How a social species must adapt to social distancing to survive
19 May, 2020

Our biological imperative compels closeness to propagate and survive. And yet, right now, the inverse applies. Perhaps part of the general resentment at being told to stay home emanates from the innate need to be with people aside from those with whom we live. Our deep-rooted desire for contact when context demands, nay dictates the opposite cannot be our undoing.

It’s an inalienable fact – stay away and stay alive

But for the human race to adopt, and adopt without reservation or condition, a way of life so completely anathema to its essential being, a great deal of education and reinforcement of the main messages is imperative.

Like David Copperfield (Dickens, not the magician), let’s start at the very beginning… with the most basic tips, as advised by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

First: what exactly qualifies as social distancing?

Social distancing, also called ‘physical distancing’, means keeping space between you and other people outside your home.

By using the following fundamental checklist, you can begin to integrate new habits into your everyday interactions with your colleagues, and anyone else with whom you come into contact outside of your home. The checklist seems almost simplistic in its recommendations, which is why it serves as a solid basis off which anyone can learn to (dis)engage with other people.

Checklist: Your social distancing basics

  • Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people
  • Avoid large and small gatherings in private places and public spaces
  • Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings
  • If you need to shop for food or medicine at the grocery store or pharmacy, stay at least 6 feet away from others. Where possible, use delivery services for both medication and groceries, and cover your face with a cloth mask while maintaining 6 feet between you and others.
  • Work from home when possible
  • If possible, avoid using any kind of public transportation, ridesharing service, or taxis
  • If you are a student or parent, talk to your school about options for digital/distance learning

Remember – how you feel on any given day is not a guarantee that you aren’t infected. You could potentially spread the virus before you are aware you are sick, which is why it is critical that you avoid placing yourself in an environment where the potential for infecting a large number of people (or having a greater chance of being infected yourself) is higher.

Because we understand that some may need more help when it comes to changing entrenched habits developed over years of learned social behaviour, we can assist you with advocating the new way of working – and living – through training specifically focused on adopting safety habits focused on minimising and mitigating the risk of COVID-19 infections in the workplace:

  • COVID-19 Employee Induction Training
  • COVID-19 Employer Implementation Training