Social Distancing Survival Guide

Social distancing essentials including face masks and hand sanitiser

It's no secret that the world is currently in a state of overall anxiety. After all, there are a lot of unknowns and most people are scared to be near crowds along with worrying about the future.

The coronavirus arrived quickly and changed the way we live our lives.

This pandemic threatened to touch a majority of the population unless rapid action was taken to keep it under control. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done.

One key to minimising the spread of covid-19 is through the practice of social distancing.

This article takes a look at the specifics of good social distancing in order to help keep you and your family as safe and healthy as possible. Keep reading to discover insight into best practices that will reduce the odds that you'll come into contact with this extremely contagious and deadly virus.

The Definition of Social Distancing

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines social distancing as “the practice of maintaining a greater than usual physical distance from other people”.

This might be a new and unfamiliar term for most people, and yet it has rapidly become a part of the lexicon for the popular culture. In fact, it's now a term that you likely hear and say dozens of times each day.

It has also become one of the most important factors in reducing the spread of the deadly covid-19 from person to person in Australia and around the world.

I Feel Fine, So Why Should I Stay Home?

When it comes to those who aren't currently experiencing any symptoms of the coronavirus, you might feel tempted to ignore directives to remain at home. This would be a poor decision.

The point of maximising social distancing by staying at home is to reduce the odds of coming into contact with the virus as much possible. This is because there's no way of knowing who has it and who doesn't until everyone has been tested.

When you feel fine, you'll likely become bored and want to go out, engage socially, and in general go on with life as usual. Unfortunately, this will simply put you at risk of exposure.

Remember that boredom is a small price to pay for remaining safe and healthy. The anxiety caused by isolation is normal. After all, humans are social creatures. But the current practice of healthy social distancing is the one sure way we have of slowing the spread of the virus, thus this is a gift that we are able to give each other until worst of the situation has passed.

I Can't Afford to Miss Work

The covid-19 outbreak has already created a massive strain on the economy. Many businesses have shut down, some of them permanently, while others hope to reopen as soon as possible. This obviously impacts millions of workers at every income range.

If you're struggling financially due to missed work, rest assured that you are certainly not alone. This situation hasn't been easy on anyone. Even massive companies are haemorrhaging money on a daily basis, with no end in sight.

Employees across the country are being laid off, across nearly every industry imaginable. Aside from certain essential businesses, workers are being told to stay at home until further notice. This obviously causes a great deal of stress.

Please don't let your financial anxieties cloud your better judgement. Instead, focus on making smart long-term decisions. This includes avoiding your place of employment unless absolutely necessary.

The pain of lost income might hurt in the short run but that's a sacrifice most citizens will have to make in order to protect the greater good.

What Should I Tell My Children?

It's important to be as honest as possible with your children. They will likely hear details about covid-19 on the news and social media, including the spread of inaccurate rumours and gossip.

As a parent, you should attempt to be their primary source of trustworthy information. Be honest with kids without being overly graphic. You are in a unique position to provide comfort and stability within their fragile little worlds.

Explain as much as you can about the covid-19 virus, but avoid sensationalism. After all, they will be frightened enough as it is. Just focus on concrete details so that they will understand how to behave and the steps that need to take to stay healthy.

Should I Avoid Eating at Restaurants?

Everyone is already getting tired of being stuck at home. Eating out, going to the movies, and enjoying other types of social interaction seem like a distant memory at the moment.

But this isn't the time to fall back into old routines simply out of boredom. Safety and health should remain the primary focus of daily life. Thus it's crucial to resist eating at restaurants until further notice.

Should I Cancel Vacation Plans?

When it comes to whether or not to cancel upcoming travel plans, the short answer is "yes".

This is obviously dependent on the time of year you are planning your trip and the state of covid-19 virus by that time. If your trip is still several months out, keep an eye on developments and proceed accordingly. After all, it's possible that international travel could be safe within a few months.

But if your vacation plans are scheduled to begin within a few weeks from now, it's unlikely that you'll be able to proceed as scheduled. This is unfortunate, but it's obviously better to be safe than sorry.

What Does it Mean to Self-Quarantine?

When an individual makes the decision to self-quarantine, it simply means that they remove themselves from contact with all other people. This could mean living in a separate area of their home from their family or living in total isolation for a certain window of time.

The decision to self-quarantine should only be necessary if the individual is certain that they've come into contact with someone who has tested positive for covid-19 or has already begun showing symptoms.

Is it Safe to Spend Time Outdoors?

This mostly depends on the area where you live. For example, if you live in an urban environment with a dense population, medical authorities would discourage you from going outside. On the other hand, those who live away from highly populated areas will have more freedom to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

If you do make the decision to venture outside your home, it's crucial to practice social distancing with others who have made the same choice. Walking down the street and visiting local parks should be fine, but avoid sitting on park benches or touching playground equipment or public restrooms where you might come into contact with the virus.

Is it Safe to Buy Groceries?

You're going to have to eat. Hopefully, you've stockpiled as much food and water before being ordered to stay at home, but your supply won't last forever.

As rations run low, it will likely become necessary to replenish your supplies from time to time. This is especially true if the crisis continues for additional weeks or months. So be prepared to make quick, purposeful trips to the grocery store for food and other important rations.

The key is to make a list of exactly what you need, to limit your time spent in stores, and to only purchase necessities so that others will be able to find what they need as well. Just keep in mind that we are all in this together.

Is it Safe to Let my Kids Play with Their Friends?

The short answer is "no".

Social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak requires making certain personal sacrifices that can be inconvenient and painful. This includes the inability to spend time with friends and family.

Even if your child's best friend lives next door, it's crucial to avoid the risk of spreading covid-19 through seemingly innocent interactions. Instead, try to maintain contact through social media and virtual interactions rather than coming into physical contact with one another.

Ways to Reduce Anxiety

The current outbreak has obviously generated a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety. Thus it's a good time to develop certain personal habits and practices for cultivating peace of mind. These include meditation, soaking in a warm bath, taking long walks whenever possible, and perhaps watching funny movies and TV shows.

Ways to Maintain Social Contact With Family & Friends

Technology has proved to be a true blessing during this challenging time. This includes the ability to talk on the phone, interact on social media, and socialise virtually through the use of computers and mobile devices. Speaking to a loved one through your computer screen might not be the same as giving them a hug, but at least you can see their smiling face while keeping each other safe.

A Guide to Proper Social Distancing

This is certainly one of the most challenging times Australians have ever faced, but we will get through this together. The key to remaining healthy is to stay home as much as possible, and then to practice social distancing any time you venture out into public.