Living through Pandemic

Social Distancing - How to Beat Coronavirus?

The novel coronavirus is spreading throughout the world at an unprecedented pace. The main medium of the spread of the virus is through infected droplets from the nose or mouth of an infected person. When a healthy individual touches these droplets, directly or indirectly, and then touches their own face, the virus spreads. According to the census, thousands of people have been affected by COVID-19 in the past month.

Though medical experts are working on finding a vaccine as well as a cure for the novel virus, as responsible citizens of the country and the world, it is our duty to play a part in preventing the spread of the disease. Wearing masks and sanitizing your hands is an important part of prevention, but social distancing is what is going to make a major difference in restricting the virus from spreading.

Preventing Coronavirus by Social Distancing

Social distancing is a modern-day activity that is one of the most potent infection control methods according to the CDC in preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Since COVID-19 spreads through direct or indirect contact with an infected person, it is best to maintain a safe distance from other people such as in public places, mass gatherings, events, religious institutions, etc. Social distancing has also been referred to as partial quarantine since a person avoids contact with the outside world and reduces the spread of the disease by refusing to be part of the chain of contagion.

Here are a few major ways you can practice Social Distancing during a pandemic such as the COVID-19:

• Work from home if possible
• Order any groceries or supplies online and get it delivered.
• Avoid social gatherings, sporting events, and religious gatherings till CDC recommends it is okay to do so again.
• Talk to your loved ones on the phone or video call them instead of meeting them in public
• Order take out instead of going to eating at a restaurant.
• Limit or restrict air and ship travel

Myths about Social Distancing

There has been a lot of panic regarding COVID-19 all over the internet, and a lot of misinformation is being peddled which is, in turn, harming the entire process of preventing the disease. Here are a few myths about social distancing that will help you create a safer environment around you and will keep you safe in such times:

Myth 1 – We need to stop only large gatherings

Whether its large gatherings like sporting events or concerts, or small gatherings like a family get together or a birthday party, we need to avoid all gatherings as a part of social distancing. If one infected person comes in contact with 10 people and infects them in a small gathering, they will turn infect 10, 20, 30 more in other small social gatherings. To effectively stop the spread, big or small social gatherings must stop.

Myth 2 – All human interactions should cease

We need to engage in physical distancing to prevent the virus from spreading. That should not hold us back from calling our friends and family. With the technological advancements available to us not only can we video calls, but we can also do group video calls with family and friends, which is the next best thing to actually being in the same room with them.

Myth 3 – Social distancing has drastic results

Though social distancing is a potent way of fighting the contagion of the disease, it does not produce immediate results. The results of the exercise will be visible slowly. First, the number of positive cases will stop rising exponentially as we strictly follow social distancing. The rise in cases will then slow down gradually and then as more and more people recover the virus will be controlled completely with no more new cases. This can, however, take weeks, sometimes even more.

Myth 4 – Only the affected individuals need to practice social distancing

Since the carriers of the COVID-19 virus can be healthy and asymptomatic for 14 days, everyone should practice social distancing to err on the side of caution. If you are symptomatic, have a cough or fever or shortness of breath you should not just social distance but self-quarantine. Get tested as soon as possible if you think you have any symptoms or have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

Myth 5 – Only touch is responsible for spreading of the novel coronavirus

Coronavirus can be transmitted through droplets expelled during coughing or sneezing, contact with contaminated surfaces and breathing the virus. Staying calm is paramount during any pandemic. Ensuring your mental health is good is as important as taking care of your body. Always remember that social distancing is just a precautionary measure and helps you drastically reduce the chances of catching the virus. 

 

Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.