Amidst the call of public health authorities around the world to practice “social distancing,” the World Health Organization (WHO) clarified that it should actually be “physical distancing.”
In a press briefing on Friday, WHO’s coronavirus expert Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said it is essential to maintain physical distance from people to prevent the virus from spreading but it doesn’t mean that “socially we have to disconnect from our loved ones, from our family.”
She emphasized the benefit of technology in keeping families and friends connected during these trying times.
“We’re changing to say physical distance and that’s on purpose because we want people to still remain connected,” she said.
Kerkhove continued on to advise the public to find ways through different social media to remain connected with loved ones.
“Find ways through the internet and through different social media to remain connected because your mental health going through this is just as important as your physical health.”
