Diary: Living with a pandemic 19 (Wednesday 1 April 2020)

Physical Distancing. . .

. . . involves taking steps to limit the number of people you come into close contact with tht is believed will help to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

There is still, surprisingly, a vary large difference in how this idea is being applied around the world. In many areas, even countries, the idea of keeping one’s distance is a recommendation; in other regions it has become the law. Where we live, Alberta Health Services has set out these guidelines, among others, and apart form mandatory self-isolation:

All Albertans are asked to practice social distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing involves taking steps to limit the number of people you come into close contact with. It can help you reduce your risk of getting sick, and help prevent spreading the virus to others..

This is not the same as self-isolation. You do not need to remain indoors, but you do need to avoid being in close contact with people.

To protect yourself and others:

·         Keep at least 6 feet (the length of a bicycle) from others when going out for groceries, medical trips and other essential needs

·         Limit the number of times you leave your home for errands

·         Try to shop at less busy times

·         Order online to have groceries or other items delivered if possible

·         Go for a walk in your neighborhood or park while maintaining distance from others

·         Avoid overcrowding in elevators or other enclosed spaces

·         Follow Alberta’s recommendations on mass gatherings

·         Wash or sanitize your hands after touching communal surfaces

  

We are, though, restricted from being part of groups larger than 15 people and are “prohibited from attending public recreational facilities and private entertainment facilities, including gyms, swimming pools, arenas, science centres, museums, art galleries, community centres, children’s play centres, casinos, racing entertainment centres, and bingo halls.” There are measures in place to enforce physical distancing under the Provincial Offences Procedures Act.

Initially this was called Social Distancing, but as the crisis has progressed everyone realized that we should not stay away from communicating with friends and relatives. We should just not meet with them in person.

Grocery and other stores that sell necessities, are being required to have hand sanitizer stations. They are also marking arrows on aisles to direct traffic and keep people from having to meet other in the middle of a shelf area. Their checkouts are also marked with positions where people should stand, and many are protecting their cashiers with plexiglass shields. And, of course, as I have written before, most stores now offer times specific to us older people so that we do not have to be in groups of shoppers.

Stores are now again using single-use plastic bags for packing goods. Reusable bags have the potential to retain the virus for more than a day or two and their use is being discouraged. Any potential harm to the environment is taking a back seat to safety.

There is a great website here that shows how physical distancing looks in many countries around the world. It applies to all manner of activities from shopping to schools and libraries to parks, although most jurisdictions have stopped the public from using even open-air attractions like parks and playgrounds.

Physical Distancing is not just a good idea, it is really the best and perhaps only way progress can be made in slowing or stopping the spreading of Covid-19.