Numerous governments worldwide have been implementing "Social-distancing" measures such as floor tiles markers, posters, taped-up sinks, one seat apart schemes to prevent people from passing each other by and mitigating the risks of COVID.
It has been a familiar sight to see in workplaces, malls, gyms, and even on the streets in many countries.
For over a year, experts have advised that people should stay at least two meters away from people they don't live with.
Numerous establishments have adopted social distancing policies across the globe, but science has moved on.
Experts urge governments for months to reconsider their approach, warning that social distancing measures alone aren't enough to prevent COVID-19 transmission and infection.
Obsolete Social Distancing Measures
A report published in The BMJ entitled, "Two meters or one: what is the evidence for physical distancing in covid-19?" says that social distancing rules are obsolete since they're based on the presumption that COVID is based on viral transfer or large droplets and smaller airborne ones.
The World Health Organization advises people to stay a minimum of one meter apart, but the authors of the report say that transmission is more complex than previously thought. The origins of the rule date back to the 19th century, but recent studies have shown that water droplets carrying COVID can travel more than two meters when released via coughs and shouting.
Recently it has become clear that droplets carrying covid aren't the only way for transmission to occur. Infection may also occur from airborne exposure.
Microscopic viral particles from water droplets can remain in the air for hours. Outdoors these can quickly be blown away. However, indoors, without proper ventilation, the droplets can rapidly build up.
Masks are vital measures in mitigating the risks of transmission. Not only do they block droplets from the air, but it also ensures that COVID-positive people won't expel infectious droplets in the air.
However, masks aren't 100%, which is why some studies have pointed out that simply being in an enclosed room for a prolonged time with a COVID-positive patient increases the potential risks of contracting the virus.
Numerous super-spreader studies show evidence of COVID reaching farther lengths when it is in cold, stale air environments.
Temperature Checks aren't as Effective as You Think
According to the World Health Organization, temperature screenings at entry and exit points alone aren't effective in preventing international spread. WHO's warning stems from the varying incubation periods of the virus wherein symptoms such as fevers could appear a number of days after infection.
Instead, WHO urges governments to be more strict in disseminating and collating health declaration forms for a more effective prevention method.
Other experts agree that although temperature checks do provide some means of detection, it has limitations that are often misunderstood. Additionally, these social-distancing methods provide a false sense of security for the general public.
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