The global pandemic has given us a whole bunch of new phrases and terminologies. You must have come across words like ‘coronavirus,’ ‘COVID-19’, ‘social-distancing,’ ‘flatten-the-curve,’ ‘pandemic,’ ‘epidemic,’ ‘quarantine’ etc. which have become an integral part of our day-to-day conversations.
One of the regular norms that we follow today is to maintain Social Distancing. The outbreak of COVID 19 has led to a critical emphasis on maintaining Social Distancing. So how does one go about social distancing?
What Is Social Distancing?
Social distancing is a public health practice to prevent the spread of infection among people. It is a way of preventing sick people from coming into contact with healthy people.
Social distancing tells you to stay away from crowded areas or gatherings where more than ten people assemble. The intent is to minimize the transmission of the infection.
Are Social Distancing and Physical Distancing Same?
Health Canada (1) advises social distancing as ways to avoid common greetings, such as handshakes and hugs. We are also limiting contact with people at a higher risk (older adults and people with health conditions) catching the infection. The best way to follow social distancing is by being 2 arm lengths (approx. 2 meters) away from other people.
The World Health Organization believes that social distancing should be termed as physical distancing (2). Socializing doesn’t stop as long as you are virtually connected, and hence it is the physical distance that needs to be maintained and not precisely social distance.
The Virus has known to travel across the world. Hence the medical professionals highly recommend social distancing for your safety. Health experts have reported that the coronavirus can travel at least 3 feet when coughed or sneezed. The lifespan of the virus lasts from hours to days.
According to the CDC (3), the primary goal of social distancing is to reduce the person-to-person spread of infection. Coronavirus spreads through droplets, generally when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The most challenging aspect is you may be the carrier of the virus even before showing any COVID-19 symptoms.
The Do’s of Social Distancing
Stay Home Stay Safe
Staying at home is the best and the easiest way to maintain Social Distancing. Ideally, consider moving out only for necessities such as grocery shopping, doctor visit, or exercising outdoors. Whether you need to report for work or to go to buy groceries, practice social distancing, and wear on a mask.
Maintain Medical Appointments
The unprecedented times have made even the doctor’s clinic inaccessible at all times. To help ease out any anxiety, you may call up the clinic well in advance and book your appointment.
Many doctors have also started giving online consultation through the virtual platform. This becomes easier for older people as they have monthly visits to the clinic.
The iLiveActive pharmacy network is one such portal that will deliver your medication to your doorstep. It also offers customized treatment and prescription drugs based on your health condition.
Visit Pharmacy and the Grocery Stores at Non-Peak Hours
Always practice the 6-foot guideline while you are outdoors and shopping for essentials. The stores have now started marking, using tape on the floor. This helps you to maintain a safe distance, especially while standing at the bill counter.
Go Digital
The schools and colleges have gone online. Digital learning is helping the students to be safe at home and learn. Many offices have offered work from home to their employees.
Most of the people have also switched over to online purchases of groceries and medications. Shops are following contactless delivery to avoid the spread of infection. This can help you stay home while they deliver the goods at your doorstep.
Also, ensure that you follow all the guidelines of sanitization while receiving your packages, to avoid any chances of infection.
Go Outside and Exercise
Physical activity helps improve your overall health. Outdoor physical activity enhances your physical and mental health. You can go out for a walk, run, and ride your bicycle. Just assure that you keep the physical distance from other people. Follow hand hygiene guidelines while using an open gym as the surface you touch might be infected.
Be Smart With Take-Away
The CDC study has found that there is a rather low risk of getting COVID-19 from food items or packaged food (4). So you keep your worry at bay while ordering food from your favorite restaurant.
It is a good practice to follow the basic hygiene when the food is delivered at your doorstep.
Keep Your Distance in an Elevator
Taking the stairway will help you stay fit and adhere to social distancing. In case you need to take the elevator, turn away from the person standing in it.
You may also consider waiting for a while if the elevator has over two or more people.
Stay Connected via Technology
The virtual world has enabled us to stay in touch with friends and family via video chat, text messaging. Most of the companies have made it a rule that coworkers need to engage in team activities. Make it a point to connect with at least one person each day. Having someone to share your work progress and stress can help you to stay motivated in this tough time.
Follow a Hygiene Routine
Washing your hands with soap and water is the best practice that you can follow. In case you are stepping out, carry a hand sanitizer along. While visiting the stores, you can follow hand hygiene by rubbing some hand sanitizer before you go ahead and touch the goods and carts.
The Don’ts of Social Distancing
Don’t Schedule Non-essential Appointments
Avoid your non-essential appointments with hairdressers, salon centers, physical therapy, and massage parlors. If the need arises and you may have to step out, follow social-distancing, and ensure the place you are visiting follows the needed guidelines to keep you safe. Try avoiding the places that fall under the red zone.
Don’t Exercise Elbow-to-Elbow
You may go for a walk or run. But avoid crowded running or walking sidewalks, trails, or tracks. Practice social distancing at all times when you meet people on the go. It is good to exercise with other people by following social distancing norms.
Don’t Have Physical Contact With Non-Family Members
Greetings have also been a way to show your emotions and the care you had for the person at the other end. But these unprecedented times have forced you to refrain from shaking hands, giving hugs and high-fives, patting back, or any physical contact with a non-family member.
Don’t Go to Crowded Areas
The best way to follow is to avoid restaurants, gym, public areas like basketball courts, dance halls, and any other area which comes under contaminated zones. Check your local authorities to make sure if the place you are planning to visit is safe. Avoid crowded areas where people can come in close contact with each other.
Dont Go on Vacation
The stay at home makes you long for a vacation and move around the countryside. But this is not the right time to indulge in any of the trips which involve trains, buses, or airplanes. Even the hotels, resorts, and other staying accommodations have more number of people and you may come in contact with a total stranger.
Don’t Hoard Supplies
A fear that you may run out of your basic commodities like toilet paper, wipes, paper towels, thermometers, masks, and hand sanitizer makes the people rush to the nearby store.
This frenzy behavior results in a crowd gathering at the store, which in turn makes it impossible to practice social distancing.
Don’t Allow Guests Into Your Home
Having guests at home is a pleasure. But during these tough times, it’s better to limit to family members or house help who stay with you.
Don’t Let Your Kids Play in Groups
This is not the right time for play-dates and sleepovers, as you cannot guarantee social distancing and hygiene practices at all times. Remember, it is sometimes OK to tell “no.”
FAQ’s
1. I feel healthy. Why should I stay back at home the whole day?
Many healthy adults find it hard to stay home the whole day. Hence they want to step out and socialize. This can lead to trouble, as many people would be on the streets. When you refrain from moving out, it helps in flattening the curve and hence curb the spread of the virus.
Staying at home to help others be safe can be a hard theory to grasp, primarily when you are feeling fit and healthy.
2. Is it safe to go to parks and playgrounds?
You should avoid visiting places like playgrounds and play structures. These areas are not cleaned and there is a high risk of exposure to the virus in these settings.
It is advisable to go for a bike ride, a hike, and a walk around the block or nearby area. These activities can be carried out during these tough times. A bit of fresh air and getting out of the house might be helpful for most of you.
3. Can you visit your friends or neighbors?
You may limit your contact with people outside your household to adhere to the social distancing norms. Your neighbors and friends should also refrain from meeting you face to face as you stand a chance to come in contact with all the people they have met.
Using digital means to communicate and stay in touch with friends, relatives, and neighbors is important and encouraged. Over time, small dinner parties and playdates are allowed with the utmost care and hygiene.
Bottom Line
You need to have a certain level of social interaction for keeping good mental health. Therefore, with time, different levels of social distancing are followed.
The malls and restaurants are opening up by following the mandatory precautions. This will help the people to move around and socialize in limited numbers. Always check your local authorities about the safe zones, which can help you to visit certain places if needed. But it is always better to stay indoors and wait until things get better.