Physical distancing or social distancing: that is the question

Aminnejad, Reza; Alikhani, Rosa

doi:10.1007/s12630-020-01697-2

Cited by 38 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Even applying the term “Physical distancing” or “Social distancing” seems to be controversial, as the former refers to keeping a two-meter distance “physically” apart from others while maintaining the necessary social interactions via different methods such as using social media. The latter, however, might induce a sense of social isolation in the long term ( 46 ). Although some degree of physical distancing seems to be necessary, related isolation can lead to stigmatization and can be quite misleading.…”

Section: Risk Factors and Vulnerable Groupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is a report about patients suspected to be infected by COVID-19 escaping from a hospital in Afghanistan. “Why the individuals left the medical facility was not immediately clear, but videos on social media suggested they were at odds with the hospital over their treatment.” ( 36 – 38 , 46 , 50 ). The blaming model of stigma proposes that people use several defense mechanisms to reduce the tension and anxiety related to the stigma of the disease, which includes either mature forms such as altruism and humor or immature ones such as denial and splitting ( 51 , 52 ).…”

Section: Consequences Of Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The choice of language and metaphors is critical in de-stigmatizing efforts ( 1 , 46 , 59 ). It directs individuals and communities' reactions to obscure situations such as pandemics.…”

Section: What Needs To Be Done?mentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Narrative Review of Stigma Related to Infectious Disease Outbreaks: What Can Be Learned in the Face of the Covid-19 Pandemic?

et al. 2020

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Infectious disease pandemics are associated with social consequences and stigma that are noticeably similar in various health conditions, health systems, and cultures. Stigma impacts health-related outcomes, not only as a barrier to receiving the timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment but also as an important variable that increases mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The COVID-19 outbreak has been associated with stigma too. Studying similarities as well as differences in the features of stigma observed in each outbreak can provide us with the knowledge and deeper understanding of the situation, which is necessary for approaching the issue comprehensively. The stigma needs to be addressed rigorously by professionals and health care providers as well as authorities. Here, we narratively review stigma due to some well-known infectious diseases and how it parallels to the current COVID-19 situation. After discussing its effects on both individuals and societies, we provide solutions to manage this important issue.

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Section: Risk Factors and Vulnerable Groupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Consequences Of Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Narrative Review of Stigma Related to Infectious Disease Outbreaks: What Can Be Learned in the Face of the Covid-19 Pandemic?

et al. 2020

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“…Since 1918 Influenza Pandemic which killed about 50 million people and infected one-third of the world population, the COVID-19 is the biggest threat to public healthcare system worldwide (Greenstone & Nigam, 2020). Scientists claiming that the best strategy for the time being is to reduce the spread of the virus among population is to keep a physical distance (Aminnejad & Alikhani, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral limitations of individuals for coping with COVID-19: A terror management perspective

Ahmed¹,

Ahmed²,

Barkat³

2020

Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment

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Authorities and policymakers have been advocating people to follow the traditional personal protective measures (e.g., social distancing) to avoid COVID-19 disease and to reduce its spread further. Based on terror management theory (TMT) and individuals' bounded rationality (BR), this study designs a conceptual framework to examine psychological limitations of people for obeying the experts' instructionsparticularly, social distancing-during the pandemic. This is because, contrary to "social distancing," humans subconsciously use centuriesold defense mechanisms-seeking close relationships, validation or modification of cultural worldviews, and enhancement of selfesteem-by "social gatherings" for the sake of buffering their own paralyzing terror of death in time of a large scale mortality salience (e.g., COVID-19). This study argues that in pandemics in which diseases spread due to human interactions, societies need to trade-off between reducing human or economic losses by imposing immediate stringent restrictions on people movements (e.g., lockdowns) versus mitigating pandemic related psychological or mental issues by allowing them to use anxiety reduction buffering mechanisms (e.g., social gatherings). By studying people's recent responses to the COVID-19 outbreak and given their BR, this study proposes that governments' interventions are needed to curtail the disease spreading and its associated costs further. In addition, several recommendations for interventions are suggested.

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“…In this discussion, the term physical distancing is explicitly used as opposed to social distancing to highlight the idea that appropriately distanced social connection can still occur and is not discouraged in any way by the guidance. 19,20 The unintentional context of the term social distancing is that we should distance ourselves from others in all aspects when the only potential concern is a physical distance close enough to spread respiratory droplets or aerosols. We should encourage safe social interaction wherever possible, being proactive in reaching out to others with empathy and understanding.…”

Section: Use Specific Language To Signify Intent and Meaningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness as a Downstream Concern in a Pandemic (and Post-Pandemic) World

Malcom

2021

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

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Physical distancing or social distancing: that is the question

Cited by 38 publications

References 10 publications

A Narrative Review of Stigma Related to Infectious Disease Outbreaks: What Can Be Learned in the Face of the Covid-19 Pandemic?

A Narrative Review of Stigma Related to Infectious Disease Outbreaks: What Can Be Learned in the Face of the Covid-19 Pandemic?

Behavioral limitations of individuals for coping with COVID-19: A terror management perspective

Loneliness as a Downstream Concern in a Pandemic (and Post-Pandemic) World

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