#» Feed alternate alternate alternate The University of Victoria's independent newspaper * News * Opinions * Features * Culture * Sports | Lifestyle * Humour * Subscribe The difference between “physical” and “social” distancing Lifestyle Sports | Lifestyle April 20, 2020April 20, 2020 [Logo_red_Logo.png] Alec Lazenby And why one should take precedence during COVID-19 Photo sourced via Pixabay Experts are calling for a worldwide transition to using the term “physical distancing” to refer to COVID-19 public safety instructions rather than “social distancing,” which they argue can be misconstrued and a detriment to mental health. Due to the highly infectious nature of COVID-19, instructions have been given around the world to maintain three to six feet of distance from others, practice frequent handwashing, and not to go out of one’s home unless it is absolutely necessary. While these instructions have been relatively consistent worldwide, agreeing on terminology has been anything but easy. While “social distancing” seems to have become the term most favoured by members of the press, government officials, and everyday society, some experts on the impact of terminology are calling for a transition to what they consider a more benign term: “physical distancing.” The World Health Organization (WHO) itself made the transition in their March 20 briefing as they said that they wanted to be clear that their instructions did not require people to distance themselves from friends or family emotionally but rather to keep the mandated three feet apart and use other means of communication such as video chat if possible. The reason the transition is being called for, which was alluded to by the WHO, is that some experts say that telling people to “social distance” can lead to them feeling like they have to cut themselves off from friends and family, which can have an enormous impact on relationships and mental well-being. Making the switch to physical distancing puts the emphasis where it belongs: making sure that you maintain a safe distance from others. People are still being urged to keep in contact with family and friends through the phone or online video chat options such as Skype and Zoom. The difference between the terms was explained by Martin W. Bauer, professor of social psychology and research methodology at the London School of Economics, in an interview with Al Jazeera. “Physical distance is measured in metric metres or centimetres. It is the geographical distance from person A to person B while ‘social distance’ is a measure of distance across social boundaries,” Bauer said. In an interview with the Washington Post, Daniel Aldrich, a professor of political science and public policy at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, said that maintaining social connections during disasters is critically important as research has shown that the stronger social ties a community has the better it is able to weather disasters. He emphasized that disastrous and scary times such as these should be used as opportunities to reach out and support neighbours by, for example, dropping off groceries for the elderly, as well as for those in your community who are sick or quarantined. So when you hear health experts, media, or the government refer to the need to “social” distance, remember that they are simply telling you to maintain physical distance from others and that you should still take time to call up family and friends, help out your neighbours, and get out for walks. Subscribe to the Martlet Subscribe to our newsletter ____________________ ____________________ Subscribe Martlet Donorbox THE MARTLET ON INSTAGRAM Reading the paper on a sunday is such a simple ple Reading the paper on a sunday is such a simple pleasure. 🗞️ Our December issue is out now, with a holiday cover by @siemingly and and a feature on online classes by @lazenbyalec and @mjheeg As always, the Martlet is FREE. There are lots of places to grab one, such as: - one of the two boxes in the SUB - boxes in other buildings on campus, like Clearihue and the library - Hillside Thrifty's - Munro's books - Union Pacific Coffee - a Martlet box on Cook St, outside of Prima Strada - Martlet box on Michigan and Government, beside the Birdcage Confectionery - Martlet box on Fort and Blanshard, by Menbow Ramen Send us a picture if you pick one up ☺️ #uvic #victoriabc From UVIc : "To retain the same number of instruct From UVIc : "To retain the same number of instructional days, the spring term will be three days longer than originally scheduled (Jan. 11 - Apr. 12) and the April exam period will be one day shorter (Apr. 15 - Apr. 27). The final exam schedule will include both Sundays within the exam timetable." Full article at the link in your bio. 🎅 Our local business gift guide is here! 🎅 🎅 Our local business gift guide is here! 🎅 Check out the link in our bio for the full guide, complete with more product details and links to shop. * Not sponsored just trying to spread holiday cheer 🎄 * After 23 years of kicking ass, Logan's Pub has kic After 23 years of kicking ass, Logan's Pub has kicked the bucket. To many of its regulars, the "Tavern of the Damned" wasn't just another local venue — it was a place to be original, authentic, and unique. In tribute and memorial to Logan's, the Martlet talked to three people who knew the venue all too well. Photos for the Martlet, by Tristan Shouldice. Final photo of Logan's is by Sonja Pinto. Bands are Electric Empress and La Chinga. spread the word but don't spread the virus 🙅🏽‍♀️✌️**correction: indoor sports can continue until further plans are developed (MLA Bowinn Ma originally said they could not, and has corrected her information since this post was made) UPDATE Nov 24 - all indoor fitness classes are also suspended. Join Kate and Josh tomorrow for a chat about all t Join Kate and Josh tomorrow for a chat about all things Martlet! 😎 RSVP through Eventbrite at the link in our bio. 🤓 The Martlet, circa November '72. The "Waterga 🤓 The Martlet, circa November '72. The "Watergate Shuffle" is such a bop! Tim Storm repaired and donated over 30 bikes to im Tim Storm repaired and donated over 30 bikes to immigrants since the start of the pandemic. After stuffing his car with a dozen disassembled bikes carefully stacked for maximum efficiency, he drove from his sleepy suburban neighborhood down to Crystal Pool, where he would reassemble the bikes and line them up against a fence. Soon after, families arrived and picked used bikes from Storm’s stock. Storm’s efforts are part of a COVID-19 initiative with the Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria to empower and provide newcomer families a safe way to get around and have fun. “Something that was somebody’s throwaway is now something useful for another person. And all it took was an hour of work,” said Storm, who is no stranger to rescuing bikes — he’s fixed up more than 1 200 in the last two years. Full story by @michaeljohnlo at the link in our bio A blockade in solidarity with Mi'kmaw fishers took A blockade in solidarity with Mi'kmaw fishers took place last Friday and closed a section of the Patricia Bay Highway for an hour. The crowd of over 100 gathered to hear Indigenous elders voice their shared frustration with the ongoing inaction by the federal DFO and RCMP. A Mi'kmaw fishery continues to be terrorized by non-Mi'kmaw commercial fishers in Nova Scotia. Read more at the link in our bio. @TheMartlet Tweets by TheMartlet * News * Opinions * Features * Culture * Sports | Lifestyle * Humour * Subscribe __________________________________________________________________ Courier The Martlet Student Union Building Room B011 University of Victoria 3700 Finnerty Road Victoria, B.C. V8W 5C2 Staff Contacts Editor-in-Chief Kate Korte edit@martlet.ca Business Manager Draven Clemah business@martlet.ca Mailing The Martlet PO BOX 3035 University of Victoria Victoria, B.C. 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