ABSTRACT
Summary: Some of the conceptual nuances of social distancing as a response to the pandemic are raised. In particular, the distinction between active and preventive treatment is noted, the part played by modelling is outlined, potential social transformations are considered, and the older sociological sense of the phrase is recalled. A discussion on the reliability of statistics follows. Other implications of social distancing are also picked up thereafter, in terms of language usage, political interests, and demographic features. An attempt to classify the principal kinds of political responses to Covid-19 is made at the end of the chapter.
