Nebraska and Iowa are likely a few weeks from the peak of the Coronavirus, which means the numbers of COVID-19 cases will rise through the month of April.
Until the peak hits, Dr. Mark Rupp, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Nebraska Medicine, says it's important that we stay inside as much as possible to prevent the spread of the virus.
"It's just critically important that people comply with the social distancing recommendations, and if they do that we are confident that we will blunt this curve, and that we will be able to sustain the crest and we'll be okay," Dr. Rupp told WOWT-TV 6.
He also says now is the time to prepare your home if a family member tests positive and has to self-quarantine. Rupp suggests stocking up on plenty of household cleaning supplies.
"People who are sick shed the virus into the environment that then can contaminate surfaces, so people need to be ready to clean those surfaces."
He's talking about high touch surfaces, like tables, bed rails, and bathroom counters. Rupp says healthy family members need to plan how they would keep a safe distance from the infected family member.
"If they have the luxury of having a separate bedroom and bathroom that these infected people can stay in and try to separate themselves from the rest of the family - that would be the best situation," Rupp tells WOWT-TV 6.
If that's not possible, he encourages as much spacial separation as possible inside the home, and urges the sick family member to wear a mask as much as possible.
"It will help to some degree to catch those respiratory droplets that we know spread this virus." He also encourages you to stock up now on groceries, medications, and supplies so you're able to shelter in place as long as possible.
"Everybody hunker down, let's get through the next 3 weeks and I think we're gonna be fine."