I’m not trying to suggest that I’m ahead of the curve or anything, but I’ve been practicing social distancing for four years now, although it might be more accurate to say that people have been practicing it around me.
However you want to characterize it, let’s just say I tend to be given a wide berth when I’m out in the community, and before you go down that road, it’s got nothing to do with personal hygiene or disdain for the fifth estate. Instead, it’s due to the fact that I’m often navigating the sidewalks of Ladner with a 100-pound German Shepherd-mix on the end of the leash.
It doesn’t matter that she’s scared of her own shadow, to say nothing of ceiling fans, brooms, garbage bags and any number of other household items, but to those that don’t know her, Lacey can look menacing, so much so that some people do whatever’s necessary to steer clear.
So now that everyone is doing exactly that to everyone else, you’ve all joined my world, the one where you step off the curb to yield the sidewalk or you take a couple of steps in the other direction so there’s enough room between all parties to ensure a safe passing distance.
Given I’ve had much practice in this regard, I have to say it’s not that difficult and most people seem to be catching on fairly quickly. I was walking along Arthur Drive last week when a mother and young son went to the extent of hiding behind a tree rather than get anywhere near us, although I can’t be entirely sure if it was the dog or the virus that was making them do so.
Regardless, it’s heartening that the vast majority of people are heeding the message and keeping at least two metres apart from one another as we do all we can to flatten the curve and return to some sense of normalcy in the not too distant future. It took a while for some to get on board, and there’s still a few who aren’t quite there yet, but it’s clear by the actions I’m seeing out there that people are recognizing the scope and seriousness of the virus.
So, if you’re not already practicing social distancing because of some misguided notion, then I’ve got something else that might make you want to keep your distance: Just imagine everyone you pass has a long leash with a big black dog at the end of it.
