Coronavirus: What is social distancing? - BBC News

Governments around the world are advising people to socially distance themselves in order to reduce pressures on health services and stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).

This is even more important now UK schools have been closed to most children.

But what exactly is the advice on social distancing - and who should be doing it the most? And how exactly does it stop the spread of coronavirus?

The BBC's health reporter, Laura Foster explains.

[Fibreglassfaith]

I’ve been waving around a big broom anytime someone comes near my front door for years - now its got a name???!!!!

[lostcause]

Social Distancing in the age of Social Networking.. 😒 😷 😱

[awhi]

Social distancing is what my brain has always thought about and convinced my body to do. My therapist now looking at me for advice 🤣

[Ryan-jrcv]

Still thousands of people flying on planes. Look at flight tracker.

[Gomes]

Outgoing people need to take note 📝 as introverts been practicing this for years

[Henchman_Holding_Wrench]

Imagine a playground full of people running frantically playing tag. You know the easiest way to not get tagged? Stay at home.

[sensorcato]

"What is social distancing?"

Me.

[manlikekuffy]

Hope and wish all your families are well💯❤

[shadfrigui]

Hey humans! You have to rename that term, for example, physical distancing. You need social closeness.

[Agustin_]

Stop the inhuman practice of social distancing.
#nosocialdistancing

[freesaxon]

What is social distancing ? The BBC have been practicing it for decades, they are *completely* out of touch with the British people !

[Suspect]

Im not living the rest of my life like this

[WanderingEverywhere]

May God help us to defeat this deadly virus. Please pray in front of God and please ask forgiveness from God.

[insanind]

Let the whole world pray to God with one heart

[mokhtar]

2020 has been so crazy and that's only march. 😓

[sir]

When you realize you’ve been doing it your whole entire life.

[celladora]

It's b.s.
This is about being able to track people using cellphones. That's why you are being told to get rid of your microwaves and stay 6 feet apart do you think germs stop at 5 feet 11 inches? Big brother tracking

[maximilian]

I was just out in Houston TX U.S. for a drs appointment. There was traffic, everywhere packed, construction with a bunch of workers, kids playing in parks, people jogging together, all stores open, it was just like any other day. I'm so upset and in shock. No one cares. I thought I was going to see empty streets! I had to use an elevator and 5 people got in after me. Packed waiting room.

[shazanali]

One of the tag lines of this pandemic, no health service can cope with this, erm Germany is doing awesom

[frankyuk]

Me and my wife are banned from visiting our children and grandchildren in their homes and they are banned from visiting us in our home. And yet we are allowed to visit the supermarket and mingle in close proximity with a hundred or so strangers for an hour or two...