Learning the difference between “social distance” and “social isolation”

By Dennis Archambault

Early in the COVID-19 crisis, there was talk about “self-isolation,” as a way for those who tested positive with the virus could separate themselves from the community to prevent the spread of the disease. Then, as the contagion increased, there was talk about “social distancing,” which got folks thinking about how close they could be to maintain a “healthy distance.”

In a commentary published last week, john powell, director of the Other and Belonging Institute at the University of California Berkeley https://belonging.berkeley.edu/ (and longtime co-chair of the Authority Health Population Health Council) mused about the distinction between social distancing and social isolation. When you think about it in sociological terms, there’s a big difference. Notes powell, “The response to this crisis can easily slip into two opposing narratives. The first narrative is of deep othering, and the second, of belonging. I am concerned about the language around the calls for social distancing and/or social isolation. There is certainly a public health need for physical distance. But this is not the same as social isolation. What is needed is social solidarity along with spatial separation. There have been more than a few stories stating that isolation comes with a different set of costs.”

As we adjust to the imposed isolation, we also are advised to stay connected in an engaging way, not just telegraphing on social media. We need to develop virtual ways of bridging the “social distance” that is now a way of life until the crisis subsides. And, as powell warns, we need to be careful that the imposition of the “stay at home” order doesn’t promote distance between us.

“Our lives and routines have been disrupted, and for how long this will continue, we don’t know,” powell concludes. “This is likely to come with considerable stress and anxiety, even if we do not get sick. What we do know is that it is important to have habits and routines that are healthy and help us connect with each other. There are things we can do alone like walking or meditation, but we also need contact with others and to engage in activities to take our minds off the constant dread. In short, we need each other. Examples of activities where we can maintain physical distance, but not isolation, could include video chats to discuss good books, movies, and joyous events. There may be large, open physical spaces where people can interact from a distance.” He mentions a virtual movie date, or as one journalist suggested, a virtual happy hour.

So, as we find a way to do almost everything at home, we need to remember to resist the pressures of social isolation in the name of creating a healthy distance.

Dennis Archambault is vice president of Public Affairs for Authority Health