WHO: The term social distancing, replaced by physical distancing

from
Mihai Niculescu,

Sunday, April 19, 2020, 11:45 p.m.

The term “social distancing” may imply a feeling of disconnection from loved ones, which can have an impact on mental health, as it is important for people to remain socially connected, according to the WHO.

The concept was explained Wednesday by epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove, at a press conference, according to Mediafax.

“I said physical distance because it is important to stay physically separate but socially connected,” said Van Kerkove, adding that people must take care of their mental health and loved ones during the pandemic.

Lack of physical contact and human connection can have a negative effect. This is one of the reasons why Stanford psychologist Jamil Zaki suggests changing the size of “social distancing” as “physical distancing.”

“Social distancing was the wrong term from the start. We should think of this as ‘physical distancing’, to emphasize that we can remain socially connected even while we are apart,” the psychologist explained.

Physical distance from others is one of the most effective ways to combat the spread of the coronavirus. But this, however, contradicts people’s desire for connection and physical contact, and could contribute to feelings of anxiety, fear of loneliness and pain, which could create another crisis: mental health.

Consensual physical contact and interactions between people release chemicals in the brain and body, including endorphins, serotonin, and oxytocin, which can stimulate happiness and reduce pain and stress.

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