April 14, 2020
By Maya Malizia
Editor
COVID-19 is not just changing people’s daily routines, it is also transforming language. Various words and phrases that reflect the significance of the coronavirus are now part of people’s everyday vocabulary.
Self-quarantine occurs when people isolate themselves because they have reason to believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 but do not exhibit symptoms. Depending on the circumstances, they may self-quarantine by themselves or with family members who might have had similar exposure to COVID-19.
Especially when people believe they are at a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus due to recent travel or because they have or believe they have interacted with an infected individual, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a 14-day self-quarantine.
Social distancing is another term born from the virus, and it can be very hard to do. Social distancing means staying away from other people including friends, family and significant others. However, it generally does not apply to people living in the same household.
The minimum distance people should keep between one another is 6 feet, but to truly practice social distancing, one should avoid all non-essential in-person interactions.
Social distancing is hard for everyone, but it is especially difficult for people who have FOMO, or fear of missing out. These people are finding it especially difficult to stay inside all day, every day because they want to be interacting with others and living life to the fullest.
Elbow bumps, although they technically violate social distancing rules, are the new way to greet people. We used to shake hands, high-five or give a hug or kiss on the cheek, but due to coronavirus, the elbow bump is recognized as a safer way to say hello.
Flattening the curve is the main objective during the COVID-19 pandemic. Graphs depicting the flattened curve are meant to motivate people to do their part and stay away from others.
The news website Live Science defines this term as the community isolation measures that keep the daily number of disease cases at a manageable level for medical providers. Flattening the curve does not mean fewer people will get infected, but it means those infected individuals will contract COVID-19 at a slower rate so there are fewer hospital visits per day and fewer sick people being turned away. Only when the curve flattens out completely will it be considered safe to resume normal daily activities.
