Covid-19 has shed light on many different facets of life that we rarely looked at in normal times. The fact of the matter is that the global pandemic has turned all of our lives upside down and it is time to really look and assess what we need in our lives, particularly how we live and interact with others. Social distancing is the new norm going forward until the world has this contagious virus under control.
Social distancing, also known as physical distancing, is the practice of keeping a safe space between yourself and other people. By keeping at least 6 feet between you and other people who are not from your household, you can reduce the spread of COVID-19. While this practice keeps us safe, it presents many challenges for social interaction. We’ve spoken many times before about how the effects of isolation and loneliness are detrimental. Social isolation increases the risk of premature death and is more detrimental than smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Furthermore, social distancing protocols across the city have limited access to social gatherings. Even with restrictions lifting, many are hesitant to return to normal.
Loneliness and isolation isn’t a new trend. Many of us don’t know our neighbours nor have the desire to know their neighbours. A 2018 study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that the majority of adults do not know their neighbours regardless of whether they lived in a rural, suburban or urban area. Older adults were more likely to know their neighbours only 15% of adults between the ages of 15 and 29 in an urban area knew their neighbours. There are many factors and facets of modern life and recent history that have contributed to these statistics but regardless we cannot ignore the ongoing and detrimental effects that these statistics bring.
We can’t ignore public health guidelines while the world is battling this global pandemic. Social distancing must be practiced to ensure our health and the health of our community and neighbours. But enforcing physical distancing measures does not mean we can’t interact socially. We live in an age where we can interact virtually. I’m sure you’ve seen Zoom Happy Hours and virtual hangouts. We can adapt and work around the new guidelines without sacrificing our social needs.
In a more long-term view, we need to invest in architecture and structures that can accommodate social interaction without compromising health guidelines. For higher density areas and apartment buildings, balconies are a great way to facilitate social interaction while social distancing. Grace Kim, an architect who specialises in cohousing, advocates for balconies to enable residents to engage in community activities while still maintaining a physical distance. “The Covid-quarantine period has demonstrated the need for personal outdoor space, like porches, balconies are a place to be in public but from a ‘safe’ and private vantage point,” Kim said.
Coliving and cohousing have many opportunities for community activities and socialisation even during the global pandemic. While these activities and events have been limited and changed to fit the new guidelines, they allow residents to socialise and maintain the community bonds between residents. Co-ownership is another way for people to create their own community within a household. We need to change our mindset. Forget about squirrelling yourself away in your own house with a 6-foot hedge to keep the outside out. We should look for opportunities to engage with our neighbours and reach out to our local area and re-build our community in a post-covid world. Our community is what will build our resilience and support network to allow us to brave these challenges that life throws at us.
Covid-19 has taught us that we need to look beyond normal life in order to facilitate and maintain our communities in this new, ever-changing landscape. We need to change the way that we used to think and foster a new community in a post-covid world.