The average person has a higher chance of contracting COVID-19 than any other illness such as the flu. It’s a scary thought, and with that chance of getting affected, everyone needs to practice safety precautions to keep not only yourself safe but others around you safe as well. The Coronavirus can be spread easily person-to-person with any contact or close proximity.

With the inarguable risk, it’s essential for people to practice social distancing. “Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. To practice social distancing, everyone must stay at least six feet (about two arms’ length) away from other people. 

“You cannot gather in groups and should stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings,” the Centers for Disease Control website states.  

For people to practice social distancing, many states have closed schools, businesses, parks, events and more to avoid any possible infection. 

Social distancing is necessary, and it has helped flatten the curve of the pandemic, with estimations of a drop in the number of confirmed cases in the coming months. Many doctors and experts say that people need to stay home to lessen the cases of COVID-19 to help them and to help others not get affected. 

“It can be really harmful to people with repository issues, autoimmune disorders, kids and the elderly,” Jennifer Bailey, a registered nurse in Columbia Heights, said. “By doing social distancing, it will lessen the number of cases and it will take a lot of weight off of the people in the medical field and the people that are high risk. It spreads so easily that you don’t even know that you can be a carrier of the virus. It shows up within 14 days and you can be spreading the virus in those 14 days before presenting symptoms. It’s to keep people safe and flatten the curve.”  

However, many people don’t think social distancing isn’t enough. Many say to just don’t go outside your home and do everything online so we don’t have any face-to-face contact with those outside our household.

Despite the annoyances involved with practicing social distancing, the effects are undoubtedly good, and in many cases, vital. South Korea is doing the best out of the world right now with regards to the pandemic, and people are being very safe when it comes to going out in public and attending social gatherings. They practice social distancing and wear masks wherever they go and stay home as much as possible. Fewer people are getting affected by the virus as a result. It does work to keep others safe if done correctly and in the proper way. 

Social distancing is just one step to keep everyone safe but it is a step that is very important to keep others uninfected. The virus is far more likely to spread in crowded places, so if enough people don’t practice social distancing, the effects would be unimaginable. Take precautions. Practice social distancing.