What is social distancing?

Juan Delcan, Valentina IzaguirreIt’s a video that’s been widely shared on social media…Made by a m arried team of LA-based artists, it shows matches lighting one by one until one decides to break the chain…This is the concept of “social distancing”… recommended by governments around the world to slow the spread of Covid-19.SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Leana Wen, visiting professor of health policy and management at the George Washington UniversityAnd that’s important because if we could spread out the number of infections over time, that will reduce the strain on the healthcare system and prevent the overburdening of all the hospitals at the same time.In practice, social distancing is just what it sounds like: maintaining as much distance as possible between you and those around you.Cheek kisses, hugs, and handshakes are off limits… and even an elbow tap doesn’t cut it…The World Health Organization recommends at least one meter of distance, while some governments recommend two meters.Whenever possible, it’s best to avoid contact entirely by staying at home…Simulations show that social distancing drastically reduces the number of virus cases… keeping the outbreak within the capacities of local healthcare systems.

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In This Story: COVID-19

Covid-19 is the official WHO name given to the novel coronavirus which broke out in late 2019 and began to spread in the early months of 2020.

Symptoms of coronavirus

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

  • a persistent new cough (non productive, dry)
  • a high temperature (e.g. head feels warm to the touch)
  • shortness of breath (if this is abnormal for the individual, or increased)

Latest News about Covid-19

Below are stories from around the globe related to the 2020 outbreak of novel Coronavirus – since the WHO gave the Covid-19 naming. Most recent items are posted nearest the top.

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In This Story: France

France is a republic and the largest Western European nation. Through expansion and colonisation in the 17th and 18th centuries France became a great power and still retains territories around the world. It has a seat on the UN security council and is the world’s fourth most wealthy country with a high standard of living and strong cultural identity.

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In This Story: World Health Organization

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution, which establishes the agency’s governing structure and principles, states its main objective as “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.”

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