COVID-19: Social Disease and Public Prudence

Abstract

The article profiles the social aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic including the social component of virus transmission, the parallels between national and regional social distancing habits, and the impact of COVID-19 on populations. The interaction of low-contact and high-contact cultures with the COVID-19 virus is analyzed. The public policy response is examined with particular reference to proportionality in decision-making. The article explores the role of mid-range, balanced policies and temperate, moderate actions in dealing with a serious public health issue.

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Keywords

anxiety, balance, community immunity, coronavirus, COVID-19, crowds, death, economic lockdown, explanation, families, fear of death, haptics, high-contact cultures, low-contact cultures, modeling, pathogen, panic, predictions, proportionality, proxemics