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Dos and Don'ts While Social Distancing During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic

Team AckoMay 24, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced many new words and phrases into our daily lives. One of the most important is "social distancing," which is essential for slowing down the spread of the virus. It is a public health practice designed to keep the infected people away and restrict them from coming into contact with those who are not infected. It involves avoiding crowded areas or gatherings of more than ten individuals.

COVID-19 is transmitted through droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can survive on surfaces for hours or even days. So, the goal is to minimise the opportunities for the virus to spread from person to person, and that’s where social distancing comes into play.

According to the World Health Organisation, the term "social distancing" should be more accurately referred to as "physical distancing." While physical separation is essential to prevent the spread of disease, social connections can and should continue through virtual means.

It is the physical space between individuals that need to be emphasised rather than the social aspect of distancing.

Read ahead to know crucial Do’s and Don’ts while Social Distancing during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

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Contents

Do’s During the Coronavirus Period:
Don’ts During the Coronavirus Period:
Frequently Asked Questions:

Do’s During the Coronavirus Period:

Here’s a list of points that you must DO while SD during the ongoing pandemic.

1) Do Take Precautions:

Venture outside your home only when it is necessary. For example, to purchase essentials. Stay at a distance from people while buying groceries, wear a mask, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after leaving your house.

2) Do Exercise:

Lockdown restrictions and SD measures should not stop you from staying fit. You might not be able to visit your gym but you can surely perform basic exercises and Yoga asanas in the comfort of your home. If exercising is not your cup of tea, maybe you can spare fifteen minutes of your day for dancing to your favourite music.

3) Do Maintain Household Hygiene:

Sanitize commonly touched areas of the house frequently. For example, clean your doorbell, the knobs, etc. It is the responsibility of every family member to keep the house hygienic.

4) Do Eat Right and Hydrate:

Eating right will help you to maintain your immunity and stay healthy. Eat food items that strengthen your immune system. Ensure a balanced diet. Keep drinking water regularly and stay hydrated.

5) Do Get Sun Exposure:

Staying indoors means you will not be exposed to sunlight and Vitamin D associated with it. If possible, try to get some sun exposure either by standing in your window or by timing your essentials-shopping trip during the ‘Vitamin D hours’ – 11 Am to 2 PM.

6) Do Stay Occupied:

It is important to stay occupied while SD to keep negative thoughts at bay. This becomes even more important if you are not involved in a job that can be done from home. Revisit an old hobby or try to learn something new online.

You can follow Social Distancing and still be able to meet friends and relatives – you can go virtual. Video calls are a great way of staying social during the Coronavirus period. Use technology to stay in touch with the people that matter to you.

8) Do Sleep Well:

With all the stress associated with the pandemic, your body and mind need rest. Sleep is a natural way of getting that daily rest. Ensure you sleep well for seven to eight hours during these tough times so that you are fresh and active to deal with the challenges that lie ahead.

9) Do Obey the Rules:

Comply with the rules and regulations of your residential area. Some residential societies might have crafted rules for the members, for example – not using the public areas, collecting deliveries from the gate, etc. Obey the rules and cooperate.

10) Do Stay Empathetic:

Be empathetic towards people in your family as well to those who are performing their duty such as Police, Doctors, etc. You can also extend your helping hand by making donations to fight the pandemic.

11) Do Find Time to Learn a New Skill

Since you are spending a lot of time at home, you can always upskill yourself. Maybe learn how to crochet or enrol in some free courses online. You can also get back to some of your childhood hobbies, like painting or dancing.

12) Do Check Up on Your Neighbours

Since the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are highly vulnerable to infections, consider reaching out to them from a safe distance. Ask your neighbours, particularly senior citizens, if you can assist with errands like grocery shopping or other tasks to provide support.

13) Do Wash Hands Properly and Disinfect Surfaces

To prevent the spread of germs, it's important to avoid touching your face and wash your hands often. When soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitiser with alcohol. Additionally, clean frequently touched surfaces like shopping cart handles to reduce the risk of infection.

14) Do Be Cautious While Taking Deliveries

When using delivery services, prioritise hygiene to avoid contamination. To minimise contact, have the delivery person place the item somewhere accessible. Opt for well-packaged goods. Disinfect or discard anything potentially contaminated, like packaging materials.

15) Do Learn How to Meditate

Amidst the constant pressures of change in your lifestyle, meditation offers solace. Dedicate a few moments daily to calm your mind, reduce stress, and improve your ability to navigate challenges. Meditation extends beyond stress relief. It enriches your relationships, decision-making, and overall well-being. It fosters peace within yourself and society, promotes physical health, clears mental confusion, enhances creativity, and uplifts your spirit.

Also, read: Coronavirus Helpline Number, India

Don’ts During the Coronavirus Period:

Here’s a list of points that you must NOT DO while SD during the ongoing pandemic.

1) Don’t Step Out Unnecessarily:

From the Prime Minister to your upcoming Instagram Influencer, everyone is urging people to #StayHomeStaySafe. Don’t leave your home’s Lakshmanrekha to go for a walk in the market or meet your friend. There’s a possibility that you might catch the virus and spread it to others.

2) Don’t Let Your Hands Wander:

When you do go out to buy groceries or medicines, don’t let your hands loose. Refrain from touching the railings, the desk, the shelves, etc.

3) Don’t Overdo Binge-watching:

There’s a certain thrill associated with gobbling streaming content on your mobile, tablet, laptop, desktop or television. People proudly share their movie and series marathons on social media where they binge-watch videos, shows, and movies continuously.

Staying indoors might encourage you to extend your binge-watching sessions but don’t overdo it as it can harm your health. Limit your daily screen time.

4) Don’t Have Late Dinners:

Social Distancing, Lockdown, and staying indoors can disrupt the eating cycle. Dining late and then sleeping immediately without allowing the digestive system to actively perform its job can cause health issues. Consider having a gap of a few hours between eating dinner and sleeping.

5) Don’t Resort to Panic Buying:

There’s no point in defying Social Distancing norms and gathering in large numbers at grocery stores and medical shops to stock up essentials. Authorities have assured that there will be an adequate supply of essentials so act accordingly.

6) Don’t Believe in Rumours and Myths:

Rely on authentic sources for news related to the virus. Check the source of the news if you come across something alarming. Do not blindly believe WhatsApp forwards. Half knowledge can be dangerous, avoid believing in myths and depend on information substantiated by medical professionals.

7) Don’t Turn to Alcohol and Smoking:

These can be depressing times but do not turn to drinking, smoking, and drugs to seek solace. These vices can turn venomous leading to a health crisis.

8) Don’t Drown in Dystopia:

Don’t surround yourself with negativity. Avoid watching the news if it gets bothersome. Don’t watch too much dystopian or dark content during the Coronavirus period if it disturbs you. It can add to the prevailing gloomy setting and cause mental issues.

9) Don’t Isolate Your Mind:

Mental health can take a beating during the pandemic. If you need any help regarding mental issues, feel free to contact this Government helpline – 08046110007.

10) Don’t Feel Hopeless:

Don’t lose hope. Humanity will conquer the new Coronavirus and welcome a new dawn. Stay positive, surround yourself with good thoughts, and take care of yourself and your family.

11) Don’t Visit Other People’s Place

Staying at home can be isolating, but it's crucial for protecting other people by reducing the spread of infections. While a small gathering might not seem significant, it poses a risk to your and others' health. Instead, consider hosting a virtual gathering to connect with loved ones and minimise exposure to the virus.

Don’t forget about your pet friends if you feel too lonely at home. Engage in playful activities with your pets. This shared time brings joy to both you and them. During these interactions, your worries naturally disappear, fostering a calm and optimistic mindset.

12) Don’t Skip Medical Appointments

It’s recommended not to visit hospitals or healthcare facilities unless necessary. But it does not mean you have to skip your regular medical checkups. To access healthcare conveniently, consider using online medical appointments. Many doctors now offer video consultations. Contact the doctor's office to schedule a time that works for both of you. Complete the process by making the payment online, which will secure your appointment. Your doctor will connect with you virtually on the scheduled day and time and provide the necessary medical assessment.

Staying outdoors provides ample room to avoid close contact with potential virus carriers. While complete physical separation from household members may be challenging, especially for tasks like caring for young children, it's crucial to minimize risk. Encourage everyone to wash their hands and change clothes upon returning home. In the event of illness, promptly isolate the affected individual and seek medical guidance.

14) Don’t Forget the Power of Following a Daily Routine

Maintaining social distancing from home doesn't necessitate altering your daily routines. Create a schedule by waking up at a regular hour and dedicating time to physical activity. Prioritize healthy eating and make the most of your time. Consider catching up on long-postponed reading. Make an effort to keep your home clean, such as tidying up rooms and washing dishes. You can also take on a creative role in the kitchen by preparing tasty meals.

15) Don’t Avoid Spending Time with Your Children

With children confined at home, it's essential to make the most of this time by dedicating quality attention to them. Establish a daily routine that includes designated hours for academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and games.

Encourage children to assist with household chores, fostering their sense of responsibility and providing them with meaningful engagement. Children will readily cooperate and enjoy contributing to household tasks when you show them affection and attention.

Also, read: Ways To Remain Healthy During Social Distancing

Frequently Asked Questions:

This section deals with commonly asked questions regarding Social Distancing and the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. Note that new information is being shared regularly globally regarding the virus. Visit the World Health Organization’s official website to stay updated about information regarding the virus.

What is the difference between Social Distancing, Quarantine and Lockdown?

SD means ensuring that you maintain a safe distance from people when you meet them. Quarantine usually refers to isolating and restricting the movement of people who are infected or exposed to a disease. Lockdown is a situation where the authorities have enforced severe restrictions on people of a city, state, or a nation.

What is the meaning of ‘flattening the curve’ and how SD can help in achieving the same?

Flattening the curve concerning the COVID-19 virus means reducing the daily number of cases so that the existing health care system can handle the burden. If too many people fall sick at the same time, it will take a toll on the healthcare system leading to a collapse. Social Distancing helps to flatten the curve by ensuring that the virus does not spread exponentially.

Should I follow SD measures even if I am healthy?

Everyone should follow SD norms to stop the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from spreading. If you are healthy and don’t follow SD norms, you are at the risk of being affected by the virus.

What is the best way to follow SD?

The best way to follow SD measures is to avoid stepping out of your home and if you must, then maintain a distance of about six feet from another person.

Is it necessary to wash hands every time after I return home from outside?

Yes, it is a good habit to wash your hands thoroughly with soap every time you return home from the outside. After coming home, head straight to the wash basin and wash your hands without touching anything else in the house.

When should people stop following Social Distancing and get back to leading normal lives?

Just as the World Health Organization came forward and declared that COVID-19 has become a pandemic, there might be some official confirmation regarding relaxing Social Distancing norms in the future. In India, the government will let the people know as and when the situation gets better.There can be a situation where Social Distancing measures might be stringent in some cities and localities even if they are a bit relaxed in some states of the country. Rely on authorized sources for news and updates related to COVID-19.

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References:

Social Distancing Advisory by MOHFW, World Health Organization, https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/SocialDistancingAdvisorybyMOHFW.pdf
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public, World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

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