'Social distancing' : this pain has existed forever

Abstract

I can only imagine the pain and suffering that so many people are experiencing as one public health directive after another exhorts for social distancing. The need to be together is evident in the recurring appeals from the health authorities and politicians ‘to stay away’ from each other. Some resist and some persist because being together is sine qua non to human nature. Lately, government has also taken the unprecedented move to invoke the police force to disperse groups of four or more people. This is evidence of the need for people to be with each other, which at times outweighs the fear of the noxious virus. [excerpt]