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)