A preliminary, flow visualization experiment suggests that staying 6 feet apart may not be sufficient. It only took the particles from the simulated cough a couple of seconds to travel 3 feet; in about 12 seconds it reached 6 feet and in about 41 seconds it reached around 9 feet. For a heavy cough, the particles can even travel up to 12 feet. In addition, a face mask doesn’t stop the particles 100 percent, but it does slow down the cough jets.
Tag: social distancing
COVID-19 conspiracy theories: Expert discusses the psychology and danger
Conspiracy theories have been the gasoline on the fire that has sparked resistance to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and doubts over the danger of the disease. That resistance has escalated into protests in several states. Conspiracy theory expert Joanne Miller, an…
Fandoms and virtual engagement in a time of social distancing
With many people remaining in physical isolation due to the coronavirus, some are turning to old hobbies and even older TV shows to stay engaged socially.
Household items, inexpensive workout gear are good alternatives to gym equipment during social distancing
Due to social distancing measures put in place to flatten the curve in the COVID-19 pandemic, gyms around the world are closed. But you can still get a great full-body workout using household items and/or inexpensive workout equipment, says Jenna…
Working at Home a Pain in Your Neck? Try These Posture and Ergonomic Tips
Improving posture and ergonomics is a proactive way to take care of your body while working from home.
UW team illustrates the adverse impact of visiting ‘just one friend’ during COVID-19 lockdown
“What’s the harm in visiting just one friend?” A lot of people are asking that during times of social distancing. A new website illustrates how doing so would essentially reconnect most households in a community and provide conduits through which the COVID-19 virus could spread.
UW psychologist on social distancing and the value of human connection during COVID-19
Social distancing, seemingly the new way of life under coronavirus, has obvious protective measures for health. But it’s also important to maintain human connection, even when circumstances have changed, says Jonathan Kanter, a University of Washington research associate professor of…
The Case For DIY Masks To Slow Coronavirus’ Spread
A small cluster physicist explains why DIY masks work and why even a bandana is better than nothing to fight the spread of COVID19.
Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss Increased Online Gaming During COVID-19 Quarantine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media contact: Cynthia Medina, [email protected], 848-445-1940 Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss Increased Online Gaming During COVID-19 Quarantine How online gaming is combatting against effects of social isolation, overuse of social media New Brunswick, N.J. (Apr.…
COVID-19 survey: Who is doing best at following the rules?
Young people, heavy news consumers and liberals are engaging in more recommended coronavirus (COVID-19) preventative practices than older people, the less informed and conservatives, according to a new national survey conducted by University of Delaware communication researchers.
COVID-19: Social distancing works — just ask these animals
As social distancing is now being practiced at all levels of human society in order to mitigate a pandemic’s spread, a Virginia Tech expert in disease ecology says we need to look no further than our animal counterparts to understand why…
Vanderbilt nursing students experience social distancing … and provide virtual clinical patient care
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing has found innovative ways to allow their nursing pre-specialty students continue with their clinical education while social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Live public street cams are tracking social distancing
With advanced computer vision models and live public street cam video, a University of Michigan startup is tracking social distancing behaviors in real time at some of the most visited places in the world.
Be proactive about mental health during COVID isolation, clinical psychologist says
Seeking out good news is a great way to keep mentally balanced during the long period of social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 battle, says a clinical psychologist who is an associate professor of psychology at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).
UCLA web app will enlist public’s help in slowing the spread of COVID-19
UCLA researchers have launched an app called Stop COVID-19 Together, which is designed to predict the spread of COVID-19 throughout the community and to assess the effectiveness of current measures in that community, including physical distancing. The app will build a map of possible hotspots where there may be a higher risk for accelerated spread of the disease.
Johns Hopkins Taps Twitter to Measure Success of Social Distancing
By comparing Twitter data from before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, Johns Hopkins University researchers found a profound impact on the movement of Americans – indicating social distancing recommendations are having an effect.
Stop calling them elderly: How to talk to older adults about social distancing
FACULTY Q&A Geoffrey Hoffman Geoffrey Hoffman, assistant professor of nursing at the University of Michigan, studies older adult care and health policies that affect older adults. The mortality rate for COVID-19 increases for older adults, yet we’ve seen anecdotal…
Global pandemic serving as catalyst for technology to change how society functions in the future
Social distancing surrounding COVID-19 has forced millions of people to work remotely, embrace virtual learning, and find new ways of connecting with friends online. Virginia Tech computer scientist and cloud computing expert Ali R. Butt says that cloud infrastructure enables…
Social Distancing Pioneer Urges Physical Distance, Not Social Distance
Rutgers psychology professor John Aiello is available to discuss personal space as it relates to the coronavirus pandemic. Aiello is a pioneer on what we now call “social distancing” and is an expert in proxemics, the study of how people use space…
Notre Dame econometrics researcher’s calculations illustrate why we should social distance
Social distancing — the main containment strategy for the coronavirus pandemic — is showing tentative results in lowering the rate of transmission in several U.S. cities. Not only does social distancing work to slow the spread of the virus, it’s…
How to Leverage Virtual Technologies at a Time of Physical Distancing
Humanity is a social species — yet the coronavirus pandemic requires that we reduce physical contact. Here are actionable suggestions for effective interactions to help balance efficiency and connectedness, as modern technology helps us move our interactions to the virtual world and avoid significant social isolation.
Republican governors delayed key COVID-19 social distancing measures
New research by the University of Washington examines factors that contributed to decision-making by governors in all 50 states to combat the novel coronavirus.
McLean Hospital Experts: Confronting Loneliness in a Time of Social Distancing
According to Jacqueline Olds, MD, and Richard S. Schwartz, MD, the coronavirus pandemic presents new challenges and opportunities as people try to stay connected to each other in a time of social distancing (or the term many are advocating for: physical distancing).…
Mental Health Care Needed More Than Ever During COVID-19 Pandemic — Telehealth Can Help Make it Happen
Live video telehealth services are a critical component of the COVID-19 response. Offered by physicians, other clinicians and health-care organizations, telehealth provides a useful method for starting and continuing essential mental health treatment without risk of spreading infection.
‘Drinking Spirits to Lift Spirits’ May Hold Appeal Amid COVID-19 Stress, but Don’t Overdo, Cautions Baylor University Expert on Substance Abuse
Drinking alcoholic beverages may be more appealing amid unease about the coronavirus, as people deal with shelter-at-home orders, fears about the economy and boredom, says a Baylor University researcher who studies alcohol use and misuse. But with regulations providing less access to alcohol, this may be a good time for individuals struggling with alcohol use to begin recovery and for others to guard against over-relying on alcohol or other substances.
Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss How to Handle Groceries at Home
New Brunswick, N.J. (March 31, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick Professor Donald W. Schaffner is available for interviews on how to handle groceries safely at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. “If you are concerned about the outside of food packages being contaminated, I suggest…
COVID-19: Visualizing regional indicators for better decision making
IIASA researchers are working to visualize key demographic and socioeconomic information to help inform decisions by health professionals, governments, and policymakers to address the crisis.
FSU expert available to comment on psychological effects of social isolation during COVID-19 pandemic
By: Bill Wellock | Published: March 30, 2020 | 3:36 pm | SHARE: Millions of Americans are staying home to “flatten the curve” of coronavirus cases.Among those avoiding other people are many older Americans, whose age puts them at a greater risk of serious complications from a COVID-19 infection. That isolation — for seniors and for everyone else — can bring loneliness and frustration.
What are You Looking At? ‘Virtual’ Communication in the Age of Social Distancing
When discussions occur face-to-face, people know where their conversational partner is looking and vice versa. With “virtual” communication due to COVID-19 and the expansive use of mobile and video devices, now more than ever, it’s important to understand how these technologies impact communication. Where do people focus their attention? The eyes, mouth, the whole face? And how do they encode conversation? A first-of-its-kind study set out to determine whether being observed affects people’s behavior during online communication.
FSU expert available to discuss moral decision-making and social distancing
By: Bill Wellock | Published: March 26, 2020 | 2:45 pm | SHARE: In the fight against this new coronavirus, some of the most effective tools are a couch and a television in your own home.Public health officials are asking people to avoid socializing with others to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. That means people often have to make tough decisions about how to respond.
Tips for teams and leaders in the virtual workplace during COVID-19
For most employees around the globe, the workplace has gone virtual during the COVID-19 health crisis. This migration has come with many challenges for teams and leaders and destabilized the intangibles that make an organization successful. The University of Delaware…
COVID-19 just a problem for elderly people, right? Think again.
According to the CDC, based on the preliminary report on outcomes for patients in the U.S., when examining the age range of cases, the largest group with confirmed cases was ages 20-44 years old (29%). Among those hospitalized, adults ages 65-84 years old comprised over a third of patients, but young people were not immune; 1 in 5 of those needing hospitalization were between the ages of 20 and 44 years old. The CDC also reports that in cases with known outcomes, 20% of the deaths occurred in those ages 20-64 years old.
Social Media While Social Distancing: A How-To Guide
With calls from elected and health officials to self-isolate to prevent the spread of coronavirus, more and more people are turning to social media as their primary means of entertainment and connection with friends and the outside world. But can too much social media while social distancing take a toll on your mental and even physical health? We checked in with Natalie Pennington — a UNLV communication studies professor who researches the benefits and harms of social media — to get her take on the best ways to make your online experience work for you.
Feeling obligated can impact relationships during social distancing
In a time where many are practicing social distancing from the outside world, people are relying on their immediate social circles more than usual. Does a sense of obligation — from checking on parents to running an errand for an elderly neighbor — benefit or harm a relationship? A Michigan State University study found the sweet spot between keeping people together and dooming a relationship.
Sex, intimacy, etiquette during the coronavirus pandemic
Sex, intimacy, etiquette during the coronavirus pandemic, IU experts available to comment During the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends putting distance between yourself and others, which complicates sex, intimacy, dating and social etiquette. How…
A silver lining of social distancing and quarantine? Better air quality. @HopkinsEngineer has an expert on atmospheric air pollution who can discuss how and to what extent social distancing and quarantine measures affect air pollution.
A silver lining of social distancing and quarantine? Better air quality. As more and more cities across the U.S. clamp down on travel, there have been fewer cars on the road and early reports of improved air quality. Johns Hopkins…
Loneliness in the time of the coronavirus
Dawn Fallik has talked about the social isolation that hits Gen Z and Millenials who spend so much time online. https://schedule.sxsw.com/2019/events/PP103401 But now that social distancing is requiring less face-to-face contact, she is seeing that many people who live alone…
Older adults need to stay in touch to avoid loneliness during social distancing
As COVID-19 continues to spread across the U.S., social distancing is now the byword for prevention. But for older adults who may already be experiencing loneliness, further isolation could be bad for their health.
Why social distancing is so difficult; how research explains our behavior
John McArthur, an expert on social distancing, explains why the behavior is so difficult, and how we can convince ourselves to do it anyway.
Why is social distancing so hard? Because it goes against every cultural norm of human communication. @FurmanU prof John McArthur explains why, and why we should do it anyway.
John A. McArthur, Ph.D. is an associate professor of communication studies at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. He is the author of Digital Proxemics: How technology shapes the ways we move, (a book that might be even more applicable today than…
EXPERT PITCH: Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation
As people across the nation prepare for social distancing to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, they may stock up on groceries, fill all of their prescriptions and reschedule doctor’s appointments. What they may not think to do is…
Social Spacing: Tips On Deepening Connections & Staying Safe, Sane Amid Coronavirus
As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, people have been asked to stay out of public spaces and reduce interpersonal contact to limit the transmission of the virus. This process has the unfortunate name of “social distancing,“ which has connotations of removing oneself socially and emotionally as well as physically from the public sphere.
Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss Physical Activity and Health During COVID-19 Crisis
New Brunswick, N.J. (March 18, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick Professor Brandon L. Alderman is available for interviews on how to stay active when gyms are closed and you’re confined to home during the COVID-19 crisis. Alderman can also discuss…
WashU Expert: Stuck in the house for a while? Here are some tips
As schools and entertainment venues close due to the coronavirus outbreak, many of us are seeing our social circles reduced quite significantly. An expert on social support at Washington University in St. Louis offers a few evidence-based suggestions for thriving during household isolation.“We don’t know for sure what the long-term health outcomes of widespread forced social isolation will be, but given what we know about the effects of social isolation and stress on physical and mental health, there is reason to be concerned,” said Tess Thompson, research assistant professor at the Brown School and author of a recent study on social isolation and health.
How to Take Care of Your Mental Health While Social Distancing
A Rutgers mental health expert discusses ways to stay engaged and healthy
Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss Christianity’s Response to COVID-19
Media contact: Cynthia Medina, [email protected], 848-445-1940 New Brunswick, N.J. (Mar. 17, 2020) – Rutgers religion expert Louis Benjamin Rolksy is available to discuss the response in Christianity to COVID-19 and the way science and religion have come together in…
Social distancing means more online shopping and that’s good for climate change, right? Maybe not…
As we now become accustomed to the world of social distancing, where we may be encouraged to do our shopping online for the foreseeable future, some have suggested this is good for climate change. But Arde Faghri, professor of civil…
Compassion meditation may ease anxieties related to coronavirus, says WVU meditation expert
Practicing social distancing is one way to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, but practicing emotional closeness may help alleviate the anxiety that the coronavirus can provoke. Julie Brefczynski-Lewis, a research assistant professor in the West Virginia University Department…
Rutgers Expert Offers Tips on How to Maintain Good Nutrition During Social Distancing Due to Coronavirus
Multiple states and countries are instituting shutdowns, curfews, and encouraging social distancing to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 among people. Nonetheless, food and water are needed to survive. Professor Diane Rigassio Radler, director for the Institute for Nutrition Interventions at…
Family Quality Time During the Coronavirus Pandemic
With many schools closed as a measure against the spread of coronavirus, and many parents working remotely, families can incorporate a variety of activities — including educational ones — to keep kids engaged and ready to continue learning when they return to school, say family experts at Baylor University.