Magazine More Worldwide South Pacific Australia Sydney Physical distancing: what is it and how do you do it? Heads up! We’re working hard to be accurate – but these are unusual times, so please always check before heading out. Social distancing in COVID-19 pandemic Social distancing in COVID-19 pandemic Photograph: Creative Commons/Mitch Moore Physical distancing: what is it and how do you do it? Our top tips and tricks on how to master physical distancing without losing your mind By Divya Venkataraman Posted: Monday March 23 2020 -- global pandemic has prompted strict measures and restrictions to everyday life in order to slow its spread. As of March 15, the Australian government has recommended that we practice ‘social distancing’ nationwide, a move which has been highly effective in places like Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong, places which have since seen a slowdown in new cases. We've decided to shift the language and call it 'physical distancing' – because physical separation doesn't mean social isolation. As our cities move towards lockdown, it’s only natural to want to reach -- the general chaos of the news cycle by going out. But we can't. Suddenly, simple gestures are complex to navigate. So we’ve pulled together a list of tips and tricks to help you physically distance successfully (without absolutely losing it). Here’s the rundown so you don’t get run down. -- What is it? Physical distancing, also known as social distancing, is just creating distance between yourself and other people as a measure to slow the spread of an infectious disease. This is important because COVID-19 -- coughed on. Why should we physically distance? Minimising contact with others will spread out the time over which the virus moves through the population. That’s not to say it’s a 100 per cent guarantee you won’t get sick. However, our health system will be overwhelmed if everyone gets ill all at once, and physical distancing ensures that our hospitals and staff can better cope and save more lives ('flattening the curve'). -- Even if you’re not worried about the effect the virus will have on you should you contract it, physical distancing is a community-conscious measure. It reduces the risk that you’ll pass it on to the most vulnerable among us – in the case of COVID-19, that's the elderly or anyone who has underlying health or immunity problems. Is physical distancing the same as self-isolation? These terms have been thrown around a lot willy-nilly in recent days, so a lot of confusion has arisen. Self-isolation is a lot stricter than physical distancing, but you only need to practice it under certain circumstances, like if you’re unwell or have been overseas recently. Find out the guidance around that here. For everyone else, we’ve stacked up a list of the ‘do’s and ‘don’t’s of physical distancing to help you get through the coming weeks. DO -- Manage your boredom Humans are social beings, and one of the biggest challenges reported by those in quarantine has been boredom. Keep your brain occupied by going back to the things you love, but never seem to have time to do. Write -- Go for a walk Physical distancing requires you to stay away from large groups of people, but if you feel the need to stretch your legs, go for a quiet wander in Sydney’s loveliest green spaces. Just remember, this is best -- Worry too much – it’s not forever It’s hard to say how long we’ll be physically distancing, but this is a crucial time to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia. The more effectively we fight this virus together, the quicker we can get back -- as a community. Give up on socialising We’ll all have to come up with creative ways of maintaining our social connections, but technology has made that more possible than ever. FaceTime your friends, check in on family, and make sure that you stay connected to people you love via phone, video-calls, social media, and most importantly, sharing memes.