What About Those Not Giving Six Feet of Space?

April 4, 2020, 11:20 am 8.6k Views 14 Comments

Hi Edda,
 
I’ve been noticing a lot of people are not practicing social distancing while out on walks. They act defensive when others get close, but they won’t give up an inch of sidewalk to allow space to pass by. I’ve also seen parents letting their children run around with no regard to their proximity to elderly people. I don’t want to be rude, but what can I do to curb this selfish behavior?
 

Sincerely,
Staying Six Feet Away
– – –
Dear Six,
 
People are afraid.  But they are also super self-absorbed.  They think that it’s all about others not getting too close to them, not about them not getting too close to others.  In their minds, they are germ free, not infected, and feeling just fine.  And their kids?  Well, some people think their kids are just so darned cute that they are making the world better just by being out in it.  Which I ordinarily wouldn’t have a problem with.  Except that kids have no concept of disease transmission.  None at all.  That’s your job, mom and dad.
 
What to do about it is the two trillion dollar (is it really up to $2T?) question.  As we all should know by now, yelling at people does not work. They already know they’re wrong. Yelling will just make them defensive. So Edda, you say, that is not an answer.  I asked what I should do!  Calm down, Six.  I’ve made a list.
 
1. First, decide if you really need to hang out where there are other people.  You have the option of avoiding them. Okay, it’s just a suggestion.  Here are some other ideas:
 
2. Give them the look.  If you are a parent who has navigated through the teen years, you know the look I mean.
 
3. Talk loudly to yourself; more specifically to your imaginary friend. This technique works for me in almost all situations, COVID-19 or no.
 
4. Make heavy, imploring eye-contact.
 
5. Combine numbers 3&4.
 
– And most importantly –
 
6. Make sure you are not guilty of the same transgression you’re getting upset with them about.
 
Also, wash your hands.
Edda

Edda is not a medical professional but a local lady who loves to give out advice, even when it’s not asked of her. Submit your question to ed@edhat.com for Edda to answer.

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14 Comments

  1. It’s pretty hard to curb other people’s selfish behavior, especially if they are random strangers. Easier to work around it. My solution is to find a less crowded street. If you see someone coming, cross the street or turn around and go the other way, or step out into the street if it is safe (less car traffic these days!). Or you could yell: “Watch out! Infection potential!“ Let them think you’re the infected one. (Heck, you may be.)

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  3. If someone is violating your 6-ft space then call 911 and report them immediately. Be sure to follow the advice of LA mayor Eric Garcetti. The other day he said, “You know the old expression about snitches. Well, in this case, snitches get rewards. We want to thank you for turning folks in and making sure we are all safe.” Rat out the scofflaws! You know you want to.

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  7. Someone may have posted this already on Edhat. It is attributed to Einstein, but may or may not have been said by him. Nevertheless, for the purpose of this thread, I think it bears repeating: “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe!”

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  12. “Talking loudly to yourself.” Great idea. Sample dialogue for loud talking with or without cell phone. “So you got sick right after coming to my house a couple days ago? You’ve got a high fever and coughing and CAN’T BREATH? OMG. I’m beginning to feel the same. Do you think we should go to the ER. I hope we both don’t DIE from this VIRUS.”

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Way Back When: The Spanish Flu Invades Santa Barbara

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