5 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 15... 13 14 + FIDO One Sunday afternoon in April near Front and Main Streets in Memphis, TN a large group was seen disregarding social distancing. By Yvonne D. Nelson, Ph.D., CNC Social or physical distancing requires everyone to maintain space between themselves and other outsiders, people who are not part of their everyday home environment. Social distancing limits face-to-face contact with others and is the very best way to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease, COVID-19. As I travel throughout Memphis making and taking time to attend to essential tasks for self and others, I often see groups of individuals who are not practicing social distancing. Practicing social distancing has become mandatory at some essential locations like pharmacies, grocery and big-box chain stores. Many companies have and continue to change their policies to protect their workers and their customers, so please abide by these rules because they could save your life. To practice social distancing, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following: 1. Stay a minimum of 6 feet (about two normal arms’ length) from other people; 2. Refrain from gathering in groups; and 3. Remove yourself from any places that are overly crowded or where mass gatherings are being held. Remember, people can spread the coronavirus before they know they are sick, so it is extremely important for you to stay away from others when possible, because you could be sick yourself and not know it. Researchers, scientist, doctors, and others studying this new novel (human) coronavirus have determined that people can be fooled into thinking they are well because they are not experiencing any symptoms of the disease or feel well. Unfortunately, COVID-19 can be silently working inside of their bodies making them an asymptomatic, which is a person with a condition who is not producing or showing any symptoms. This is why a person can test negative and have no symptoms today and test positive a few days later. Everyone, including you and I, have a role to play in slowing the spreading of this dreadful disease. Let’s practice social distancing to protect ourselves, our family members, and our community. 16
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