Social Distancing

We know there is some confusion about what to do next in the midst of this unprecedented time. School closures in the nation, and widespread social disruption may cause worry and uncertainty. Based on the best official information available to us today, these are important steps for us to take.

At this point, containment through contact tracing and increased testing is only part of the

necessary strategy for public health to take on the situation. In addition, we must do our part as a community to mitigate the widespread, including, uncomfortable, and comprehensive social distancing. This means to reduce or avoid as much as possible, group gatherings, and public events, including making daily choices to stay away from each other as much as possible to flatten the infection curve.

What does this enhanced form of social distancing mean on a daily basis when schools are out because of spring break or closure?

Here are some steps you can start taking now to keep your family safe and do your part to avoid a worsening crisis:

Avoid kid playdates, parties, sleepovers, or visiting each other’s houses and apartments.

The symptoms of coronavirus take four to five days to manifest themselves. Someone with

whom we interact with and is looking well can transmit the virus. Also, sharing food is

particularly risky, therefore it is not recommended that people do so outside of their family.

While taking on social measures to address this serious disease and taking advantage of the

break, let’s not actively co-opt our efforts by having high levels of social interaction. We need to all do our part during these times, even if it means some discomfort for a while.

Take care of yourself and your family, but maintain social distance.

Exercise, take walks/runs outside, and stay connected through phone, video, and other social media. But when you go outside, do your best to maintain at least six feet between you and non-family members.

If you have kids, try not to use public facilities like playground structures, as coronavirus can live on plastic and metal for up to nine days, and these structures aren’t getting regularly cleaned.

Older adults also need to take additional precautions to prevent contact and though we may wish to visit elders in our community in person, it is recommended to not visit nursing homes or other areas where large numbers of the elderly reside, as they are at highest risk for complications and mortality from coronavirus.

Social distancing can take a toll (after all, most of us are social creatures). The CDC offers tips and resources to reduce this burden, and other resources offer strategies to cope with the added stress during this time.

We need to find alternate ways to reduce social isolation within our communities through virtual means instead of in-person visits.

Reduce the frequency of going to stores, movies, restaurants, and coffee shops for the time being.

Of course trips to the grocery store will be necessary, but try to limit them and go at times when they are less busy. Consider asking grocery stores to queue people at the door in order to limit the number of people inside a store at any one time.

Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before and after your trip. Maintain distance from

others while shopping — and remember that hoarding supplies negatively impacts others so buy what you need and leave some for everyone else.

Take-out meals and food are riskier than making food at home given the links between the

people who prepare food, transport the food, and you. It is hard to know how much that risk is, but it is certainly higher than making it at home. But you can and should continue to support your local small businesses (especially restaurants and other retailers) during this difficult time by buying gift certificates online that you can use later.

If you are sick, isolate yourself, stay home, and contact a medical professional.

If you are sick, you should try to isolate yourself from the rest of your family within your

residence as best as you can. If you have questions about whether you qualify or should get a coronavirus test, you can call your primary care team and/or consider calling the Texas

Department of Public Health at 1-512-776-7111 or the Cameron County Helpline (956) 546-4357. Don’t just walk into an ambulatory clinic — call first so that they can give you the best advice — which might be to go to a virtual visit on video or phone. Of course, if it is an emergency call 911.

We have a preemptive opportunity to save lives through the actions we take right now that we will not have in a few weeks. It is a public health imperative. It is also our responsibility as a community to act while we still have a choice and while our actions can have the greatest impact.

#socialdistancing