German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested that her government's priority is about "slowing its spread."
www.cnbc.com
This is correct, IMHO. There may be a vaccine sooner than we would expect. I know most are saying it will be 12+ months, but there are ways to fast-track approvals and testing.
Regardless, until that happens just figure that most of us are eventually going to get it. This is highly contagious and has an unusual ability to survive on surfaces for quite a long time. Add to the fact that you can be a carrier for days before showing and symptoms and that even if you have symptoms they may be very mild. Most humans just aren't that easy to herd or to convince not to interact. This is going to be everywhere sooner than later.
The problem is that even if only 1% or 2% die, about 10% or so are hit bad enough to need the hospital. We just don't have enough hospital beds and health care workers to handle a spike. The spread needs to slow down enough that people roll in to the hospital over many months, not all in the same couple of weeks.
Mass gatherings need to be stopped and stopped now. Sporting events, concerts, trade shows, etc. Anything were people are traveling to and from to attend. Schools should be shut down soon too but more on regional basis. Spring and summer will help to slow the spread, but we should be acting now to do what we can to spread out the timing of the infections.