Continuing the 'word' theme from yesterday, I was wondering who first came up with the term 'social distance'? It's an odd term, isn't it? Something of an oxymoron. It would surely be better termed 'antisocial distance'. Yet we have become familiar with it since last February and now it trips off our tongues, usually said with implied "quotation marks" around it, to signify that it is still not really normal behaviour, as in 'We went for a "socially distanced" walk'.
The footbridge over the River Aire between Saltaire and Roberts Park has had signs at either end for some time now. 'KEEP LEFT, maintain social distance, cyclists dismount'. Does anyone take any notice? Not really!
Perhaps in times to come a photo like this will be a poignant historic reminder of 'the virus days' we endured in 2020, much as we wonder nowadays at the vinegar stone outside Eyam. See HERE for the story of how in 1666 the villagers of Eyam in the Derbyshire Peak District agreed voluntarily to cut themselves off completely from outside contact to prevent the spread of plague, the Black Death, which had come to the village in fleas in a bale of cloth from London. Supplies were left for the villagers at the boundary, and coins in payment were placed in a stone, in holes filled with vinegar to disinfect them. A sad though fascinating tale, immortalised in a novel 'Year of Wonder' by Geraldine Brooks (which I recommend).
I wonder if there will be novels written in the future about this pandemic. There must surely be enough material there.
We homo sapiens are astonishing. Capable of the meanest, most savage act in an insatiable lust for power (see religious strife over the centuries) we can also provide heroism, gentleness and total self sacrifice for our fellow man. We are a strange lot.
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteI think even movies about the pandemuc are in or near production.The entertainment industry doesn't skip a social beat. I have the feeling the signs will be up longer than need be.
I hope to forget the past year at some point.
ReplyDeleteWhile I strive to abide by the rules about being careful in this current pandemic, I too dislike some of the terminology, which to me is more annoying then anything. When outdoors walking, I do not wear a mask as most times there is no one even close to 6 feet or more. And, yes, I have seen many similar signs within a local park.
ReplyDelete