By Lynn Allison From Newsmax

A new study says stopping the spread of the coronavirus could be as easy as 1-2-3.

One, wash your hands regularly; two, wear a mask; and three, keep your distance from others.

If more than half of people practiced these three simple behaviors, we could prevent large epidemics, according to the report. Researchers from the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands published their finding in the journal PLoS Medicine.

According to CNN, the researchers said these self-imposed measures could drastically reduce a peak in cases of the coronavirus, where government imposed measures such as shutting down economies would only delay the peak.

“The effect of combinations of self-imposed measures is additive,” said the researchers, according to CNN. “In practical terms, it means that SARS-CoV-2 will not cause a large outbreak where 90% of the population adopts handwashing and social distancing that are 25% efficacious.”

American health officials agree. Adm. Brett Giroir, who is the assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human services, told ABC’s “This Week” that “we have to have people wearing a mask in public. It’s absolutely essential.”

Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said nationwide use of face masks could end the pandemic in for to six weeks.

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