The process of deliberately minimizing direct interaction between persons is social distancing. Social distancing, according to the CDC, implies: Remaining as far as possible out of" congregate settings. Avoiding crowds in mass. Maintain, if possible, a space of around 6 feet from others is known as social distancing.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SOCIAL DISTANCING
1. Why is social distancing important?
For preventing the transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 (coronavirus), social isolation is key. Through coughing , sneezing and close contact, COVID-19 can spread. We and our risk of contracting the virus and spreading it to our loved ones and within our culture by minimizing the amount of near interaction we have with others.
2. Who is social distancing important for?
For all of us, social distance is significant, but those of us at greater risk of serious complications caused by COVID-19 should be extremely careful about social distance. People at high risk of developing complications include:
i. Older grown-ups
ii. People who have severe underlying medical problems , such as heart disease, respiratory disease , and diabetes
3. What is flattering the curve? What does it have to do with social distancing?
Flattening the curve refers to reducing the number of persons at one time that are ill. If there are significant changes all at once in the number of coronavirus incidents, health care services and facilities could likely become exhausted.
Efforts that help discourage COVID-19 from spreading exponentially, such as psychological distancing, help keep as minimal as possible the number of individuals who are ill at one time.
4. When should I practice social distancing?
Before a disease like COVID-19 becomes prevalent in your culture, the best time to initiate social distancing is. The condition of and society is special, so the advice of local authorities, health agencies and health care services is crucial to follow.
Visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website for the current details on COVID-19 programmes in North Carolina. If you are symptom-free and have fair faith that you have not had COVID-19 exposure, the advice below is applicable. Still follow the instructions of local authorities, departments of health, and health care.
VISTING PUBLIC PLACES
5. How can I practice social distancing in the workplace?
Standing about 6 feet between yourself and others, if possible, is important. Other prevention steps such as washing hands, not rubbing your face, coughing into your elbow, and staying home if you feel sick are also necessary to do. Working from home may be an possibility, depending on your career and the condition of your community. Still pursue local advice.
6. How can my child practice social distancing at school or at college?
For the rest of the academic year, many colleges and universities in the United States have cancelled in-person courses and switched to online learning. It 's crucial to obey local guidelines, as the condition of each neighbourhood is special.
Pursuing prevention steps, including remaining around 6 feet away from others, avoiding rubbing your face, washing your hands and coughing into your elbow, is vital for people of all.
7. Should I be concerned about going to the grocery store?
There is a possible possibility of disease transmission in every location where significant groups of people gather. Keep about 6 feet between yourself and others when you enter the grocery store, and use avoidance methods like not rubbing your face and washing your hands. During moments where there are going to be less customers shopping, visit the supermarket if necessary.
8.Should I take public transportation?
Driving yourself, commuting to work or working from home, if you have the alternative, will help minimise the number of people using public transport, which benefits you and the neighbourhood. Under all of these cases, in addition to other protective steps, it is very important to maintain a distinction between oneself and others.
9. Should I stop visiting restaurants and bars?
Restaurants and bars are currently closed until further notice in North Carolina. Still pursue local advice. To discourage infections from spreading, avoiding public areas as far as possible helps. If eating out is a non-essential task, so stopping it is normally in the best interest of you and your loved ones.
10. Can I still go to the gym?
Gyms are officially closed in North Carolina until further notice. Still pursue local advice. Alternatives could involve running or walking around your neighbourhood in your house or yard. When you go to the gym, wash the equipment off and sanitise it, keep yourself and others at a distance, stop contacting other people and exercise other prevention strategies.
11. What about events and places where many people gather, such as concerts, festivals, Sporting events and churches?
In wide numbers of individuals, the probability of disease spread is even greater. Gatherings of over 10 persons are now banned in North Carolina in order to discourage COVID-19 from spreading exponentially. It is normally in the best interests of protecting yourself, your loved ones and the society to stop these sessions. Still pursue local advice.
MEETING WITH OTHERS
12. Should I stop visiting my elderly relatives and friends?
The risk of severe problems caused by COVID-19 is high in older adults. It is important to minimise their exposure as much as possible to those who may be ill or who may be carrying the disease. This is a perfect chance to explore other connecting ways, such as by phone or video chat.
13. What about social distancing with other people in my household?
It is virtually difficult to prevent close interaction within a family, and social distancing focuses mostly on large communities. However, it’s necessary to avoid direct interaction with them as much as is appropriate if someone in your household is ill.
14. Should I stop meeting up with 1 or 2 friends? Should I stop dating?
In certain cases, though meeting with another person who is also symptom-free might be good, bear in mind that the chance of disease transmission in public spaces is greater. It might be a good idea now to explore alternative ways to communicate with others, such as by phone or video chat.
15. Can I have a small group of my extended family and/or friends over to my house?
It’s best to delay these kinds of meetings whenever necessary and search for alternate ways to communicate. It is necessary to avoid non-essential gatherings to prevent the spread of disease.
16. Should my family and friends cancel big gathering events like wedding and birthday parties?
Meetings of over 10 persons are reportedly banned in North Carolina to prevent COVID-19 from spreading exponentially. Still pursue local advice. Although significant events like these are difficult to delay, it is also extremely important to protect our loved ones, particularly our most vulnerable loved ones. It could be better to cancel your plans or change them.
17. If I’m avoiding in-person gathering, how can I stay connected to others?
You can communicate with friends in many ways: phone calls, text messages , emails and video chats are all excellent virtual alternatives. Although physical social isolation is vital for our wellbeing, social contact is also important. A healthy way to take care of your mental health is to try alternative ways to remain linked.
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS
18. How should I approach social distancing if I start to feel sick?
It’s important to stay home and isolate yourself from others if you start to develop symptoms. Always follow the health care services and local government 's guidelines.
19. Can I have visitors while I’m in quarantine?
It should be discouraged as much as possible to get guests. Quarantining is an effective means of preventing your loved ones and the world from picking up the disease; you are at high risk of contracting the disease from travellers.
20. Can I go outside in my yard if I’m in quarantine?
It might be safe, depending on where you live and the situation of your neighbourhood, to go outside and get some fresh air in your yard. Always follow the health care services and local government 's guidelines.
21. What is self-quarantine?
Self-quarantine may be used for people who have been exposed to the latest coronavirus and who are at risk of coming down with COVID-19. Health practitioners say the self-quarantine continues for 14 days.
Two weeks provides them with ample time to know whether or not they are likely to get sick and be infectious to other people. If you have recently returned from travelling to a part of the country or the planet where COVID-19 is spreading fast, or if you have been intentionally exposed to an infectious human, you might be asked to follow self-quarantine.
Self-quarantine entails:
i. Usage of normal grooming and regular hand washing
ii. Not swapping stuff such as towels and utensils
iii. Remaining at home
iv. Not having guests
v. Staying in your home at least 6 feet away from other people
vi. Follow your doctor’s guidance for how to return to your daily life after your quarantine time has finished, if you do not have symptoms.
22. What is isolation?
Isolation is sufficient for persons who are verified to have COVID-19. Isolation is a term for health care that involves having persons that are afflicted with a infectious disease apart from people who are not affected. At home or at a hospital or nursing centre, isolation may take place. To treatment for these patients in health care facilities, special personal safety devices will be used.
DON’T FORGET THE BASICS OF GOOD HYGIENE
i. Clean your hands regularly and properly with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. This removes germs that may be on your paws, like viruses.
ii. Stop scratching your lips, nose and eyes. Hands touch several objects, and viruses can be picked up. Hands will pass the virus to your eyes , nose or mouth if infected. The virus will invade your body from there and kill you.
iii. When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or cloth. Then quickly dispose of the used tissue in a closed bin and wash your face. You shield the individuals around you from viruses that cause colds , flu and COVID-19 by practising proper ‘respiratory hygiene’.
iv. Sometimes, surfaces are washed and disinfected, especially those that are constantly touched, such as door handles, faucets and phone screens.
CONCLUSION
Corona virus is an contagious and dangerous disease. Their symptoms vary from person to person and there is no proper vaccination still in world. We can protect themselves only thorough preventive measures and social distancing. All the basic information about covid-19 known by others is vital.