Editorial: Helping others in a time of 'social distancing'
The words “social distancing” might seem an oxymoron, two words that when used together appear to contradict the other. Can one be “social” and “distant”? If only comedian and satirist George Carlin were still around.
Yet, that is the term given to a range of hygiene and community practices that are now recommended for us as we confront the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak nationwide and in our own communities. Those recommendations are necessary and must be taken seriously.
They range from the simple, such as frequent hand-washing, to more complex, such as the closure of schools, cancellation of events and the advice to work from home, all of which require a great deal more planning, preparation and adjustment of daily schedules to make work.
But these tasks and sacrifices are imperative if we are to better contain and slow the virus’ spread. For the young and healthy, the risks in contracting the disease are minimal; that isn’t the case for those over 65, those with compromised immune systems or with asthma, heart disease or diabetes. The slower the rate of community transmission of the coronavirus, the better able our hospitals and other medical health facilities will be able to treat those most in need. The trick is to keep the number of patients lower than the supply of hospital beds and ventilators.
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