Social distancing vs physical distancing

Though the availability of a vaccine to combat COVID-19 is on the cards, we still need to stringently follow the distancing norms until the vaccine is abundantly available for use in the market. Because, before the vaccine gets in, lakhs of persons all over the world would get affected by the virus. Therefore, distancing norms have to be followed anyhow for an indefinite period of time. However, the term "social distancing" as is being used by the government strikingly sounds foot-in-mouth. Instead of this, "physical distancing" should be used to give the common people an appropriate meaning of the distancing norms to be followed. "Social distancing" would lead to social isolation from friends, relatives, neighbours and others. On the other hand, "physical distancing" implies distancing to be followed in mathematical measurements as prescribed. Hence, using "physical distancing" in place of "social distancing" would also reduce the chances of communal disharmony among the illiterate and would contribute to serving the real purpose of distancing to a significant extent.

Bibhash Deva Nath,

Rangia.