Why Social Distancing is Still Necessary (And How To Do It Properly)
May. 15/2020
"An image demonstrating effective social distancing."
While regulations regarding social distancing are loosening up around the world, that does not mean social distancing will soon be a thing of the past. Most pandemics in recorded history have shown multiple waves of infections, including the Spanish Flu outbreak in 1918 and SARS in 2002. As rules loosen up and person-to-person contact increases again, there will be more chances for COVID-19 to be transmitted between individuals and throughout the community, potentially leading to another outbreak equal in scale to what the world has seen or even larger.
It is still recommended to not go out more than necessary and contact with others should be kept to a minimum where possible. Craig Janes, director of the School of Public Health and Health Systems at the University of Waterloo, emphasized the importance of social and physical distancing in a recent statement, saying: “The physical distancing is really the key thing. It’s collective action that needs to be done, which can be done. Everybody needs to buy into it,” he said. “That’s the best we have.”
For social distancing to have the biggest effect, everyone needs to participate. Slowing down the rate of infections and flattening the curve only happens as long as the total number of interactions drastically declines, and with that in mind, here are some tips for you to practice social distancing on your own.
-Try to stay six feet away from other people as much as possible!
-Avoid busy streets and opt for smaller neighborhood side roads (where you can)
-If you’re going out in public, wear a mask! Masks are not only for your own safety, but for the safety of people around you.
-Avoid gatherings with people outside of your household.
-Stay away from public transportation, such as taxis or rideshares.
-If you’re meeting up with a friend, be careful not to share food such as French fries.
Sources
Public Health Agency of Canada. “Government of Canada.” Canada.ca, Government of Canada, 12 May 2020, www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html.
Gowdy, John. \"Avoiding Self-organized Extinction: Toward a Co-evolutionary Economics of Sustainability.\" International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, vol. 14, no. 1, 2007, pp. 27-36.
Paun, Carmen. “Europe Fears Coronavirus Second Wave.” POLITICO, POLITICO, 14 May 2020, www.politico.eu/article/as-europeans-dream-about-beach-holidays-experts-worry-about-next-virus-wave/.