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Vandy doc: 'We've got to flatten the curve!'

Dr. David Aronoff said if Tennesseans don't stay away from each other it could be devastating for the entire state.

Medical experts say the best thing people can do to help limit the spread of coronavirus is to just stay home.

Dr. David Aronoff, director of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said Tuesday on a Zoom call that data suggests "flattening the curve" is the most important thing we should be focusing on.

Aronoff said if we do not listen to experts' advice to avoid spreading the virus, it could have devastating consequences for the whole state.

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"If we are not able to flatten the curve, we will face shortages and that will put all people in Tennessee at risk for being sick and not getting the care they deserve," Aronoff said.

He said said if we continue at the rate we are at, the state's hospital capacity could be overwhelmed as soon as mid April.

There is good news.

He said he thinks the governor is making decisions that are moving Tennessee in the right direction.

More could be done, he said, but he thinks state leaders are working with the data we have to learn more.

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