In the days and weeks ahead, we can expect a staggering number of deaths in the U.S. from the COVID-19 virus. By comparison, in the last two weeks, Italy had 600-900 deaths per day, a number that was near zero in early March 2020. The U.S. is a couple of weeks behind Italy with a population more than five times the size.
Human behavior will determine the severity of the impending crisis. In short, “it is what stands between a bad situation and one that overwhelms the capacity of our health care system,” said IU psychological and brain sciences professor Jonathon Crystal.
To help address the challenges to changing human behavior in ways that reduce the spread of the virus, Crystal is leading of group of behavioral scientists across North America to produce a series of infographics. You can hear Crystal discuss the group's first set of recommendations – to reduce face touching –
The first in the series gives us tips on how to stop touching our faces. Research shows that we touch our faces about 23 times per hour, and this creates a major path for the spread of infection.
You can hear Crystal discuss the group's first set of recommendations – to reduce face touching – in the All Things Cognition podcast.
View the group's infographic to learn more about how we can stop touching our faces.
