As you read articles and hear statistics about the number of cases in California, you should understand that we have NO IDEA of the actual number of cases to date because of the lack of testing in our state (and across most of the U.S.). Until there is widespread testing, many cases will have gone uncounted and we will have no idea of the true incidence (and spread rate) of the disease. Further, it will take some time until we have an idea of the relationship between numbers of cases and numbers of deaths experienced in our population. We can, however, benefit from the experience of other countries that were affected earlier.
“It is believed nations like the US, England, France, Spain and Germany are about 9-10 days behind Italy in the COVID19 progression. We asked people from all around Italy to record a message to the themselves of 10 days prior.”