Covid-19: What Exactly Is Social Distancing?

As the world battles coronavirus pandemic countries adapt different measures to curb the spread of the contagious disease. Infection control include physical distancing, ban on public gatherings and closure of tertiary institutions.

Others are shut down of airports, land or sea boarders to reduce influx of new cases. More measures are suspension of gathering of more than 20 people, avoid physical contact and encourages the use of face masks in public.

We have community level social distancing, self-isolation, workplace closure and care for vulnerable people in the society.

Social distancing are measures put in place to curtail further spread of a disease. This includes self-isolation, stay at home recommendations, physical distancing and avoidance of gatherings. Self-isolation involves staying at home and avoidance of contact with others. Recommended distance from person to person is 3 - 5 feet.

1. Physical distancing
2. Ban on public gatherings
3. Closure of tertiary institutions.
4. Shut down of airports, boarders
5. Suspension of gathering
6. Avoid physical contact
7. Use of sanitizers
8. Regular hand washing
9. Use of face masks in public
10. Community level social distancing
11. Self-isolation
12. Workplace closure
13. Care for vulnerable people in the society

Most countries have placed a ban on mass gatherings. This includes supermarkets, grocery stores, entertainment centers and sporting activities. Some agency prescribe gathering of less than 20 people who observe social distancing and personal safety rules.

The suspension of gatherings and meetings is another measure in social distancing. The concept involves limiting contact in high incident areas with low or non-transmission locations. It is important to engage with opinion leaders with strong role in communities.

In-order to succeed there is engagement with religious and community leaders to align with the process or directive. Types of gathering that fall under this mandate are religious activities in churches, mosques, other religious worship centers.

Suspended gatherings are not limited to religious activities alone and covers public gathering, music concerts, public shows, political gatherings, social activities in clubs, pubs, restaurants and public markets.

1. Town hall meetings
2. Event centers
3. Public parks
4. Churches
5. Mosques
6. Religious worship centers
7. Public gathering
8. Music concerts
9. Public shows
10. Political gatherings
11. Clubs
12. Pubs
13. Restaurants
14. Public markets

Closure of tertiary institution is another government initiative to fight the pandemic. In past studies of influenza outbreaks prevention of contact in confined spaces or large gatherings in early transmission stage decreases circulation of the pathogen. Therefore compulsory closure of tertiary institutions is just one among many strategies to curb the disease.

Close institutions

• Adult education
• School of nursing
• Universality
• High school
• Colleges
• Nursery school
• Primary school
• Technical colleges

Stay at home recommendations for member of the public is aimed at curtailing the spread of the virus. Home-isolation involves avoidance of close contact, social distancing or mass gathering. The measure decreases pressure on health facilities, reduces community transmission particularly in high risk groups. It also affords the health official proper logistics management and contact tracing.

Workplace closure is identified as part of measures to curb transmission or spread of the virus. To reduce close contact in the workplace the European center of disease control advocate flexible working conditions, shifts or schedules aimed at distancing measure. This is aimed at limiting contact with people in confined workplace environment. Measures include limiting number of workforce, work from home and use of teleconferencing or email.

People who reside in correctional centers, mental health institutions or old peoples home are high–risk group. This is because large number of people live in close contact in confined residency. To prevent spread of the disease, measures include limiting contact between inmates, patients and visitors.

• Long term institutions
• Correctional centers
• Age homes
• Psychiatric institutions

Aged people are considered the most vulnerable of the population. This is especially true with people 55 and above. People with underlining medical conditions like diabetes, cancer, HIV, respiratory problems are high –risk group. T is important for caregiver to observe social distance, avoid close contact and offer assistance with food and medication.

Another health and safety measure recommended is the use of hand sanitizers or hand washing. The type of hand sanitizers prescribed are alcohol based sanitizers. They recommend washing of hand regularly for at least 20 seconds.