How to keep social distancing as COVID-19 continues

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Social distancing endures and is likely to continue for a while. A Purdue University public health expert talks about what that means for the long term and how to practice social distancing while not socially isolating.

“Let’s keep in mind that while we’re hearing the term social distancing all over the place, it really means physical distancing,” says Libby Richards, an associate professor of nursing, who focuses on population health in Purdue’s School of Nursing “It’s very important that we continue to find ways to socialize and interact with one another. It’s also very important that we try to maintain a healthy routine as much as possible, but also make our trips very essential and very purposeful.”

Richards suggests the importance of thinking of ways to incorporate physical activity in that routine, especially with warmer weather and people wanting to spend time outside. For example, she says, if you have kids, take them on a walk. There also are ways to interact with neighbors from afar such as such as scavenger hunts or other games that can be played from your driveway.

“Of the utmost importance is that we give ourselves and others grace,” Richards says. “No one is going to win ‘parent of the year’ right now or be ‘employee of the month.’ Please allow yourself time to make adjustments and do what is needed to be done to be as successful and productive and happy as you can in this time of need.”

The School of Nursing is in Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences.

Writer: Matthew Oates, 765-586-7496 (cell), oatesw@purdue.edu, @mo_oates

Source: Libby Richards, earichar@purdue.edu, @LibbyAnnR1. She is available for phone and web-based conference interviews.

Note to Journalists: A photo of Libby Richards and a stock photo is available on Google Drive. A video featuring Libby Richards discussing social distancing is available online. Richards has talked to numerous media outlets about the 2019-20 influenza season, as well as measles, whooping cough and other infectious diseases. She also has provided basic safety tips to media outlets regarding COVID-19.