What is social distancing?
Social distancing is a set of actions taken to stop or slow the spread of a highly contagious disease. COVID-19 has been given the R0 value of above 1.4. This means that it is more contagious than your typical flu and can spread beyond just one person. As you know the flu can be spread from just a single social interaction with someone who has it, so for a virus that is more contagious there has to be some kind of safety measures to prevent the spread.
How does social distancing help?
Social distancing means staying at least 2 meters (6 ft.) away from others. It includes:
-Limiting large groups of people coming together
-Closing buildings
-Cancelling events
We do things like these to slow the spread of this virus and protect people who are at high risk for serious infection. If we practice correct social distancing, we limit the number of people who are sick at one time. That will make it possible for healthcare workers to care for those who are ill.
How can you practice social distancing?
It’s important to limit your contact with others, but you can still leave your home, if you need to. If you decide to go out, stay 2 meters (6 ft.) away from others and wash your hands often. With that in mind if you have the availability to remain home, please do! Not only will you ensure that essential workers remain healthy, but you would be preventing this virus from getting furthermore out of hand.
Things you can do at home:
Do a little something for yourself, like:
-Work out at home
-Read a good book
-Listen to music
-Clean your home/bedroom
-Cook a meal or bake
-Watch YouTube or stream a favorite show
-Arts & crafts
-Nap
-Study or do homework
-Order takeout
Connect with others:
-Check on friends and family members with a text, call, or social media
-Check on elderly neighbors over phone, email or social media
-Share memes and gifs
-Play video games
-Group video chats
What are other ways to limit the spread of COVID-19?
Other public health measures could include isolation and quarantine. According to the CDC's latest guidance:
Isolation refers to the separation of a person or people known or reasonably believed to be infected or contagious from those who are not infected in order to prevent spread of the disease. Isolation may be voluntary or compelled by governmental or public health authorities. Quarantine in general means the separation of a person or people reasonably believed to have been exposed to a communicable disease but not yet symptomatic from others who have not been so exposed in order to prevent the possible spread of the disease. With COVID-19, the CDC has recommended a 14-day period to monitor for symptoms.
Thank you, I hope you stay safe and practice correct social distancing so we can return to a degree of normal everyday life.
Sincerely,
Nicole Coca :)
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