When you leave your home, you need to practice social distancing. Keep at least two metres away from other people to protect yourself or to prevent the spread of coronavirus. But why are we doing this? 

When someone coughs or sneezes, droplets are dispersed into the air from their nose or mouth. According to the World Health Organization, if you're standing too close you can breathe in the droplets of the virus if the person is infected. Now more than ever we should be aware of our habits regarding sneezing and coughing no matter who we're around. 

If you're finding it hard to estimate what two meters looks like, it’s about three steps or two shopping carts length, two golden retrievers or the length of moose antlers.

Alberta Health Services wants to remind us that physical distancing applies outside your home. Households do not need to distance from each other unless they are sick or have travelled within the past 14 days. Physical distance and emotional distance are not the same. Social distancing is referring to physical space. It is important to keep physical space from other households while staying emotionally connected! 

This may not be the worst time to let your children have some video chat time with friends, to play an extra video game, or to watch an extra movie. Perhaps even mix it up with online yoga or a bit of e-learning.  

Each interaction outside your home is a potential time when your family may be put at risk for the virus, so the less interaction your children have with other children, the better. If you need help with childcare support, try to limit your contact with a single other family or single childcare provider. 

It’s important to know what to do if you feel sick. The coronavirus pandemic is making everyone aware of the proper handwashing protocol and protecting others from coughs and sneezes. Along with those essential steps, practices such as social distancing, self-quarantine, and isolation when appropriate, can slow the rate of infection in an area.

By taking all these measures, you have a greater chance of protecting yourself and others not only from the coronavirus, but from cold and flu too.

The pandemic can seem overwhelming, but in truth, every person can help slow down the spread of COVID-19. By doing your part, you can make a big difference to your health and that of others around you.

For more on COVID 19: Click HERE

 

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