TY - JOUR
T1 - ‘Distant socializing,’ not ‘social distancing’ as a public health strategy for COVID-19
AU - Pandi-Perumal, Seithikurippu R.
AU - Vaccarino, Sophie R.
AU - Chattu, Vijay Kumar
AU - Zaki, Nevin F.W.
AU - BaHammam, Ahmed S.
AU - Manzar, Dilshad
AU - Maestroni, G. J.M.
AU - Suchecki, Deborah
AU - Moscovitch, Adam
AU - Zizi, Ferdinand
AU - Jean-Louis, Girardin
AU - Narasimhan, Meera
AU - Ramasubramanian, Chellamuthu
AU - Trakht, Ilya
AU - Seeman, Mary V.
AU - Shneerson, John M.
AU - Maes, Michael
AU - Reiter, Russel J.
AU - Kennedy, Sidney H.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Social distancing, also referred to as physical distancing, means creating a safe distance of at least two meters (six feet) between yourself and others. This is a term popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it is one of the most important measures to prevent the spread of this virus. However, the term ‘social distancing’ can be misleading, as it may imply that individuals should stop socializing. However, socializing in a safe context (i.e. over the phone, video-chat, etc.) is especially important during this time of crisis. Therefore, in this narrative review, we suggest the term ‘distant socializing’ as more apt expression, to promote physical distancing measures while also highlighting the importance of maintaining social bonds. Further, articles discussing the practice, implementation, measurement, and mental health effects of physical distancing are reviewed. Physical distancing is associated with psychiatric symptoms (such as anxiety and depression), suicidal ideation, and domestic violence. Further, unemployment and job insecurity have significantly increased during COVID-19, which may exacerbate these negative mental health effects. Governments, medical institutions, and public health bodies should therefore consider increasing mental health resources both during and after the pandemic, with a specific focus on frontline workers, COVID-19 survivors, and marginalized communities.
AB - Social distancing, also referred to as physical distancing, means creating a safe distance of at least two meters (six feet) between yourself and others. This is a term popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it is one of the most important measures to prevent the spread of this virus. However, the term ‘social distancing’ can be misleading, as it may imply that individuals should stop socializing. However, socializing in a safe context (i.e. over the phone, video-chat, etc.) is especially important during this time of crisis. Therefore, in this narrative review, we suggest the term ‘distant socializing’ as more apt expression, to promote physical distancing measures while also highlighting the importance of maintaining social bonds. Further, articles discussing the practice, implementation, measurement, and mental health effects of physical distancing are reviewed. Physical distancing is associated with psychiatric symptoms (such as anxiety and depression), suicidal ideation, and domestic violence. Further, unemployment and job insecurity have significantly increased during COVID-19, which may exacerbate these negative mental health effects. Governments, medical institutions, and public health bodies should therefore consider increasing mental health resources both during and after the pandemic, with a specific focus on frontline workers, COVID-19 survivors, and marginalized communities.
KW - COVID-19
KW - distant socializing
KW - infectious diseases
KW - mental health
KW - physical distancing
KW - public health
KW - social distancing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85107389306&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85107389306&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/20477724.2021.1930713
DO - 10.1080/20477724.2021.1930713
M3 - Article
C2 - 34057046
AN - SCOPUS:85107389306
SN - 2047-7724
VL - 115
SP - 357
EP - 364
JO - Pathogens and Global Health
JF - Pathogens and Global Health
IS - 6
ER -