More than 150 U.S. medical experts and scientists have signed a letter pressing government leaders to shut down the country and start over to contain the fast-growing COVID-19 pandemic.

“The best thing for the nation is not to reopen as quickly as possible, it’s to save as many lives as possible,” they wrote in the letter, which was sent to the Trump administration, leading Congress members and state governors.

“Right now, we are on a path to lose more than 200,000 American lives by November 1st. Yet, in many states, people can drink in bars, get a haircut, eat inside a restaurant, get a tattoo, get a massage, and do myriad other normal, pleasant, but non-essential activities.”

In recent weeks, the U.S. has been grappling with a surge in new coronavirus cases, which surpassed the grim 4 million mark on Thursday. The virus is responsible for nearly 145,000 deaths.

There are now more than 15.6 million confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide, including at least 636,000 deaths, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University.

The letter contends that the only way to reopen the economy and the country safely is to strictly follow a set of protocols that’s fully backed by health experts.

They include daily testing of anyone who exhibits flu-like symptoms, using a large team of active contact tracers to track all coronavirus cases and making available more personal protective equipment to keep essential workers safe.

Other recommendations include restaurants should only provide takeout service, face masks or coverings should always be mandatory and there should be a ban on interstate travel to limit the contagion’s spread.

“If you don't take these actions, the consequences will be measured in widespread suffering and death,” the letter warned.

According to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about four in ten American adults possess at least one underlying health condition that would place them at heightened risk for severe COVID-19 complications.

Among coronavirus-infected patients who needed hospitalization, the CDC was able to pinpoint within the group certain prevalent chronic health problems, such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes and kidney and cardiovascular diseases.

Data from the World Health Organization shows that half of all coronavirus cases reported so far are from three countries: the U.S., Brazil and India. More recently, Hong Kong, Spain and Melbourne, Australia, are witnessing resurgences.

Ethen Kim Lieser is a Minneapolis-based Science and Tech Editor who has held posts at Google, The Korea Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, AsianWeek and Arirang TV. Follow or contact him on LinkedIn.

Image: Reuters.