Blue View - Social Distancing Etiquette

Most of us are aware of the new social distancing rules… but don’t always remember to follow them

There isn’t a day that passes that some new revelation about the coronavirus is discovered or a previous one is disproved. Don’t wear masks... do wear masks. Surfaces can host the virus for days... or only 24 hours... just 3 hours... or maybe surfaces don’t carry a significant infection risk at all. The virus doesn’t affect children... or maybe it does. For example, as recently as early March, the CDC and most epidemiologists were informing us that masks did little to prevent the spread of the disease. Just a scant two weeks later, however, they all totally reversed their positions, and advised everyone to wear a mask when in public.

What researchers discovered was that people who were asymptomatic can spread the disease. So someone may not be sneezing or coughing, but their breathing, laughing, singing, or just talking can spread enough of the virus to infect others. Wearing even a cloth mask does give the wearer some measure of protection from others, and, perhaps more importantly, also helps prevent an asymptomatic person from spreading the disease to others. 

A year from now, researchers will undoubtedly know a lot more about Covid-19… how it is transmitted, how long the virus remains infectious, what the true infection rate is and a host of other important facts about the disease. Maybe we’ll discover that only green-eyed people can transmit Covid-19 or that turmeric, kelp or sea urchins are natural preventatives. I doubt it... but who knows. In the meantime, all we can do is listen to what the scientists and experts have learned so far about the virus. For what it’s worth, I truly believe that they are sincere, dedicated people who are working hard to understand this new disease, and not participants in some dark conspiracy.

Given all that, the latest consensus of how best to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is still social distancing, face masks and hand washing. I can’t speak as to whether others are washing their hands, but it’s certainly apparent that there are many of us who are either forgetful of, oblivious to, or in total disregard of the other guidelines. 

This is new to all of us. I think most of us are aware of the rules, but sometimes forget to adhere to them. For example, I know what the one-way arrows on the supermarket floors are for, but, while I’ve had disparaging thoughts about other people going the wrong way on a grocery aisle, I’ve also forgotten on occasion to check the arrows, only to realize I was doing it myself. 

Then there are those of us who are just oblivious to the rules. Despite the number of websites, including the CDC, which have published the suggested guidelines, and the fact  that every newscast since the pandemic became serious stresses the rules, many people still don’t seem to understand what social distancing means. We walk every morning while it’s still cool here in Las Vegas, and I’d say it’s 50-50 as to the number of people who insist on walking two or three abreast when we meet on the narrow path. Social distancing means giving everyone at least six feet... could they not walk single file for the twenty feet or so it takes to pass each other? And wearing a face mask may be effective in reducing the transmission of the virus, but only if it is worn on the face. Leaving the nose uncovered certainly reduces its effectiveness, and wearing in on the chin can’t do anyone any good.

Elephants understand walking single file when meeting on a trail

Some people, however, just don’t get it.

While I’m willing to give many people the benefit of the doubt and just assume they’re forgetful or unaware that they’re not following the rules, there are also those who are choosing to disregard the recommendations. The experts are telling us that the social distancing and mask recommendations are different than, say, deciding whether to wear a bicycle helmet, where your choice only affects your own safety and well-being... ignoring the coronavirus guidelines may very well put others at risk. If I’m wrong by wearing a mask and keeping my distance and a year from now new findings prove you right, if we follow the recommendations in the meantime, the worst that happens is we’ll no longer need to put up with the slight inconvenience of wearing masks, or walking single file on a walkway, sidewalk or supermarket aisle. You can laugh at me and say I overreacted. I’m okay with that. If you’re wrong, however, you could be responsible for someone else’s illness or death. Please be courteous and respectful of other people’s rights. As Dr. Fauci said in a recent interview, that while wearing a mask is not "100% effective," it is a valuable safeguard and shows "respect for another person." The same is true for social distancing.