. Pictured below is a graph displaying the possible predicted outcomes for our state.

Photo courtesy of CovidActNow.org
Photo courtesy of CovidActNow.org
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The red shows how many would be affected by COVID-19 if no action was taken.  Over 70% of people would become infected, hospitals would be overloaded mid-April and over 21,000 deaths are predicted.

The orange shows the impact of social distancing and adhering to the 6-foot rule. Hospitals would be overloaded around the beginning of May with about 16,000 deaths predicted.

If you look closely and the very bottom of the graph you will be able to see a small amount of green. The green shows the impact of a Shelter in Place with only 2% of people becoming infected and less than 1,000 deaths from the virus.

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