The importance of social distancing to avoid COVID-19
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads through every corner of the world, authorities have taken steps to ensure that people have appropriate social distancing, as a measure to delay the rate of contagion and lower the curve. The main goal of implementing social distancing is to ensure that the capacity of the health system is sufficient to meet patient demand in the longer term and save more lives.
Social distancing vs. quarantine
Before isolating yourself from the outside world, it is important to know that social distancing is different from quarantine. In the case of coronavirus, a 14-day quarantine is recommended for those who have been exposed to the virus. If symptoms are not present after the 14-day quarantine has ended, a doctor can confirm whether it is appropriate for that person to resume their daily activities.
Unlike the two previous practices that seek to prevent; Isolation is the practice of restraining the virus in patients who have been confirmed to be carriers. Restricting the free movement of infected patients prevents transmission because it nullifies physical interaction.
Top reasons that social distancing is Key to avoid this virus?
Social distancing aims to slow the spread of the coronavirus, as it creates an imaginary perimeter of security and provides more physical space for people who are forced to interact in a society. In addition to concerts, amusement parks, conferences, and similar events (which we all know draw crowds of people), individuals must adapt their habits to ensure that they are properly practicing social distancing.
It is best to stay home, except to supply basic needs. If you live in a sparsely populated area, exercising yourself alone should not pose a significant risk to your health. To minimize the risks associated with commuting to work using public transportation, try not to travel during peak hours: this will also help social distancing.
How to care for older adults in social distancing?
Since older adults are a particularly vulnerable population group, caring for them requires adopting strict social distancing measures. Rather than visit or organize family gatherings, one way to care for your parents or grandparents is to help them continue their “social” lives by providing digital devices for them to communicate with loved ones.
Offer to help them with food and grocery shopping, and remind them to disinfect every product that comes into your home. This will help decrease exposure to the virus.
Social distance and children
Even if they are not seriously ill, children are at risk of becoming agents of disease transmission because they tend to have a higher rate of close person-to-person contact with many different age groups. As more schools change their methodology toward online teaching, parents of young children will feel that social distancing is more difficult to cope with.
Because children are playful by nature, they may need to overcome more emotional obstacles as they adjust to an indoor lifestyle. A good option is to allow play only in the backyard, as viruses are less likely to survive outdoors. Natural actins like raining and UV radiation coming from the sun compromise the life of germs and bacteria.
