Social distancing has become the talk of the town ever since the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. You hear it on the news, personalities strongly endorse it via social media, you even see it in memes!
Unfortunately, despite all the publicity surrounding this precautionary measure, there are still instances when this is followed unsuccessfully.
In this article, we will tackle the basics of social distancing as well as the so-called 6-feet rule. Continue reading to learn more about it.
What is social distancing?
Social distancing, also known as “physical distancing”, is the act of maintaining space between yourself and the people around you.
It is recommended that you stay at least 6 feet apart from them. More on that later.
Why should we observe social distancing?
Experts strongly advise social distancing as it prevents the further spread and transmission of the coronavirus.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), a person can instantly catch the virus thru droplets coming from the infected person.
How do you practice social distancing?
When social distancing, keep in mind the following guidelines:
• Stay 6 feet away from people
• Avoid going in groups
• Refrain from attending events with more than 10 people
Social distancing restrains us from attending social gatherings, which is why concerts, events, conferences, etc. are postponed. Going to an occasion with more than 10 attendees has been temporarily banned as well. That’s why establishments and other businesses have suspended their operations for a while.
Why 6 feet?
As mentioned, the disease can be spread through droplets coming from the person with coronavirus. Dr. Hina Talib, Attending Physician at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, said: “Researchers have found that the droplets can hang in there for up to six feet before falling to the ground.”
So, always remember and follow the 6-feet rule!
May I leave the house?
While social distancing? Yes, you may. However, due to current events, you are temporarily prohibited from going outdoors unless you have a quarantine pass or a pretty valid reason like buying food or essentials.
Is social distancing effective?
Yes! Social distancing is effective. Countries like USA and Italy have noticed a decrease in their number of COVID-19 cases when it was imposed. In fact, due to its effectivity, disease researchers from Harvard have claimed that we might need to continuously comply with this measure until 2022 to fully bring an end to the pandemic.