'Social distancing' is the wrong term

25 March 2020

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Sir – The term “social distancing” is a misnomer according to CDU Associate Lecturer in Social Work Tufel Musyadad.

He is concerned that the government’s terminology is causing unnecessary confusion and alarm.

Governments and social media are using the term “social distancing” when what they really mean is “physical distancing”.

The message isn’t right and people are getting confused.

Current social distancing guidelines in place to guard against the spread of COVID-19 require 1.5 metres of healthy distance between people, or four square metres (2m x 2m) per person in an enclosed space.

Patrick Nelson
Regional Public Relations Officer, Charles Darwin University

2 COMMENTS

Phil Walcott 25 March 2020 At 6:56 pm

Patrick Nelson is correct. The term should be “physical distancing” or “spacial distancing”.
Ross Chippendale 4 April 2020 At 10:51 am

Does it really matter? Surely you can get the picture from the original terminology? Why confuse such a simple thing?