FIGHT AUTUMNAL FLU WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING OR SELF-ISOLATION?

The peril of catching the flu is never over. Especially not in autumn and following wintertime. To avoid being infected, the WHO recommends social distancing and/or self-isolation for self-defense. Read on to learn about the difference.

THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND

The peril of being infected by COVID or any other type of flu is never over. Especially not in autumn and wintertime. In order to at least slow down the spread of viruses and uphold further infections, respectively, we are encouraged – if not required by law – to stay away from close social contacts. For 2 reasons: not to get infected by others, and not to taint others in case we are already infected by ourselves.  

Doing justice accordingly, there are 2 spatial ways: social distancing and self-isolation.
​

LEARN ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE -  ACCORDING TO WHO & CDC

As far as it is not administrative mandatory but our personal choice, we should know the difference before we decide – with respective consequences.
 
That’s what we want to focus on in following, with reference to the World Health Organization (WHO). Verified also by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
 

Social Distancing
​

Social distancing does not mean physical isolation but keeping physical distance between ourselves and persons not belonging to the same household. In order to cut down the spread of infection during the time of outbreak in your neighborhood.
 
Thereby, the distance should be at least 6 feet (in the U.S.) or at least 2 arm length (approximately 2 meters in Canada), respectively.
 
Breaking down in more detail, social distancing means, inter alia,
 

• Not meeting with family (outside same household) or friends
• Avoid large events such as (music or other) festivals, sports games or theater shows
• Eschew public gatherings at places like shopping malls, parks, restaurants

 
While social distancing is basically appropriate to ward off the flu virus,

​Self-isolation

​is right if having been infected with COVID-19 or any other type of flu with symptoms such as fever, cough, difficult breathing. To avoid passing on the virus.
 
Thereby, self-isolation means, inter alia,
     *    Don’t leave your home for at least one week unless you have a medical appointment  

• For medical appointment, don’t use public transport
• However, you don’t need medical specialist for basic COVID-19 symptoms such as raised temperature, a new and continuous cough and shortness of breath   
• Don’t welcome any visitors
• If you live in a shared household, try to stay in different rooms
• Keep home deliveries in front of your door

 
Inside your home,
     *    your living space should be well-ventilated and also have an opening window

• have bathrooms and toilets cleaned even more regularly
• wash dishes and cutlery intensively
• use different towels than your housemate/s (no roommate/s!) ​​

​IN A NUTSHELL

To avoid being infected with or passing on COVID-19 or any other flu type if you are already struck with, World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are recommending 2 ways of (self-)treatment: social distancing and self-isolation. Shaped differently, as indicated in this blog.     

ADAGE OF THE WEEK

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
 
Benjamin Franklin
(1706-1790)
Scientist
&
Founding Father of the United States