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Am I the only one who would prefer the term "physical distancing". Social distancing seems open for confusion by people. Since when they say "social distancing
by graton 7y ago
Am I the only one who would prefer the term "physical distancing". Social distancing seems open for confusion by people.
Since when they say "social distancing" it seems to mean stay physically distant from each other.
- chrisa 7y agoOne of the doctors on one of the press conferences (sorry, can't remember which one), said that she would prefer the term "physical distancing" as well for the same reason. She said that "social distancing" is a medical technical term that doesn't translate super well to the public.
- PappaPatat 7y ago> She said that "social distancing" is a medical technical term that doesn't translate super well to the public. Which is 100% the opposite of what I in my daily life observe: everyone, young & old, private & work, calls it social distancing. It addresses the issue better too, then the "proposed" physical distancing. When you pass people physically the (need and) possibility to keep that 2 meters is often impossible where as while socialising it very much is.
- Thriptic 7y agoYeah but that's the point. The use of this term makes people think that this is simply about socializing when it is not. The fact that it's hard to stay 6 feet away from someone else in a city while outside is why people should stop going outside unless they absolutely have to. It's not enough to simply stop hanging out with people, and this idea can't be communicated well with this term. Many people I see outside make no attempt at distancing themselves from strangers they are passing or while shopping.
- saiya-jin 7y agoI travel in full bus squeezed tight with other people, but I am not socializing so I should be then fine, right? This kind of double meaning will literally kill people out there. Physical distance is a clear term. Social can and will be understood in many ways. I can imagine somebody thinking if he isn't on facebook on phone, he is distancing socially.
- nikofeyn 7y agoright. everyone is using the term, but nobody is abiding by it. i see tons of people still within close physical distances of each other. or people walking up on you in the supermarket. there is literally nothing confusing about physical distancing. social distancing has a lot of ambiguity.
- markkanof 7y agoIt's also just a disturbing use of language. Human beings are social creatures and derive a ton of benefit from our relationships with other people. If anything we should all be coming together socially to support each other through a difficult time, while trying to maintain an appropriate physical distance from one another.
- raphaelj 7y agoWhile you're correct in the term being wrong, I don't think anybody misinterprets it. Moreover, the recommended 2m/6ft gap makes it clear that we are talking about physical distance, not purely social.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- paulmd 7y agoThat's my secret, Cap... I'm always socially distant.