Social Distancing

From the New York Times:

Wondering About Social Distancing?

• Updated March 17, 2020
• What is social distancing?
• It means minimizing contact with people and maintaining a distance of at least six feet between you and others. Avoid public transportation, limit nonessential travel, work from home and skip gatherings. This strategy saved thousands of lives both during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 and in Mexico City during the 2009 flu pandemic.
• I’m young. Can I continue to socialize?
• Please don’t. There is no question that older people and those with underlying health conditions are most vulnerable to the virus, but young people are by no means immune. And there is a greater public health imperative. Even people who show only mild symptoms may pass the virus to many, many others — particularly in the early course of the infection, before they even realize they are sick.
• Can I leave my house?
• It’s O.K. to go outdoors. The point is not to remain indoors, but to avoid being in close contact with others. When you do leave your home, wipe down any surfaces you come into contact with, avoid touching your face and frequently wash your hands.
• Can I go to the supermarket?
• Yes, buy as much as you can at a time to minimize the number of trips, and pick a time when the store is least likely to be crowded. Be aware that any surface inside the store may be contaminated, especially the handle of the cart.
• Can I go out to dinner at a restaurant?
• In general, avoid going out to restaurants. Opt for takeout.
• Can family come to visit?
• That depends. If everyone in the family is young and healthy, then some careful interaction in small groups is probably OK. Eldery relatives and others at risk should stay away, at least for now.
• Can I take my kids to the playground?
• Serious illness from this virus in kids is rare. But kids tend to touch their mouths, noses and faces constantly so parents, especially in higher-risk areas, may want to reconsider trips to high-traffic public areas like the playground. If you do go, playgrounds with few kids are ideal. Take hand sanitizer with you and clean any surfaces with disinfecting wipes before they play.
• How long will we need to practice social distancing?
• That is a big unknown, experts said. A lot will depend on how well the social distancing measures in place work and how much we can slow the pandemic down. But prepare to hunker down for at least a month, and possibly much longer.