An Edmonton writer and educator says the World Health Organization starting to use the term physical distancing in place of social distancing was an important step forward. "We need to be socially connected to encourage each other, to help each other, to look after each other, whereas we need to maintain this physical distancing," Cusack said during an interview on Daybreak Alberta. This difference in wording, with the implied importance of being supportive during difficult times and maintaining social connections, will remain a part of our collective vernacular even after the COVID-19 pandemic ends, Cusack said. To discuss the origins of those phrases, Russell spoke with Tim Cusack, writer, educator and former CBC poetry faceoff winner. "I think that's a coping mechanism that sometimes people will look for ways to provide a context or lend a familiarity to something, even something as dangerous or unwanted as a pandemic," Cusack said.

Source: CBC News April 06, 2020 00:00 UTC