Windsor woman believes more physical distancing necessary amid COVID-19 pandemic

With the recent break of COVID19, health officials are pressing the idea of staying home despite minimal exceptions such as getting fresh air or gathering household essentials.

Michelle Marentette is a 51-year-old woman who has stayed in for a month and continues to take precautions.

“If you’re out walking, you shouldn’t walk in groups or hold hands, even with your loved ones. I see people holding hands while they walk, and it’s nice and all but it’s the little things that can jeopardize it all,” Marentette said. Her belief differ from public health officials, who say physical distancing requirements don’t include people who live under the same room.

Marentette said that leaving the house for walks is a good way to get fresh air and not stay cooped up in your house, but she only stands on her porch.

“Everything that enters my home, I leave untouched for a minimum of five days,” Marentette said. “Boxes I’ve ordered off Amazon, mail and even food. My husband comes home, wipes it down, takes a shower and cleans his clothes. He’s the only one who has left the house. We sleep in extra beds to be extra safe.”

Originally it was social distancing, but the term physical distancing is becoming more common, meaning to stay two metres away or you might be ticketed.

As of April 1, the government implemented a new rule in most cities to fine individuals who are not physically distancing.

Marentette believes the implemented rules should’ve started earlier because people were not listening, but it is more severe now as more cases arise in Windsor.

She said that every time she looks out her window, it’s a mixed bag; meaning that people are still holding hands while they walk.

“I still don’t believe even if you’re in the same house, that you can’t still keep a little distancing between you and others in case someone is vulnerable,” she said.

Kelly Tran is a registered nurse in Windsor and says it’s incredibly important to keep your distance because a person can be asymptomatic but still be contagious for up to two weeks.

“When you get together with people, physical contact can highly spread the virus. And people often have the conception that it’s okay to get together with others because they believe they don’t have the virus simply because they don’t present with the symptoms.”

As of April 14, there are 349 confirmed cases in Windsor and 13 deaths.

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Video.