Ways to Be Safe When Social Distancing Is Not an Option

What is social distancing? We've heard about it non-stop for the past few months, but some people still struggle to grasp the true concept of the initiative. The goal of social distancing is to increase your awareness of how viruses like COVID-19 spread. 

Social distancing means avoiding large groups of people, trying to stay six feet apart from others while in public, and using preventative measures like wearing a mask and washing your hands. 

Staying six feet apart isn't always an option, but neither is avoiding some situations altogether. The question is, what do you do in these scenarios? 

Keep reading to find out.

1. Wear a Mask 

Somehow, wearing a mask has become more about political leanings than health and safety. While wearing a mask won't necessarily prevent you from getting COVID-19 or any other virus, it's important for preventing the spread of the disease. 

The problem is, many people carry viruses that have yet to show any signs or symptoms. Wearing a mask, however, prevents them from spreading contagious droplets to others. 

2. Avoid Physical Contact With Others

Just because you can't stay six feet apart, it doesn't mean you can't still incorporate social distancing during your time in public. One of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is by avoiding physical contact with other people. 

Even when meeting friends and family members, it may be best to avoid handshakes, hugs, and other forms of contact. While social isolation has negative effects as well, imagine if one of those people had the virus and gave it to you. Then, you bring it to your place of work and infect your co-workers who subsequently infect their families.

3. Avoid Touching Your Face

When out in public, it's only natural that you're going to come in contact with common objects like railings, doorknobs, carts, products, and other items that other people have touched. If you choose, you can opt to wear disposable plastic, latex, or rubber gloves. 

Regardless of if you wear gloves or not, you must avoid touching your face. Gloves typically feel foreign to us and help us think twice before touching other areas of our body. If you don't wear gloves, however, make sure you wash or sanitize your hands before touching your face.

4. Wash or Sanitize Your Hands

The CDC social distancing guidelines encourage people to wash or sanitize their hands regularly. They suggest washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after being out in public or sneezing/coughing into your hands. 

You should also wash your hands before eating, coming in contact with other people, touching your phone, handling your mask, using the restroom, etc. This can help prevent you from contracting the virus or spreading it unintentionally to others. 

Want More Social Distancing Tips and Other Health Advice

These are unique times, but they're not unprecedented. We've been through things like this before, and we will come out on the other side. In the meantime, do your best to keep yourself and others safe. 

When you can't stay six feet apart, try to maintain other social distancing practices. And if you're looking for more information or article about mobility solutions, be sure to check out some of our other articles before you go.

We also offer mobility solutions for people with disabilities. Social distancing can make it difficult to get the help you need. We try to make your life a little easier.