--- title: "The WHO Wants You to Ditch the Phrase “Social Distancing”" description: "The World Health Organization is officially “distancing” itself from the phrase “social distancing” and is from here on recommending to use the phrase “physical  distancing” instead, according to Reuters. The idea is to clarify that an order to stay at home during the current coronavirus outbreak isn’t about breaking up contact with your friends and […]" date: "2020-03-20" modified: "2020-03-23" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/who-ditch-phrase-social-distancing" categories: - "Future Society" tags: - "coronavirus" - "covid-19" - "the digest" - "virus" - "WHO" --- # The WHO Wants You to Ditch the Phrase “Social Distancing” ![The World Health Organization is officially "distancing" itself from the phrase "social distancing" and is recommending "physical  distancing" instead.]() *\Image: Victor Tangermann\* ## "Physical Distancing" The World Health Organization is officially advocating against the phrase "social distancing" and is from here on recommending the phrase "physical distancing" instead, [according to *Reuters*](). The idea is to clarify that an order to stay at home during the current coronavirus outbreak isn't about breaking contact with your friends and family — but rather keeping a physical distance to make sure the disease doesn't spread. ## Same Breath The sentiment was echoed by Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. "I would argue that what we are doing right now is physical distancing, not social distancing," she said during a town hall today, as [quoted by the *Dorchester Reporter*](). "We are creating physical distance between us to limit the spread of the virus," she added. "But we should be doing that in the same breath as we are maintaining our social connections and sense of community and common sense of purpose." ## Socially Connected Stanford University professor of psychology Jamil Zaki also argued that we should cut it out with all the talk about "social distancing." "I think we should begin by re-framing what we’re doing right now," Zaki said in a [Thursday Q&A]() for the university. "We should think of this time as 'physical distancing' to emphasize that we can remain socially connected even while being apart." "Social distancing is vital to slowing the spread of COVID-19, but it also pushes against human beings’ fundamental need for connection with one another," Zaki added. "Ironically, the same technologies we often blame for tearing apart our social fabric might be our best chance, now, of keeping it together." **READ MORE:** [Coronavirus live updates]() \[*Reuters*\] **More on the virus:** *[US Senators Accused of Profiting Off Coronavirus Stock Crash]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()