Introduction
Maintaining social distancing amongst peer pressure, and friends will be one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. The best way to approach it is to have an open and frank discussion about your expectations and the expectations of others, on the need for social distancing to be enforced and maintained.
How to maintain Social Distancing
While we were in the worst phase of the lockdown, little crosses in tape were made at the required distances apart, in front of take- away and other food outlets. This left us in no doubt how far away from each other we had to stand, and we knew what was required of us. Many of us found this quite useful and just stood on the cross as requested. This would probably be useful for students who are used to abiding by the rules.
- Keep 1.5 meters away from one another where possible.
- Avoid physical greetings like shaking hands, hugs and kisses
- Do not handle cash, use a card.
- Try to avoid public transport
- Avoid crowds
When you haven’t seen one another for a long time it is hard not to greet one another in the old way, but if we can get used to it we will manage to do it for a year or two, until hopefully the virus goes away. Some of these measures are here to stay.
In some states we have done extremely well in containing the virus, other places have not been so fortunate and are forced to remain in lockdown.
The other thing to be aware of is Clinically vulnerable people, (grandma and grandpa) who are often in fragile health, We have to stay well in order for them to stay well as we would never forgive ourselves if they caught anything from us.
When your friends apply the pressure to ignore Social Distancing
You can be fined for not social distancing, but it is usually not enforced, and the restrictions have been eased a bit.
- No more than 100 people for non essential indoor gatherings.
- No large outdoor gatherings.
- Restriction in visiting aged people comes to only close relatives.
- No overseas travel, except with special clearance and quarantine at either end of trip.
How is Corona Virus Spread?
The virus is highly infectious and spreads from person to person through close contact, coughing or sneezing through droplet infection. This is why it is a good idea to wear a mask if attending a lecture, just to be safe. Also virus can be spread from touching door nobs and surfaces which should be cleaned at least daily. There is no evidence that the Corona Virus is present in water, so keep washing your hands and keep using the hand sanitizer. If you are going to the Teller machine to withdraw money, take a disposable glove with you as the virus can linger on places that people touch all the time.
Staying in Touch with Friends while Social Distancing
For a while it may be safer to stay in contact with friends on Video Calls, Zoom or Skype, you can talk every day and you won’t miss a thing. This way you are totally safe and it won’t be forever, this is the ultimate in social distancing, until it is safe to meet up again. If you meet up with friends for lunch try to eat outside, as it is much harder for Covid-19 to spread outdoors in fresh air.
Conclusion
You will find with a bit of practice you will become really good at Social Distancing and it won’t be such an effort, but will become part of daily life even though it feels very unnatural at the moment.