Social distancing can be defined in many ways: a break from school, isolation, a rather unpleasant experience. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines social distancing as “the practice of maintaining a greater than usual physical distance (such as six feet or more) from other people or of avoiding direct contact with people or objects in public places during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection.” Social Distancing is clearly important in today’s pandemic.
We all know the basics: stay six feet apart and avoid gathering in groups and large crowds. We’ve been hearing this for quite some time now. We first heard about social distancing and its guidelines when the coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan, China, in January. Many of us never thought it could affect us, but here we are. It’s May, 2020; the United States’ coronavirus infection rates are soaring, and so is our dissatisfaction with social distancing. We have been hiding in our homes for months, the weather is warming up, and “barbeque season” is only beginning. Why should social distancing hold us back, and why should we care?
In order to answer those questions, healthcare professionals from Manhattan, NY; Westchester, NY; and Mountain Lakes, NJ were interviewed (via Zoom) about social distancing’s significance and relevance to our lives here in ML.
New York City has grabbed global attention by becoming the epicenter of not only the United States’ coronavirus infections but the entire world’s. An NYC physician explained that the city’s “unique population density relative to most of the country places its population at greatest risk, and therefore, the best mode of risk reduction is a strict shelter in place policy.” However, this can only be effective if the lockdown is obeyed and respected. By not obeying the lockdown, not only are people putting themselves at risk, but also their families, neighbors, and communities. If a young, healthy person exposes herself to the virus, it is highly probable that she will expose older, less healthy people, which can prove to be lethal.
Although Mountain Lakes is just a small suburb of the much denser and larger New York City, coronavirus is in Mountain Lakes. Not only is it here, but it has killed numerous residents and infected many others. One ML physician explained that the deaths of our neighbors could have potentially been prevented. He explained that “people should assume that anyone with whom they have come into contact could infect them, and the infection could kill them. Anyone who doesn’t practice social distancing is putting the lives of their entire family in jeopardy.” This may come as a huge shock to some, seeing that on a sunny day in Mountain Lakes large groups can be spotted at the lakes, walking on the Boulevard, or participating in other activities in which they neglect to observe social distancing. This is problematic: some Lakers are risking their lives without reason. While humans were built to interact with one another, making social distancing unnatural, the only way to overcome the virus and regain some level of normalcy is to social distance. By disregarding social distancing, the lockdown will surely be extended and it will take longer to return to normalcy.
Right now, we do not have a vaccine. The only method of prevention that we currently have to combat this virus is social distancing. There is no clear evidence of immunity granted by prior infection or exposure. Social distancing undoubtedly works to prevent and control the spread of the contagion. We, as a student body and community, must act to save lives, and the only way to do so is by social distancing.
To recap, social distancing is more than just a chore. It serves:
- To prevent the spread of the virus, which spreads via respiratory droplets.
- To prevent the spread of the virus to the most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or immunocompromised.
- To reduce the rate of spread and the burden on the healthcare system.
So, the next time you interact with others outside of your household and you say, “well, it’s only a few friends” or “it’s not like I’m vulnerable—I’m young and healthy,” remind yourself of the impact that it will have on others, your family included, and make the right decision: social distance!
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