Hats with pool noodles, enormous shoes and capes made of tent poles. This is what people are using to stay apart.
This is the era of keeping back. If you are truly seeking to avoid catching the coronavirus when going out, social distancing is important to practice. You just never know who may be sick. When things get crowded however, how can you make sure you keep everyone at least six feet away from your eyes, nose and mouth? How can you truly protect those dicey viral entrance points? Taking a step back from others sends a strong signal. Some people politely remind those around them that while they do want to hang out, we all need some extra space. But there are always those who simply forget to do this. And others who refuse to conform. It is for these people that special devices have been developed. These things really won’t let you forget about what’s going on.
Check out these five social distancing devices that are working hard to keep the public COVID-free.
Related: How to Remove Your Gloves and Other PPE
Chinese Social Distancing Hats
When elementary students at Yangzheng School in Hangzhou in China went back to school following the pandemic in their area, it was not business as usual. Students were instructed by their principal to make their own creative one meter hat, in order to ensure they all stayed an adequate distance apart. The hats are said to be reminiscent of those worn by Chinese officials at court during the Song Dynasty, which were also used to keep the officials separated. No one wanted officials to be conspiring with each other in the moment, and the hats prevented this from happening. They probably didn’t catch each other’s sniffles, either.
Timely Pool Noodles
Well, if everyone is doing it, it’s not so bad, right? A cafe in Germany is having its patrons wear straw hats with pool noodles affixed to the top. People are said to be loving the ridiculousness, and customers are now appropriately spaced out. Hopefully the whole thing doesn’t feel too heavy on their heads.
Related: Staying Sane: 5 Bits of Advice for Front Line Workers From the WHO
Minimum Distance Umbrellas
Not everyone wishes to walk around looking like a styrofoam helicopter, which is understandable. A town in India has come up with an alternative way to approach the problem. The Thanneermukkom village in the Alappuzha district of Kerala is now said to be using umbrellas to keep people apart. It’s all part of an initiative entitled The Break the Chain Umbrella Project put in place by Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac, and about 10,000 umbrellas are being donated to local residents. Hey, it’s worth a try.
Keep-Away Shoes
Yes, you can even use your feet to keep people away. Grigore Lup, a cobbler in Romania, is contributing his effort to the pandemic by making enormous shoes. His extra-long footwear goes up to a European size 75, and is said to run about $115 per pair. When two people stand facing each other, both wearing the shoes, they will be forced to remain about 5 feet (1.5 meters) apart, he says. Truly functional.
Tent Pole Hoop
It is true that you cannot ensure you are six feet away at all times from the people you cannot see. That’s where this tent pole hoop made by a man in the US comes in handy. It may prove to be a bit cumbersome when walking around the park, but who’s complaining.
photo credits: Josie Elias/Shutterstock.com
