CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle says we should be "physical," not "social" distancing.
In a public letter issued Saturday afternoon, Preckwinkle said the new terminology is "physical" because it better represents what people are actually called upon to do: maintaining virtual connection to stay engaged as a state and community as we are quarantined.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, international health experts have recommended that people practice "social" or "physical" distancing to help "flatten the curve" of COVID-19.
"We want residents to remain socially connected even as we must continue to stay physically apart," Preckwinkle said in a statement. "The World Health Organization agrees, and recently adopted this terminology."
Preckwinkle said in the days and weeks ahead, Cook County will intentionally begin using the term "physical distancing," and wants residents to do the same.
As Illinois prepares to enter Phase 3 of Pritzker's reopening plan, residents may feel antsy but officials want to remind people that safety measures still need to be obeyed.
"Let me be clear, staying home to save lives remains one of the most critical actions we can take right now, but on those rare occasions when we must step outside, or in cases where we are near others from outside our household, especially as the weather warms, it's vital that physical distancing is practiced at all times," Preckwinkle said.
