‘We might be social distancing – but we can still say ‘hello’ to each other’

So many arrangements are in place to keep us safe from this coronavirus threat and we do well to adhere to them.

I have noticed, though, that the social distancing seems to have introduced an assumption of avoiding any social contact.

My wife and I were taking our daily exercise along the promenade this morning and most folk were keeping the sensible distance as required.

Yet no one seemed to be speaking with one another – eyes fixed forward, downward, upward, anywhere but towards any other person.

When I ventured a ‘good morning’ people seemed to jump as if I had suddenly appeared from space!

I began to become amused by this, so started speaking often; it was fun. Yet some (of our older generation) did respond as if ‘Oh, someone has noticed me. I am a human being’.

Come on, Worthing. Stay safe; keep the right distance, but don’t lose touch with one another.

A smile, a ‘good morning’ means so much.