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Reader question: Please explain this headline, "social distancing" in particular: Scientists urge government to enforce social distancing now. My comments: Social distancing, literally, means you should keep your distance when you're out socializing, i.e. stay far away from each other when you're in the company of other people or when you're in society at large. Scientists urging social distancing comes, of course, in light of the raging coronavirus that is wrecking havoc in many countries right now. Coronavirus is a flu that is deadly and highly contagious. Highly contagious means the disease easily passes on from one person to another. For example, when anyone comes into close contact with an infected person, someone who carries the virus. You're in close contact if, for instance, you live together in the same room with someone, as you do with your family or roommates in school. Or if you shake hands with someone with the disease. Or if someone coughs while talking to you face to face. To contain the spread of the virus, authorities may advise you to stop shaking hands and to wear facial masks. If the case is serious, authorities may close schools altogether - as well as shutter grocery stores, cancel sports meets and stop people from going to the movies. In other words, avoid any crowding activity or event. Needless to say, under social distancing, your camaraderie with other people is going to take a hit. You're not allowed to meet for dinner or sports or the movies for the time being. | 
