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Virus Redefines Respecting Personal Space

Associated Press

   ROME - Social distancing could qualify as an oxymoron in Italy, where
   walking arm-in-arm with friends, kissing neighbors in greeting and
   patting the heads of babies are part of the demonstrative culture.

   But a new virus has rapidly redefined the concept of respecting
   personal space for tactile Italians, as well as for South Koreans,
   Filipinos, Americans, Spaniards and citizens of many other crowded
   parts of the world.

   Whether acting under government orders or following basic public health
   advice, people are putting distance between themselves to keep the
   coronavirus away. The new rules of engagement call for maintaining a
   gap of one to two meters (or three to six feet) to prevent possible
   exposure when an infected individual coughs or speaks.

   The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most of those
   infected, but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or people
   with existing health problems. The vast majority of those infected
   recover.

   The reset norm for an acceptable degree of separation became visible
   evidence of the pandemic's reach as schools, shopping malls and sports
   venues closed and opportunities for public encounters dwindled. Outside
   a gun shop in California, a post office in Hungary and a supermarket in
   Manila, lines lengthened as customers queued up at more or less proper
   intervals.

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