The term “social distance” has been all over the news lately, but what exactly does it imply? Staying a certain distance apart from other people, also known as social distancing or physical distancing, can help prevent infections from spreading. Health professionals and national governments establish the exact distance, and social distancing is a suggested medical treatment to assist “flatten the curve,” or reduce the number of COVID-19 cases around the world. Take a few minutes to study how to social distance and why it’s so crucial to help stop COVID-19 in the face of all the disinformation on the internet. If you need help explaining social distancing to children, the material below will assist you in doing so.
Method 1: The Fundamentals of Social Distancing
1. It’s important to note that “physical separation” can equally relate to “social distancing.” The terms “social separation” and “physical distancing” are frequently employed. Despite the fact that these concepts are interchangeable, the World Health Organization (WHO) prefers the term “physical distance” to “social distancing.” The major goal of this practise is to stay isolated in order to reduce your chances of spreading or contracting COVID-19. Even if it’s only over a video chat, it’s still crucial to be active and connected with your loved ones for your mental health.
2. Stay at least 6 feet (1.8 metres) away from other persons, or the distance advised by your government. COVID-19 is transferred via droplets, such as sneezes or coughs, as well as germ-infested surfaces, which are common in public places. Physical separation is critical because these droplets can travel a great distance through the air. Try to leave a lot of distance between yourself and the individuals around you.
• Consult your government for the most up-to-date information on how far to keep your distance from others.
• In the United States, a distance of 6 feet (1.8 metres) is recommended. Two golden retrievers standing back-to-back, a sedan, a dining room table, or a long sofa are all approximately 6 feet tall (1.8 m). Assume that one of these things is between you and the people around you.
3. When you’re out in public, wear a face mask. COVID-19 is spread primarily through coughs and sneezes, so it’s important to keep your mouth and nose covered when going outside. When you’re out and about, both medical masks and fabric coverings can provide adequate protection and prevent your germs from spreading to others.
• Always double-check that your mask covers both your nose and mouth; otherwise, it will be ineffective.
4. Attend no parties or large gatherings. It’s totally acceptable and natural to miss the companionship of others while you’re socially isolated. Unfortunately, partygoers are not adhering to normal social distancing norms, and there are several opportunities for germs to spread when a large group of people is present. When you’re in need of some social interaction, opt for video chats or phone calls instead.
• Always adhere to the COVID-19 limits in effect in your area, such as the maximum number of individuals permitted at a social gathering.
5. Keep away from congested locations. Going out in public is unavoidable, especially if you need to get groceries or other essentials. If you decide to enter a public location, make sure they use safe social distancing techniques so you can stay secure while you’re there.
• As a general rule, avoid most public locations unless absolutely necessary.
• Wipe clean any surfaces that may have been touched by others, and use contactless payment alternatives whenever possible.
6. Instead of visiting, call or video chat with loved ones. Make contact with a friend or family member to ask if they want to catch up or chat. If a phone conversation isn’t cutting it, see if they’d like to video chat instead. While virtual hangouts can’t replace in-person social meetings, they can help you stay connected.
• For example, utilising “party” applications on popular streaming sites, you can watch movies with others.
• You may play multiplayer games with other people by downloading them.
7. Instead of going to your regular office, work from home. Social distancing isn’t only for supermarket runs; it’s something you should incorporate into every facet of your life. If possible, talk to your bosses about working from home so you don’t have to worry about spreading diseases to your coworkers.
8. Instead of going out to dine, order delivery. COVID-19 is draining on both an emotional and a mental level, and there’s no reason for you to cook every day. It’s fantastic to support your neighbourhood eateries, but make sure you do it safely by ordering delivery from the restaurant or a third-party delivery service.
• Delivery drivers go to great lengths to maintain a clean environment.
Method 2: Teaching Children About Social Distancing
1. Read to your children informative children’s books. Look for bite-sized, instructional messages about the significance of social separation in children’s books and movies on the internet. This is an excellent method to introduce the subject to children without making it sound intimidating.
• For example, “Time to Come In, Bear” is a fantastic children’s book that you may read to your own children.
• Simple analogies can also be used to emphasise a point. Remind your children that social distancing is akin to pulling over or standing back when an ambulance or fire engine passes by. While it may be uncomfortable, social separation is an effective approach to keep others safe.
2. Make social separation a game for very young children. Tell your young children that they are superheroes who can “rescue” the world by staying away from the people around them. Encourage your kids to try to avoid or dodge anyone they see on the street. Offer points and awards for your child’s actions to make the game more engaging.
• For example, you can offer your child a “point” for sneezing into their elbow or sprinting across the street to avoid someone. They can get a modest prize once they have accumulated 10 points.
3. Show your children videos that explain social distancing in a kid-friendly manner. There are numerous videos on the internet that explain what social distancing is to younger viewers. Fun films can help your children connect with the issue by making it less intimidating.
• For example, Sesame Street and CNN teamed up to make an entertaining, educational video on COVID-19. http://www.cnn.com/2020/06/13/app-news-section/cnn-sesame-street-abcs-of-covid-19-town-hall-june-13-2020-app/index.html
• This is an excellent choice for both preschoolers and elementary school students.
4. Turning face masks into something enjoyable will engage younger children. Invest in some colourful cloth masks that your children would enjoy wearing. This might make your kids look forward to keeping safe when they’re outside.
• You can obtain a mask that looks like a dinosaur or one that makes your youngster look like a cat, for example.
• Masks in a variety of colourful colours and patterns may also appeal to your children.
5. Explain social distancing to older children in greater detail. Your elementary school pupils are unlikely to be interested in games and stories that explain the fundamentals of social separation. Explain how COVID-19 spreads easily and how social separation helps to “flatten the curve” of how many people develop the sickness without delving into too much detail. Showing them a graph or other visual that explains why social separation is crucial may be helpful.
• For example, you could remark, “COVID-19 is similar to a cold in that it spreads easily from person to person.” When we separate ourselves from other individuals and preserve our distance, we reduce our chances of getting sick and spreading the virus to others.”