There’s a temptation for young people to drop their guard because they believe only old people catch the Covid-19 influenza. That’s simply not true. The virus does not discriminate for age, although physical condition plays a major role in the severity of symptoms. In fact, teens are more likely to spread the virus because they are more socially active. Social distancing breaks the transmission chain. We all have to do it, and here’s why.
Three is a Crowd Unless Distancing Breaks the Transmission Chain
Rachel Schraer writing for BBC Health says each person with the Covid virus passes it to two or three other people on average. Those two to three people pass it on to another two to three people, and so on. However, it can take a week for the first batch to develop symptoms and realize they are carrying the virus.
Social distancing breaks the transmission chain to a large extent. However the challenge to overcome is we are social creatures and we naturally draw closer to our friends. Personal space is highly relevant in this context so let’s pause to understand it.
Let’s Understand the Human Culture of Socializing in Space
Edward Twitchell Hall was an American anthropologist and cross-cultural researcher. He discovered different cultures react differently to closeness to other people. However, they all divide the space around them into four zones.
These are firstly intimate space where they embrace and touch special people, and secondly personal distance where they allow good friends and family. The third zone is where they interact with social acquaintances. The fourth is the rest of their known world.
Edward Twitchell Hall discovered Americans typically like to be four feet apart during conversations, whereas Europeans prefer two to three feet. Both these ranges are less than the six feet virologists recommend. This means distancing breaks the transmission chain only if we maintain a distance that feels uncomfortable at first.
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Preview Image: Example of Personal Space
