Right here at We ❤ Well being Literacy Headquarters, after all we’re paying shut consideration to well being officers’ efforts to gradual the unfold of coronavirus. And we are able to’t assist however discover they’re utilizing a lot of phrases that appear to imply the identical factor — like isolation, quarantine, and social distancing.
As you’ve absolutely observed, individuals are panicking — and complicated phrases gained’t assist. The likelihood that you simply’ll have to quarantine your self is particularly worrisome in the event you don’t actually perceive what meaning!
As well being communicators, our job isn’t simply to report that isolation, quarantine, and social distancing are occurring — it’s additionally to assist individuals perceive these phrases. In case you want a refresher your self, try our plain language definitions:
And what’s with the 6-feet rule, you ask? That’s how far consultants suppose respiratory droplets containing coronavirus can journey by means of the air when somebody sneezes or coughs.
Oh, and whilst you’re serving to your audiences perceive all these phrases, be sure they know what a pandemic is. And attempt to bust a couple of coronavirus myths and misconceptions whilst you’re at it.
The underside line: In case you’re writing about isolation, quarantine, and social distancing, clarify these phrases in phrases your readers perceive.