Basic

Coping with social distancing

Posted by: The Conversation Global

Date: Tuesday, 17 March 2020

 

Editor's note

Over the past few days, the severity of the spreading coronavirus pandemic has started to hit home. Across the world, schools and businesses have closed, sporting events and concerts have been cancelled, and people are being urged to avoid gathering in bars and restaurants. It may finally be sinking in that some degree of social isolation is likely in the immediate future for most of us – whether we get sick or not.

Psychology researchers Jonathan Kanter and Adam Kuczynski agree 100% with public health officials’ recommendations to stay home and maintain space if you must go out. But at the same time, they worry about the psychological effects of prolonged isolation. Here are their suggestions on ways to stay connected even if you’re physically all alone.

For more reading on the pandemic as it unfolds, straight from trusted academic sources, you can visit our page dedicated to coronavirus coverage.

Also today:

Maggie Villiger

Senior Science + Technology Editor

Top Story

There are ways to strengthen bonds while keeping physical distance. MoMo Productions/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Social distancing comes with social side effects – here’s how to stay connected

Jonathan Kanter, University of Washington; Adam Kuczynski, University of Washington

Physically isolating yourself can feel psychologically isolating too. But there are ways to maintain connections in these crazy coronavirus times.

COVID-19

Social distancing: What it is and why it’s the best tool we have to fight the coronavirus

Thomas Perls, Boston University

With no vaccines or treatments, the fight against coronavirus comes down to this behavioral technique. A physician explains how it works.

Hong Kong dog causes panic – but here’s why you needn’t worry about pets spreading COVID-19

Sarah L Caddy, University of Cambridge

Can your canine give you coronavirus?

ExoMars2020: how coronavirus played a part in postponement of Mars mission

Monica Grady, The Open University

Delay has turned space mission ExoMars2020 into ExoMars2022.

Laughter in the time of a pandemic: why South Africans are joking about coronavirus

Herman Wasserman, University of Cape Town

Jokes and satire can build resilience but also spread misinformation as people don't always know what is trustworthy and what is just funny.

Science + Technology

A tiny bone from Little Foot’s skeleton adds fresh insights into what our ancestors could do

Amélie Beaudet, University of the Witwatersrand

The findings suggest that this specimen could climb and move in trees. But it may also have been able to walk on the ground. This echoes previous studies.

Smallest ever dinosaur skull found in 3cm piece of amber

David Martill, University of Portsmouth

The fossil includes the tiny flying creature's original bone and flesh.

En Français

De la démocratie en temps de Covid-19

Chiara Destri, Sciences Po – USPC; Cyrille Thiébaut, Sciences Po – USPC

Les élections municipales risquent d’être marquées par un déficit de légitimité.

L’école face au « crash test » du coronavirus

Charles Hadji, Université Grenoble Alpes

La crise du coronavirus sera-t-elle le temps fort d’une réflexion sur les apprentissages et la rénovation du travail pédagogique ? Retour sur les défis posés par la fermeture des écoles.

 
 
 
 
 
 

6ይ ክፋል: ማዕበል ስርሒት ፈንቅል - የካቲት 1990 - ሰነዳዊት ፊልም| sirihit fenkil 1990 - part 6 - ERi-TV Documentary

Dehai Events