Baltimore County Police Demonstrate Social Distancing

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — For those who are not sure how far apart they should be from others to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, health experts advise keeping 6 feet of distance.

But what exactly does that look like?

To solidify it in people's minds, the Baltimore County Police Department shared the above picture of its vehicles lined up.

"If you must leave home for an essential reason, please keep a minimum of 6 ft between yourself and others," the Baltimore County Police Department posted on Facebook. "To help visualize, think of that as the width of a parking space, which on average is around 9ft - plenty of room to help #FlattenTheCurve."

The idea of flattening the curve is slowing the transmission of an illness. One way to do that is by social distancing, or purposefully increasing the physical space between people to prevent the spread of an infectious disease.

Maintaining 6 feet of distance from others when possible, avoiding mass gatherings and staying out of congregate settings are ways the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends practicing social distancing.

To ensure people are taking steps like this to stop spreading the virus, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has issued multiple executive orders that encourage social distancing, such as prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people and closing theaters, bars, dine-in restaurants, casinos and enclosed shopping malls.

A Charles County man was charged with two counts of failing to comply with the governor's emergency order after he had two large bonfires this past week, one on March 22 and another on March 27, that had about 60 people in attendance, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Office.

The 41-year-old is the only one to be arrested for violating the order, which has also resulted in 277 calls to state and local law enforcement for reports of businesses or individuals not in compliance with the order, Maryland State Police said in a statement Sunday night. Since Tuesday, police reported troopers made more than 5,200 business and crowd compliance checks. While most were in compliance, police said those who were not were given warnings and follow-up communication.

Violating the governor's order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people is a misdemeanor punishable by a $5,000 fine, up to a year in prison or both.

The entire idea behind the order is to protect people from getting sick.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a virus "spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes," according to the CDC. "These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs."

Experts at the CDC recommend doing the following to stop the spread of the virus:

• Put distance between yourself and others (at least 6 feet).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The new coronavirus can lead to fever, cough or shortness of breath. The CDC launched a symptom checker for those concerned they may be infected.

Infected individuals may have mild symptoms, no symptoms or severe complications such as pneumonia, organ failure and death, the CDC reports.

Because there is no vaccine, the CDC advises the best way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to it.

One man in Baltimore County died from the coronavirus, officials reported March 20. In Maryland, at least 15 deaths were attributed to the virus as of Sunday night, according to the Maryland Department of Health, which reported 1,239 cases in the state as of Sunday morning.

See the CDC's coronavirus disease situation summary for more about the illness.