Social distancing, physical distancing, self-quarantining: Other species use similar tactics to reduce transmission of diseases

Social distancing has been identified as one of the key approaches to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in the pandemic.

From “self-quarantine” to “flattening the curve”, Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H. , Senior Director of Infection Prevention at Johns Hopkins, clarifies also what social distancing and/or physical distancing means and why it’s being recommended.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-social-distancing-and-self-quarantine

"As communities reopen and people are more often in public, the term “physical distancing” (instead of social distancing) is being used to reinforce the need to stay at least 6 feet from others, as well as wearing face masks. Historically, social distancing was also used interchangeably to indicate physical distancing which is defined below. However, social distancing is a strategy distinct from the physical distancing behavior.

Physical distancing is the practice of staying at least 6 feet away from others to avoid catching a disease such as COVID-19.

As noted above, “social distancing” is a term that was used earlier in the pandemic as many people stayed home to help prevent spread of the virus. Now as communities are reopening and people are in public more often, physical distancing is used to stress the importance of maintaining physical space when in public areas."

As the title of the article states "From lobsters to honey bees, social distancing is common in the animal kingdom" by Lucy Hicks, other species also use social/physical distancing and self-quarantine as important tactics to reduce the transmission of diseases.

I think both articles/interviews are definitely thought-provoking just as Lucy points out in the interview...are there any lessons for us?

"For me, a big takeaway is that social distancing works. Anytime we see a behavior that has evolved again and again in unrelated types of animals, that’s a signal that even though social distancing is a very costly behavior, the benefits clearly outweigh the costs."

Thanks to Lisa and Lucy for the article/interview and insights shared.