SOCIAL DISTANCING : AS A PROFESSIONAL HURDLE
In this time of
Covid-19 pandemic, social distancing Is an unavoidable preventive measure. It
keeps people safe from catching infection. There is no alternative to it during
person to person dialogue or participation in any large gathering.
Yet, there is a problem
when a patient meets a doctor. Earlier
if a doctor checked the chest, back and blood pressure of a patient, in social
distancing norm, it is conveniently avoided and the treatment is prescribed only
on the symptoms described by the patient. While this is a professional safeguard
for the doctor, it is significantly disadvantageous to the patient.
There may be many other
professions where social distancing disallows fulsome performance of professional
duties. Here is a short professional note
related to criminal interrogation and confessions.
“The interrogator
should sit fairly close to the subject, and between the two there should be no
table, desk, or other piece of furniture. Distance or the presence of an
obstruction of any sort constitutes a serious psychological barrier and also
affords the subject a certain degree of relief and confidence not otherwise
attainable.
As to the psychological
validity of the above suggested seating arrangement, reference may be made to
the commonplace but yet meaningful expressions such as “getting next” to a
person, or the “buttonholing” of a customer by a salesman. These expressions
signify that when a person is close to another physically, he is closer to him psychologically
. Anything such as a desk or a table
between the interrogator and the subject defeats the purpose and should be
avoided.”
The upshot of whatever is said above is that
distancing such as is inevitable during the present pandemic cannot be made a
permanent feature. It will have to be treated as a temporary measure.
14th July 2020 G.R.KANWAL
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