What is social distancing and why is it so important?

The coronavirus is an unprecedented global challenge and the situation continues to intensify day by day. In the UK and around the world, we are witnessing infections and deaths from the coronavirus increase rapidly, forcing governments to adopt various strategies and go to extreme measures to try to manage it.

In something that no one has ever experienced before, health officials and world leaders have now employed social distancing rules in a bid to control the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), and ultimately, relieve pressure on health services and protect those who are more severely affected.

UK schools have closed, we have all been told to work from home and avoid contact with others, and the elderly have been advised to stay away from friends and relatives completely until further notice. The WHO has also warned that the choices we make now can be 'the difference between life or death for someone else'. But what does social distancing mean exactly? And who should be doing it?

What is social distancing and who should do it?

The advice is for everyone and is something that we should all be doing, not just the elderly.

Social distancing is the practice of maintaining a greater than usual physical distance between yourself and other people to avoid direct contact. The measures vary slightly from country to country but the current advice in the UK is:

• Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of the coronavirus (Covid-19). Symptoms include a new or continuous cough and/or a high temperature.
• Avoid non-essential travel on public transport, especially during rush hour.
• Work from home where possible. If you have to go out in public, maintain a safe distance from others which is around two metres or more.
• Avoid gatherings with friends and family and use technology such as phones, the internet, and social media to stay in touch.
• Avoid larger gatherings such as weddings and parties, and also smaller gatherings in cinemas, pubs, restaurants, bars, clubs, and theatres.
• Use your phone or online services available to contact your doctor.

These measures have been designed so that you can still go about your essential daily tasks but reduce your chances of contracting the virus.

It is strongly advised that you significantly reduce your face-to-face interactions with friends and family whenever possible if you:

• are 70 or above
• are pregnant
• have an underlying health condition

Why is it so important?

As the coronavirus spreads through respiratory droplets - especially when people sneeze and cough - maintaining a safe distance from one another is ultimately aimed at decreasing transmission.

For groups of people who are at a high risk of becoming severely ill from the coronavirus, this time can be very distressing. These groups are the elderly, people with a suppressed immune system and those with underlying health issues.

Data at this present moment from China and Italy, show that around 80% of deaths were in people aged 60 and over and around 75% died as they had pre-existing health problems. Those with chronic diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, chronic respiratory disease and hypertension (high blood pressure) are also at a higher risk of becoming very ill after infection.

In serious cases, the coronavirus can result in pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and kidney failure which can all lead to death.

This is why right now social distancing is more important than ever. By washing our hands frequently, reducing our social interactions, keeping a safe distance and staying home whenever possible, we can prevent transmission of the coronavirus and protect these high-risk groups.

What is the difference between social distancing and self-isolation?

Self-isolation is slightly different to social distancing. Those who are displaying possible coronavirus symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone who might have, need to self-isolate themselves at home away from others.

It is a more rigid approach and involves:

• Not leaving the house
• Not going to work
• Not travelling
• Not allowing visitors

If you need supplies you should ask others to help you.

In the UK, it is recommended that those who have symptoms need to self-isolate for a minimum of seven days and those who have been in close contact with someone who might have the virus should do so for 14. This 14 day period includes the incubation period and to see if you go on to develop symptoms.

What happens next?

For most of us, what follows this social distancing advice is still unknown. As we are learning more from other countries every day and we see how quickly this virus changes our situation, the advice in the UK will likely become more stringent in the coming weeks. However, for now, the best thing we can do is stay up-to-date with the latest government advice, employ these strict social distancing rules and make sure we all doing our part to fight this virus.