Why Should I Practice Social Distancing During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

For several weeks now, we've been hearing the advice to practice social distancing to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Denver Health has been at the forefront of getting that message out to the community because there is currently no vaccine for COVID-19 and our health experts know that the only way to slow its spread is to avoid being exposed. Social distancing is the best way to do that.

Social Distancing Guidelines: What You Need to Know

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, here's what you need to know about its recommendations for social distancing:

• The novel coronavirus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person
• COVID-19 spreads between people who are in close contact with one another, meaning within six feet or less
• COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes
• Respiratory droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or can possibly be inhaled into the lungs

How Social Distancing Can Stop the Spread of COVID-19

Denver Health Chief Medical Officer Connie Price, MD offers a hopeful message about what we all need to do in the weeks ahead.

"What we are really trying to do to make sure we can get through this pandemic and still accommodate the health care our community needs, which is highly dependent on how well we do on our social distancing measures in our community," Dr. Price said.

"If we don't do a good job, we will quickly overwhelm our health care system, but if we do a good job with social distancing, WE CAN DO THIS!"

Dr. Price and other leading health experts recommend we continue to stay at least six feet away from other people whenever we are out in public areas or around other people who do not live with us in our homes.

For up to date information on how Denver Health is adapting to care for patients during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit DenverHealth.org/coronavirus.