Physical distancing, not social distancing is mandated

Blame psychology for why many Americans still cannot accept the gravity of the coronavirus pandemic.

• First, foresight is not a particular skill for most of us, experts say.
• And “live free or die” is more than a slogan; it’s an apt description for the mindset of many Americans.
• Finally, it is hard to assess the threat of an enemy you can’t see.

American mindset is another reason it’s so hard to enforce strict public health measures. Americans are independent-minded and don’t willingly sacrifice personal freedom for the sake of the wider society. That’s especially so for people who distrust science, detest government regulations and have never seen a situation like this pandemic with their own eyes.

Image of SARS-CoV-2, virus that causes COVID-19

Social Distancing

With the advent of the pandemic, we have been hearing a lot about “social distancing”, which according to governments and medical authorities mean we should keep at least 6 feet apart from others, as much as possible.

But clearly, it’s about keeping your physical distance at least six feet from others and not about increasing your social distance from family, friends and neighbors.

Governmental authorities screwed the pooch on the phrasing of social distancing. The term “social distancing” is not only a misnomer, it is exactly the opposite of what people should do during the current pandemic.

During a time of great fear and uncertainty, it’s important to stay connected to people that matter most in your life. Whether it be with friends or family, social interaction is important for communities. It keeps us feeling like we’re all a part of something greater than ourselves.

Stay Physically and Socially Active

Staying active can help you stay healthy both physically and emotionally. Take a walk. Take a virtual exercise or dance glass.

Staying socially connected is an important part of our emotional health. Human beings are social animals. Man was not created to be or exist alone. Most people need a certain amount of social interaction every week, or they start to feel isolated and alone. Social interaction can still occur, even as we retire and age. It just needs to occur in a different way when compared the our working years .

And remember, we must keep our physical distance to hinder the virus spread. But, we must stay emotionally and socially connected with our family and friends. Go out of your way to reach out to those who are socially alone and isolated.

We are in this together and awe will overcome this together. As a result, you should keep a physical distance at least 6 feet apart from others, but clearly this has nothing to do keeping socially distant from others. Instead, it’s all about keeping your physical distance from others.

References:

1. https://psychcentral.com/blog/alone-together-why-its-physical-distancing-not-social-distancing/
2. https://www.stripes.com/news/us/the-psychology-behind-why-it-s-hard-for-us-to-accept-a-pandemic-1.628550#