New Jersey Gov. Phil MurphyThe governor suggested taking social distancing to a more advanced level by encouraging the use of social distancing among family members, even inside their own homes.
“If you do not need to be out, then we need you to stay at home. Please, God, stay at home. And even when you are at home, keep your distance between yourself and other family members,” Murphy said during a press conference Thursday.
This recommendation differs from the general consensus that it is appropriate for healthy family members of the same household to interact with each other during the coronavirus outbreak.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Friday coronavirus update registers a death toll of 646 with 29,895 total cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines social distancing as maintaining “a distance of at least 6 feet from others.”
It says on its website that “if you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19″, you should stay away from others “as much as possible.”
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“You should stay in a specific ‘sick room’ if possible, and away from other people in your home,” it adds. “Use a separate bathroom, if available.”
The Governor also ordered that all flags on state buildings across the Garden State be flown at half-staff indefinitely to honor coronavirus victims.
“COVID-19 has taken far too many relatives, friends, and loved ones in New Jersey,” Murphy said in a statement. “This virus has affected every corner of our state, and as we continue to work to break the back of this pandemic, we recognize those who have been lost to this terrible illness and all those affected by it. Many families cannot hold funerals for their loved ones at this time. By doing this, we remind them that their losses are not forgotten.”