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Social distancing is being recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and NIH Infectious Diseases, as an efficient way to minimize exposure to the coronavirus.

This proclamation is the most striking example to date of state and local governments acting to halt the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

For example, six counties in the San Francisco metro area made headlines when they announced earlier this week that they ordered all their residents to “shelter in place” in response to the coronavirus.

Stricter lockdowns could follow, as well, in other states and localities.The Trump administration on Monday urged all Americans not to travel and to limit gatherings to fewer than 10 people.

Mayor DeBlasio of New York has said that he is considering a curfew that will keep citizens off the streets and thereby minimize contact.

Social Distancing: Minimizing Contact Reduces The Risk

Lock downs China and Italy, have been more severe than San Francisco’s. The coronavirus has taken a huge toll on their populations.

But, in San Francisco,are still able to travel, buy food, and see a doctor. Residents can even take part in outdoor activities, like walking or hiking, as long as they keep at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and others.

In fact, the term “social distancing”, is a gentler way of saying quarantine. The definition of this word is very specific: It’s the seclusion of a person potentially exposed to a disease for a period of time to see if they become infected.

A quarantined person stays in one place to avoid nearly all contact with the outside world.  Breaking a federal quarantine is punishable by a fine or imprisonment.

Furthermore, anyone violating a federal quarantine order could face a fine of up to $100,000, a year in jail, or both.

Many states also have their own punishments for violating quarantine, though they vary widely.

Current Status:
In the current coronavirus situation, the social distancing or quarantine forces people to stay in their homes and avoid contact. By minimizing contact, you minimize and contain the spread of infectious disease. We’ll soon see if this really does work.