U.S. May Be Plateauing In Terms Of Number Of New Coronavirus Cases, But Beware Of The Fat, Long Tail (Update) The purpose of flattening the curve for new coronavirus infections is to decrease and delay the peak demand for healthcare. There appear to be signs the U.S. is flattening the curve. However, soon the nation will be dealing with the fat and long tail of the curve, and this may last for months.