Social distancing is a health measure that consists of maintaining a prudent distance between people and temporarily suppressing physical contact, in order to reduce the speed of spread of a virus during an epidemic. It may also involve preventive isolation.
The measure has two implicit purposes. On the one hand, stop the exponential rise of infections. On the other hand, prevent the collapse of the public and private health systems, so that they can respond efficiently during a health crisis.
Social distancing can be voluntary or it can be decreed by the authorities when there is an alarm state, especially when an epidemic turns into a pandemic. For example, the emergence of COVID-19.
Social distancing rules
- Preserve a distance of two meters between person and person.
- Suppress physical contact gestures and greetings such as kisses, hugs and handshakes.
- Avoid group meetings and crowds of people.
- Quarantine, that is, isolating yourself at home for a certain time, either voluntarily, or in obedience to the authorities and experts (sick or not).
- Respect the contingency regulations of public establishments (layouts on the ground, capacity allowed, etc.).
Hygiene’s norm
For social distancing measures to be truly effective, they must be practiced together with hygiene rules or measures . Their function is to contain and eliminate pathogens that cause disease. Namely:
- Wash your hands with soap several times a day, for 30 seconds.
- Covering your face with your elbow or a tissue during episodes of coughing or sneezing. If you use a scarf, discard it and wash your hands immediately.
- Avoid touching your face with your hands.
- Do not share food and drink utensils with anyone.
- Ventilate spaces properly.
- Disinfect the spaces by means of a good cleaning.
- Use face masks or face masks ( especially indicated for people infected or with suppressed immune system). If the mask is disposable, discard it after the first use. If the mask is reusable, wash and disinfect it after each use.
