While public health officials are no doubt correct that social distancing is necessary, as a social scientist I would add that it is a necessary evil. Today’s regime of social distancing may well spare us from covid-19 infection. Based on his research, Zak finds that it spikes at the 20-second point in a hug between romantic partners. First, social media is a poor substitute for human contact in the best of circumstances, because it provides neither touch nor eye contact. Armed with these protocols, I believe we can successfully endure the necessary evil of social distancing.

Source: Washington Post March 20, 2020 19:07 UTC