The World Health Organization has officially opposed the phrase 'social distancing' and now recommends the phrase 'physical distancing'.
The idea is to clarify that quarantine during the current coronavirus outbreak is not about breaking contact with your friends and family, but rather keeping your physical distance without spreading the virus.
The sentiment was echoed by Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressly.
“We are creating a physical distance between us to limit the spread of the virus,” she added. “But we have to do it in the same breath as we maintain our social bonds, a sense of community and a shared sense of purpose.”
Jameel Zaki, a psychology professor at Stanford University, also argued that we should stop using the phrase 'social distancing'.
“I think we should start by rethinking what we are doing now,” Zaki said Thursday. “We need to think of this time as 'physical distance' to emphasize that we can remain socially connected even when we are far apart.”
“Social distancing is vital to slowing the spread of COVID-19, but it also pushes us towards a fundamental need for people to connect with each other,” Zaki added. “Ironically, the same technology we often blame for tearing up our social fabric could be our best chance to keep it together right now.”
Sources: https://www.reuters.com/live-events/coronavirus-6-id2921484. Photo: https://healthcare.utah.edu
