How Important is Social Distancing
Is social distancing and quarantine important?
Of course it’s something that’s crossed your mind. Is social distancing important to slowing the spread of coronavirus? If I stay home will it help slow the spread of COVID-19?
Is it OK to have small social gatherings? Like getting together with a friend or two for a drink? Or maybe your grandma’s birthday party?
They are all valid questions. We are social creatures. We are used to interacting with other humans in huge quantities every single day without giving it a second thought.
There hasn’t been a pandemic like COVID-19 in over a century. It makes us all question what to do right now. Can a simple get together of a family dinner with the in-laws be a virtual guarantee to spreading the virus?
Let’s look further and get some solid answers!
The Spreading of Germs
COVID-19 is very easy to spread according to the CDC. The fact that the incubation period for this virus is about 2 weeks makes it ridiculously easy to spread your infection around without even realizing that you are ill.
Most people do not put measures to protect themselves from illness into play on a daily basis. Sure, we all wash our hand after using the bathroom, but do we properly employ the methods we know to reduce the spread of germs on a daily basis?
- Wash your hands for 30 seconds with soap and water.
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
- Wash your hands frequently!! And teach your kids to sing the ABC’s while washing to make sure they do it long enough.
- Stop touching your face. (DO NOT touch your face right now!)
- Clean frequently touched surfaces in your home often!
Look at the vast differences of germs on hands under black light when comparing common hand washing methods. Nothing is really effective without soap, and definitely nothing under a 20 second wash is going to save you from contracting germs on your hands when you itch your nose.
Most people wash for about six seconds on average. Not enough.
photos from IndependantCan a Virus be Easily Spread if You Employ Habits to Avoid it?
So what if you know someone is sick already. And you either choose to or have to interact with them socially. What if you employ all the aforementioned tips to avoid their virus? What are the odds of contracting an illness then?
Sorry to say, when interacting socially it is almost guaranteed you will pick up an ill persons germs. You will definitely be exposed to them if you are not consciously trying to avoid them. And even if you are, there’s a good chance they will spread to you anyways.
That sounds like a terrible claim to make! As a mother in a house of 5 I’ve seen this happen many times! Despite our best efforts, once one kid is sick, they all are sick.
But don’t just take my word for it:
But it has been proven and I’ll prove it to you now!
Enter the Mythbusters! You have probably seen the show. Adam, Jamie and team set out to scientifically prove or forever deny various myths and hearsay.
Five years ago they put together an astoundingly applicable show revealing how far the spread of germs at just a regular dinner party actually is. Watch this short video and you’ll be astounded at the disgusting spread of germs!
RELATED: 11 Amazing Natural Ways to Increase Your Immune System
The Takeaway About Viral Contamination
Pretty astounding how far those germs spread isn’t it? Even the “party guests” trying to avoid the virus were covered in “germs”!
This isn’t meant to scare you at all or create a future germaphobe.
In fact, while we are still learning how COVID-19 spreads, the CDC states that it is most likely through close contact within 6 feet where secretions fly when talking, coughing, or sneezing and it MAY be possible to contract through touching a surface that an ill person has touched.
What this means is through a grocery trip and other essentials when employing all the best practices to avoid illness, there is probably a low likelihood of getting sick. You aren’t hugging people in the store, shaking their hand, or even talking to them! The closest contact you have at all is waiting in line and your checkout.
It is however meant to enlighten you to how important social distancing may be to the spread of a highly contagious virus.
It’s hard. We are used to interacting with friends and family every single day. From school, to shopping, parties, and dinner dates, hitting the bar, going on vacation, heading off to church, soccer games, to tennis matches. When these are part of your daily life cutting them out is hard.
This video reveals how how far germs can spread under social situations. Visiting with family and friends, where we let are guard down, are in close proximity, and touch each other and each others things.
It’s easy to see how employing just a few weeks of staying home can be hugely beneficial and how drastic of a difference social distancing may play in the weeks and months ahead.
More Resources to Help During Coronavirus
- Natural Immune Boosters You’ll Want to Try
- How to Do Homeschool PE While Social Distancing
- How to Bring Extracurricular Activities Home During Quarantine
- How to Workout with Your Kids at Home: A Throughou Guide from Baby Through School Aged
