The Efficacy Of Social Distancing In The Fight Against Corona Virus (covid19) In Nigeria
[A CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN OSUN STATE]

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The outbreak of corona virus (COVID-19) has caused so much instability in Nigeria. The federal government of Nigeria has since been looking for how best to control the spread of the infection. First there is an implementation of contact tracing to curb the spread but using contact tracing alone might not really give the desired result in the ability of the country to control the spread of corona virus (COVID-19) in Nigeria. The federal government of Nigeria through the ministry of health brought about social distancing. 

Social distancing seems to be an effective measure to curb the spread of the corona virus disease (COVID-19). In accordance with determining active case finding and testing, and in synergy with other measures such as physical distancing, it is recommended in all transmission scenarios. 

Social distancing combined with good respiratory hygiene and hand washing are considered the most feasible way to reduce or delay a pandemic that is on course. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) described social distancing as a set of “methods for reducing frequency and closeness of contact between people in order to decrease the risk of transmission of disease”. 

In the course of the 2019-2020 coronavirus pandemic, the CDC revised the definition of social distancing as “remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately six feet or two meters) from others when possible”. Therefore, in basic terms, social distancing entails physical distancing. The key reason for physical distancing is to reduce the spread of the virus by contact. WHO elucidates that the instance an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets containing the virus are deposited on objects and surfaces where people may likely touch and as such anyone in close proximity of about 1-2 meters may be at risk. When appropriate physical distance is maintained, the potential to contract and spread of the virus is reduced [3]. Each country affected by the pandemic has reported similar narratives of social, cultural or religious gatherings where large numbers of people spent extended hours in close proximity promoted the spread of the pandemic. People around the world have not taken physical distancing seriously, and this seems to also be the case in Nigeria. When Italy witnessed its first cases of corona virus, “physical distancing” was not one of the measures required by their government, consequently, the population continued with close physical interactions which led to widespread community transmission of the virus.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The corona virus (COVID19) is one of the greatest challenges the world has experienced in the 21st century. The outbreak of this disease has claimed lives and crippled the economy of the most countries (developed and developing and underdeveloped). The social and physical distancing rule has been used by most countries to control the spread of the corona virus (COVID19) disease. The Nigeria government has also adopted the use of social distancing as a means to control the spread of the corona virus disease; however the implementation of the social distancing rule tend to be difficult in Nigeria because of people must go out to make ends meet. States like Lagos, Osun have high level of commercial activities on daily bases; this might affective the social distancing rule. Lastly there have been series of studies on corona virus diseases but not even a single study is based on the efficacy of social distancing in the fight against corona virus (COVID19) in Nigeria 

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the study is to determine the efficacy of social distancing in the fight against corona virus (COVID19) in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are:

1. to determine the level of adherence to the rule of social distancing as a means to control the spread of corona virus (COVID19) in some local governments in Osun state

2. to examine whether the use of social distancing is effective in the fight against the corona virus (COVID19) in local governments in Osun state 

3. to investigate the factors affecting the efficacy of social distancing in the fight against the corona virus (COVID19) in local governments in Osun state

4. to recommend ways to effectively implement the social distancing rule in curbing the spread of corona virus (COVID19) in local governments in Osun state