800,000 doctors are telling Donald Trump that his \u201cplan\u201d to reopen businesses by Easter is a bad idea. In a letter delivered to Trump on March 27, 2020, organizations representing American physicians in a vast range of specialties voiced their concerns about ending social distancing as COVID-19 continues to spread across the US and has killed at least 1,000 people.<\/p>\n

The letter came in response to Trump\u2019s publicly declared preference for ending social distancing and having the economy up and running by Easter, a date he chose because he sees it as \u00a0\u201ca beautiful time,” and because, it has been reported, he has grown impatient with being cooped up in the White House and unable to hold the big campaign rallies that he thrives on.<\/p>\n

\u201cFederal, state and local governments should only set a date for lifting nationwide social distancing restrictions consistent with assessments by public health and medical experts,\u201d the letter said. \u201cLifting restrictions sooner will gravely jeopardize the health of all Americans and extend the devastation of the COVID-10 pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here is the full text of the letter and the list of signers.<\/p>\n

CMSS Statement on Restrictions to Slow the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/strong><\/p>\n

March 27, 2020<\/em><\/p>\n

Dear President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Ambassador Birx:<\/p>\n

Thank you for actively engaging the health care community\u2014particularly the nation\u2019s physicians and the organizations that represent them\u2014in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.<\/p>\n

As more than 800,000 physicians across more than 40 specialties in medicine, we continue to support travel and gathering restrictions to slow the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Physicians, other health professionals, and staff are putting themselves in harm\u2019s way without adequate personal protective equipment or necessary tools (such as ventilators) as well as with no proven treatment or vaccine for the virus.<\/p>\n

Significant COVID-19 transmission continues across the United States, and we need your leadership in supporting science-based recommendations on social distancing that can slow the virus. Our societies have closely adhered to these measures by moving our staff to fulltime telework and canceling in-person meetings (including annual meetings). These actions have helped to keep physicians and other health professionals in health care facilities, including hospitals, and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.<\/p>\n

Statewide efforts alone will not sufficiently control this public health crisis. A strong nationwide plan that supports and enforces social distancing\u2014and recognizes that our health and our economy are inextricably linked\u2014should remain in place until public health and medical experts indicate it can be lifted.<\/p>\n

Federal, state, and local governments should only set a date for lifting nationwide social distancing restrictions consistent with assessments by public health and medical experts. Lifting restrictions sooner will gravely jeopardize the health of all Americans and extend the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

Again, thank you for actively engaging the nation\u2019s physicians and the organizations that represent them. We appreciate your considering these comments and welcome an opportunity for further dialogue.<\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/p>\n

Council of Medical Specialty Societies<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
\nAmerican Academy of Dermatology
\nAmerican Academy of Family Physicians
\nAmerican Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
\nAmerican Academy of Neurology
\nAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology
\nAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
\nAmerican Academy of Pediatrics
\nAmerican Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
\nAmerican Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
\nAmerican College of Cardiology
\nAmerican College of Emergency Physicians
\nAmerican College of Medical Genetics and Genomics
\nAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
\nAmerican College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
\nAmerican College of Physicians
\nAmerican College of Preventive Medicine
\nAmerican College of Radiology
\nAmerican College of Rheumatology
\nAmerican College of Surgeons
\nAmerican Epilepsy Society
\nAmerican Gastroenterological Association
\nAmerican Geriatrics Society
\nAmerican Medical Informatics Association
\nAmerican Psychiatric Association
\nAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists
\nAmerican Society for Clinical Pathology
\nAmerican Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
\nAmerican Society of Hematology
\nAmerican Society of Nephrology
\nAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology
\nAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine
\nAmerican Thoracic Society
\nAmerican Urological Association
\nAssociation for Clinical Oncology
\nInfectious Diseases Society of America
\nNorth American Spine Society
\nSociety of Critical Care Medicine
\nSociety of Gynecologic Oncology
\nSociety of Hospital Medicine
\nSociety of Interventional Radiology
\nSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
\nSociety of Thoracic Surgeons
\nSociety for Vascular Surgery<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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