Before the nasty Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic of 2020, most of us had never heard the term “social distance”. Turns out it could be key to survival. At the very least, it’s a good way to lower our chances of contracting the virus.
What is social distancing?
In a nutshell, it means to create space between you and others. Experts recommend avoiding group sizes of more than ten people and keep a distance of six feet or more from others. The refrain from a popular 1980s Police song has been playing in my head a lot lately: “Don’t stand so close to me.”
Recently I was out giving myself a little social distance in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve when I came across this Teddy Bear Cholla that demonstrated the practice perfectly.
How to social distance like a Teddy Bear Cholla:
- Find an isolated place not likely to be frequented by people
- Claim your space and firmly plant yourself in that spot
- Extend your arms out in all directions so others know this is your space
- For added protection, toss some prickly “cholla balls” on the ground around you
- Maintain this position until officials say it’s safe to congregate with others
The Covid-19 coronavirus is no joking matter. But if laughter is the best medicine, it may help us all to look for humor in more places. I found healing on Arizona’s trails many years ago. These days I try to stay healthy with regular doses of time spent in nature, and by keeping a sense of humor. I hope you do too.
Those cactus almost seeming alive and they toss their cholla balls at you when you walk by 🙂