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What is social distancing?

There are some changes on the 13 Action News anchor desk this morning.

By: Amy Abdelsayed

Posted at 6:19 AM, Mar 16, 2020

and last updated 2020-03-16 09:55:09-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — There are some changes on the 13 Action News anchor desk this morning. Watch in the player above and you will notice Good Morning Las Vegas Anchors Ross DiMattei and Kalyna Astrinos are practicing social distancing on set! You can expect the same for 13 Action News at Midday and at 5, 6, and 11 p.m. Here's why.

WHAT IS 'SOCIAL DISTANCING?'

According to the Centers for Disease Control, social distancing simply means "avoiding crowded places and maintaining distance from others when possible."

The agency recommends keeping a distance of six feet (two meters) from others when possible, and avoiding crowded public spaces like shopping centers and stadiums.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'SOCIAL DISTANCING' AND 'QUARENTINE?'

The CDC explains:

Quarantine in general means the separation of a person or group of people reasonably believed to have been exposed to a communicable disease but not yet symptomatic, from others who have not been so exposed, to prevent the possible spread of the communicable disease.

Health experts recommend that everyone practice social distancing right now as a group effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, even if you have no reason to believe you have been exposed to the virus.

On the contrary, someone might be put into quarantine when they have been (or may have been) exposed to a communicable disease, even if they are not sick, as another way to help stop the spread of the disease, dictionary.com explains.

OFFICIALS: NO NEED TO 'PANIC BUY'

We can practice social distancing and still grocery shop!

The CDC recommends that people who are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 stock up on supplies. But for the majority of people, there is no need for excessive bulk buying.

On Sunday, officials in the Las Vegas area say there is no need for residents to empty store shelves of goods and encourage "smart buying" over "panic buying."

Clark County Commission Chairman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, Vegas Chamber President and CEO Mary Beth Sewald and Vice President of Risk Management for Truline Corp. Dave Brower got together to speak to the issue on Sunday at the amphitheater of the Clark County Government Center. Read more about that or watch the full discussion here.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR NEVADA?

Casino executives, business owners and government officials are taking steps to help follow CDC recommendations.

On Sunday, Gov. Steve Sisolak announced all Nevada schools will remain closed from March 16 until at least April 6, 2020. The school district will continue providing breakfast and lunch to students during the closure of our schools.

Hours later, he addressed the public for a second time that day and shared plans to limit the size of public gatherings, the closure of local hotel-casinos, and provide additional information about the closure of schools in Nevada.

Wynn Resorts and MGM International also each announced plans to temporarily shutdown operations to follow CDC recommendations and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.