Coronavirus: how much of Covid-19’s social distancing is here to stay?
- People will gladly resume some old habits when coronavirus restrictions are eased, but some of the new ones may stick
- The latest part of our series on lessons learned from the pandemic looks at aspects of lockdown life that could change us forever
In an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19, the pneumonia-like disease caused by the virus, governments have first encouraged, then compelled people to practise social distancing, or keeping a physical distance between individuals. People have been told to stay and work at home whenever possible, avoid crowded areas and suspend social gatherings – with varying success.
Behavioural scientists say social distancing is challenging for humans, as innately social creatures, and has come with different costs for the world’s poor, those providing frontline and essential services and people vulnerable to isolation or to domestic violence.
It has forced students into virtual classrooms, customers to stand metres apart at grocery stores, employees to balance child care with working from home, social gatherings – including birthdays, church services, dates and even funerals – to be conducted by video.
“Humans are social animals; even the grumpy ones like to be able to complain to their friends and there are very few true hermits in society,” David Savage, associate professor of behavioural economics at the University of Newcastle in Australia, said. “We are seeing the rise of virtual socialising to replace the physical.”
After the pandemic comes to an end, experts say people will happily abandon social distancing practices, but some social behaviours and norms may be forever changed. Working from home may be more common. Face masks may be normalised in places where they were initially rejected. More lectures, meetings and conferences may be held virtually. Hand washing may become second nature.