Coronavirus: why global health chiefs are calling for ‘social distancing’ term to be dropped – The National

Coronavirus: why global health chiefs are calling for ‘social distancing’ term to be dropped – The National

Coronavirus: why global health chiefs are calling for 'social distancing' term to be dropped. The World Health Organisation says the term implies a complete disconnect with others, and relationships remain key to people's mental well-being. The World Health Organisation is dropping its use of the term social distancing to encourage people to stay connected during the coronavirus outbreak.. Officials are instead adopting the phrase "physical distance" to help curb the spread of the pandemic without cutting much-needed social ties.. "We are changing to say 'physical distance' and that's on purpose because we want people to remain connected," said Dr Maria Kerkhove, a WHO epidemiologist.. "So find ways to do that, find ways through the Internet and through different social media to remain connected because your mental health going through this (pandemic) is just as important as your physical health.". Experts say people can still remain connected either online through social media, over the phone, or even by talking to each other at a safe distance in checkout lines the use of the new term.. Psychologists have warned that the gloomy global situation could be harmful to people's mental health.. . @Dubai_DED directs all retails & business outlets in