The situation involving the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly evolving, but a recommendation that has remained consistent has been social distancing.

However, completely avoiding contact with other people is not always possible, so the Iowa Department of Public Health has begun emphasizing another initiative. Ann Cochran, Health Navigator and Public Information Officer with the Dallas County Health Department, points out that when social distancing isn’t feasible, people should still keep in mind physical distancing. “One of the things people can do is if you need to go to the store for those necessary items such as groceries, food, and other supplies, we encourage you to, as you shop, stay about the distance of two carts away from other shoppers. And then also in line — be it in line if you’re at the grocery store or perhaps you have ordered food from a restaurant and you go to pick it up — try to stay six feet away from the other persons at the business.”

Cochran adds, people should continue washing their hands, disinfecting items they frequently handle, and staying home when feeling ill, which have been the critical ways to mitigate the viral spread. To learn more about the latest on COVID-19, listen to today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.