COVID - 19 and Rural Health Care: Editorial

Abstract

Fahs reflects on the potential impact of COVID-19 pandemic on rural health resources in the US. During times of public health or natural disasters people who have the resources have historically fled cities to more rural locations. With this highly contagious COVID -19 virus, rural area health resources may soon be stretched to the limit. Meit, Kennedy, and Briggs wrote about the potential rural population surge during a future pandemic scenario and the problems the burdens this could cause in rural health care systems. Those passing through rural areas may unknowingly spread a virus if the stop for fuel, food or temporary lodging. Survey data estimated that about 25% of an urban population may evacuate the more urban areas during a pandemic, even when the government is asking them to shelter in place. The potential for urban evacuation is more likely without any government recommendation.