Social distancing consists in intentionally reducing to the minimum possible proximal physical contact with other people. It is one of the main rules of prevention recommended by the health authorities in order to contain the progression of an epidemics and avoid the infection of people in higher risk. Why is social distancing fundamental in this context of COVID-19 pandemics? Social distancing is crucial to prevent the spreading of contagious diseases such as COVID-19 , that can be disseminated through the contact of droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing and through surfaces contaminated by such droplets. By minimizing the quantity and frequency of proximal contacts with other people, we reduce the probability of being infected and spreading the virus in our community. For whom is social distancing important? Social distancing is important for everyone, but those at higher risk of severe complications caused by COVID-19 should be particularly cautious regarding social distancing. The groups with higher risk of complications are older adults, people with chronic diseases, such as cardiac disease, diabetes and pulmonary diseases, and immunosuppressed patients. What does it mean “to flatten the curve” of the epidemics? What does it have to do with social distancing? “To flatten the curve” of the pandemics refers the attempt to control as much as possible the increase in the number of people infected at the same time. If a sudden and exponential rise in the number of COVID-19 cases occurs at once, the health systems and resources become overloaded and incapable to respond to all situations. Social distancing is one of the measures that contributes the most to achieve the control of the pandemics growth. What to do to put in practise “social distancing”? Avoid people gatherings in general, be it in closed or open spaces. Avoid meetings in public spaces, even when limited to two persons. In principal, if no one has symptoms, there is no problem, but in a situation of epidemics / pandemics it is better to choose other forms of contact, such as phone, video call, etc. In the streets, at the workplace, in commercial spaces and similar, always keep a minimum distance of 1.5 meters to other people. Prefer more spacious stores, where it is possible to maintain a distance of 1.5 meters and try to do the shopping at less crowded hours. The rules concerning the number of persons that can be simultaneously inside a store are intended to observe social distancing; wait in the street for your turn. Do not gather friends or family in your home. Likewise, do not participate in events in their homes. Avoid or reduce to the minimum possible proximal contact with elderly people, who are at higher risk of life in case of infection by COVID-19. Give preference to means of support at a distance, such as the delivery of purchases and medicines, and call them by phone or video call more frequently. If possible, use your own car to go to work. In public transports, try to maintain a safe distance to others and redouble hygiene cautions (if possible, avoid touching handles and doors, do not touch your face with the hands, sneeze and cough into your elbow, and blow your nose with paper tissues which should be thrown away promptly). When you have symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19, how does the rule of “social distancing” apply? If you start feeling symptoms, “social distancing” means social isolation and is an obligatory measure, when the health authorities do not determine hospitalization. In social isolation, you must stay at home and distance yourself from others. And scrupulously follow the orientations provided by the health authorities (if you contact Line SNS 24) or by Luz Saúde professionals (if you contact LUZ 24). If you live alone: Never leave home; Do not receive visitors; You may be in your yard or balcony, but only if authorised by the health professionals that are following-up your clinical situation; Do your shopping online and ask for the purchases to be left at the door, in order to avoid any contact with the delivery person; Keep hygiene rules at home: wash your hands frequently with water and soap; cough and sneeze to paper tissues and throw them in the garbage immediately; Regularly disinfect the surfaces you touch more frequently, such as tables, kitchen benches and door knobs; Increase the ventilation in the house, opening the windows or adjusting the air conditioning; Keep in touch with your relatives and friends, but exclusively by phone or video calls. If you live with your family, besides the general hygiene rules: Keep yourself as much isolated as possible from the other members of the family, preferably in an individual room; Whenever possible, do not use the same bathroom; If you need support, the caretaker should always be the same person; Keep the room door closed and, if possible, a window open; The patient as well as the caretaker should always wear a surgical mask, when in the same space of the house; If a member of the family is over 65 years old or suffers from chronic disease, he should stay in an alternative accommodation. Sources: Cone Health Direção Geral da Saúde Australian Government Department of Health Parsley Health Click here for more information and advice of Hospital da Luz about the novel coronavírus COVID-19 epidemic . The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
