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When a person who has COVID-19 coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the disease. To avoid that, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises maintaining at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Some of us, however, don't get it and aren't following these guidelines.

To teach them how it's done, Bored Panda has compiled a list of photos that show animals "practicing" social distancing in the face of the pandemic. From pigeons and seagulls to cats and moose, if everyone behaved like these critters, we would flatten the curve way quicker!

Intrestingly, some animals, for example, chimpanzees and honeybees, do take measures to prevent the spread of disease. The two species can be really ruthless when it comes to ousting the sick.

Bacterial diseases that strike honeybee colonies, like American foulbrood, are particularly threatening to them, liquifying honeybee larvae from the inside. "That's where the name comes from, that brown gooey mess. It smells very, very foul," Alison McAfee, a postdoctoral fellow with North Carolina State University's Entomology and Plant Pathology department, told National Geographic.

#2

Cats Get It

Cats Get It

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varwenea
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They do this even before social distancing became a norm.

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Big Blue Cat
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Come to Finland, we do this all the time, not just because of the virus. It seems to be in our genes. Or maybe we all are cats?

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Mummi
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was just about to say how they make me think of Finnish people! =)

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Musashi
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would a cat want to sit down with a strange cat? Now *that* would be weird. "This is mine. Get your own **** bench."

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Theherplover
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a park service, the cats always go and sit there so anyone who sits on a bench will get a cat to pet!

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glowworm2
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just a regular witches' meeting held at the park every weekend.

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M Rampal
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good. would like to use in a video being produced to promote social distanigng.Hope meets your approval. thankks. mkrampal@yahoo.com

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Rudolph Furtado
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the absence of humans due to "CORONAVIRUS WORLD WAR -3" these benches are reserved for CATS.

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Elsie Collins
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BEING TERRITORIAL COMES IN HANDY AT TIMES LIKE THIS!!! WE COUD LEARN A LOT FROM CATS!!

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Rã. R. Field
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All black cats, the highest in protecting from what is known as the ‘evil eye’... dangerous entities... perhaps this block of places requires extra protection for REAL 😳

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katboxjanitor
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Felines typically have their own social boundaries, just for other reasons.

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Michael Krog
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet cats are surprised that humans just started following their way of life(social distancing)

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Kylie Stovall
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it is strange that they are all black cats and they all know social distancing

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Stan Brooks
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have cohabited with two black cats, a male and a female. I have always hoped for them to be friends. This photo in half is what I get. Still beautiful and enigmatic friends though.

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Lorrie Finley
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cats are very intelligent creatures. Humans should pay attention.

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Infected larvae emit telltale chemicals that older bees are able to smell, like oleic acid and β-ocimene, a bee pheromone, according to McAfee's research. Immediately after identifying them, the bees will physically toss these diseased members from the hive, she said.

#3

CAT-Cial Distancing In Japan

CAT-Cial Distancing In Japan

Tokumori_SAIZU Report

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Kanga9ine
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Social Distance, patience, and not a single incident of panic and the hoarding of kitty litter.

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In 1966, as she was studying chimpanzees in Tanzania, Jane Goodall observed a chimp named McGregor who had contracted polio, caused by a highly contagious virus.

His fellow chimps attacked him, casting McGregor out of the troop. Partially paralyzed, McGregor even approached a few chimps grooming in a tree. He reached out a hand in greeting, but the others quickly moved away.

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#4

Meanhwhile In Poland

Meanhwhile In Poland

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"For a full two minutes old [McGregor] sat motionless, staring after them," Goodall noted in her 1971 book In the Shadow of Man.

Goodall mentioned other instances of ostracized, polio-ridden chimps during her research as well, though highlighted that in some cases, infected individuals were eventually welcomed back into the group.

Chimpanzees are visual creatures. They're like humans in this regard. According to some research, the initial stigma toward polio-infected individuals may be caused by fear and disgust of their disfigurement—which is a form of avoiding catching the disease that causes such deformations.

So as you can see, social distancing is not a new concept in the natural world!

#7

This Dog From Local News Is Practicing Social Distancing

This Dog From Local News Is Practicing Social Distancing

redvakho Report

#8

Even Dogs Respect And Understand Social Distancing

Even Dogs Respect And Understand Social Distancing

Ramesh_BJP Report

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#10

Peacokcks Know How To

Peacokcks Know How To

vernaculartube Report

#12

This Aussie Heard About Social Distancing, Cat Didn't

This Aussie Heard About Social Distancing, Cat Didn't

Beamspex Report

#14

My Friends Cats Have This Social Distancing Malarkey Figured Out

My Friends Cats Have This Social Distancing Malarkey Figured Out

verksies Report

#15

Social Ducktancing

Social Ducktancing

zhandercayabyab Report

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Ninja Kitty
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if they are looking out at a pond, are they watching humans in the lake?!?!?

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#16

Social Distancing Is The Key

Social Distancing Is The Key

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Ninja Kitty
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now, JUST in case some people were curious about what the sign meant, it says, "it looks like its all around 2020!".

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#17

Doing Our Part To Keep Apart

Doing Our Part To Keep Apart

lotsoflovelindy Report

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Theherplover
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Demonstration dogs, demo dogs, demodogs, (dog=gorgon) demogorgon... LOOKOUT

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#18

These Dogs In Dumaguete Know What Social Distancing Means

These Dogs In Dumaguete Know What Social Distancing Means

patricktevespinili Report

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#20

Cats Practicing Social Distancing (Karachi, Pakistan)

Cats Practicing Social Distancing (Karachi, Pakistan)

maulajutt27 Report

#21

It's Heartwarming To See Everyone Taking Social Distancing Seriously

It's Heartwarming To See Everyone Taking Social Distancing Seriously

myAFredditaccount Report

#22

Social Distancing With My Frenemy Tilly

Social Distancing With My Frenemy Tilly

ginjeybear Report

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Ceredwyn Ealanta
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That birman looks identical to my elderly old boy who's about 16 now. Birmans are so gorgeous.

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#24

Social Distancing In Wynyard. Bin Chickens Show Backpackers How It's Done

Social Distancing In Wynyard. Bin Chickens Show Backpackers How It's Done

SirBoboGargle Report

#25

Social Distancing

Social Distancing

my_lo_kitty Report

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Gale Vester
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

‘Aw, unfair! We need to “shop for groceries” just like people do!’

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