LOCKDOWN

“People over 70 have been grappling with the possibility that they could face an extended coronavirus lockdown after general restrictions end, filling them with fear and frustration.”

 The term “lockdown” isn’t new, but COVID-19 has given it new meaning. Current dictionary references to lockdown mention confining prisoners to their cells during a riot and isolating or resticting access to a place because of a dangerous situation.

 Since COVID-19 appeared, we’ve used the term “lockdown” in reference to measures taken to avoid spreading the virus, especially in relation to the new rules related to travelling, meeting with others and closing places that involve unnecessary contact between people. This is strictly a partial lockdown: most of us can still go out but only for certain reasons and normally only once a day. For others, and especially where people are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, the lockdown is total, as illustrated in the last of the following examples.


 Examples

 “The big weekly shop has made a comeback with supermarkets reporting record trolley loads as Britons develop new lockdown routines.”

 “Shops in cities and towns across the UK have been closed since lockdown measures were introduced.”

 “A total of 27 people – 17 residents with dementia and 10 staff – have been in lockdown for five weeks.”


Photo credit: byronv2 (Creative Commons)

SELF-ISOLATING

“The number of fire staff affected by the virus has increased

 with some 3,000 fire and rescue staff now self-isolating.”

 The terms “self-isolation” (noun) and “self-isolate” (verb) were submitted to the Collins online dictionary between late January and early March this year and have only recently been published in it. They still haven’t been published in the free online Oxford or Cambridge dictionaries.

 Based on the dictionary definition, to self-isolate is to isolate (quarantine) yourself because you have, or suspect you have, a contagious disease, such as COVID-19; it also means to remain alone.

 Based on guidelines published by the UK government and the National Health Service (NHS), the term “self-isolation” is reserved for people who have, or have been living with someone who has had, COVID-19.


More examples

 “The letter has also raised concerns about the ‘narrow spectrum of symptoms the UK is using as an indication for self-isolation.’”

 “He was discharged from Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 10 April and has since been self-isolating in their Woodgate home.”

 “Her heartbroken parents were then told they would have to go home without her to self-isolate for 14 days.”


 In reality, the term “self-isolation” is regularly being used to describe social distancing. It’s also being used by or to refer to people who are isolating themselves because their age or underlying health conditions make them particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. However, another term has been introduced for people in this category: shielding.

 “Vulnerable residents shielding from coronavirus in Lichfield and Burntwood are being urged to register for help if they need it.”


 Summary:

 Social distancing – taking steps to avoid spreading COVID-19 (coronavirus). This should be practised by everyone, regardless of their age and health.

 Self-isolating – staying at home and avoiding any contact with others because you either have, suspect you have, or have been living with someone who has COVID-19 (coronavirus).

 Shielding – avoiding contact with others because you are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 (coronavirus) due to age or underlying health conditions.


 Photo credit: Marc Roberts (Creative Commons)

SOCIAL DISTANCING

“Education workers say enforcing social distancing among primary pupils is ‘almost impossible’”

 The noun “social distancing” was submitted as a new word to the Collins online dictionary on 5th March 2020, and its definition has now been published as “the practice of maintaining a certain distance between oneself and other people in order to prevent infection with a disease.”

 Since COVID-19 appeared, “social distancing” has crept into our writing and speech almost without our becoming aware of it. Today, a Google search for “social distancing” receives over 740 million hits.


 More examples

 “Strict social distancing arrangements will be in force with MPs required to sit two metres apart.”

 “Picture of people at Staffordshire beauty spot sparks fierce debate about social distancing during lockdown”

 “The government has asked people across the UK to observe social distancing to help limit the spread of coronavirus.”


 The term also appears as the verb, to socially distance (or to social distance):

 “We have taken steps to make sure our workers can socially distance while working.”

 “Doctors warn it is extremely difficult to social distance or self-isolate in overcrowded environments.”


 Although it’s not in the dictionary yet, the adjective “socially distanced” is now regularly used:

 “Having to self-isolate and remain socially distanced at this time can make feelings of grief and loneliness even more intense.”


 Photo credit: Tim Dennell (Creative Commons)

MAKING ENDS MEET

“It’s becoming more and more difficult to make ends meet.”

 We’re hearing or reading this phrase a lot at the moment. Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), many people have lost their jobs, or their businesses have collapsed. Therefore, many people are struggling to pay their bills. To make ends meet is to earn just enough money to live on and pay necessary bills.

 More examples

 “Mangiafico calls it much needed comfort food for those now struggling to make ends meet.”

 “The service has been helping those in the local community – and beyond – who are struggling to make ends meet as a result of the coronavirus crisis.”

 “The consumer champion was back on our screens on Thursday, handing out useful advice for families up and down the country struggling to make ends meet.”



 Origin
 The ends mentioned in this idiom may have been the two ends of the year. The phrase probably referred to making one’s annual income stretch from the beginning to the end of the year. [1]


 Photo credit: Bob Bertsch (Creative Commons)

 [1] Cresswell, Julia. “end” in The Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins. Oxford University Press, 2009.