How Can Social Distancing Reduce the Risk of COVID-19?

As we head into the weekend Lisa reminds us to continue “social distancing” even though classes are over for the week.

Social distancing is a public health measure that is used to reduce spread of a contagious virus. Its aim is to separate infected people and their close contacts from non-infected people, to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Social distancing decreases the “inhalation risk”. COVID-19 is spread through droplets when people cough. The droplets are heavy and fall to the ground (or table/ desk) a few feet from the person who coughs. The risk of inhaling the virus is decreased when people stay at a distance from potentially infected people. Inhalation risk is significantly reduced when people stay one to two meters (three to six feet) apart, but the greater the distance, the better.

Social distancing does not replace hand washing! The virus can also be spread when your hand comes in contact with the virus and you move the virus to your nose or mouth.

SSIS is already using social distancing by:

• Working from home.
• Holding virtual meetings rather than face-to-face.
• Restricting visitors to the campus.
• Canceling group meetings and social functions.

You can maintain social distance by:

• Limiting the number of people you have contact with.
• Maintaining a distance of at least 2 meters from other people.
• Avoiding non-essential trips outside your home.
• Not shaking hands or hugging people outside your family.