Coronavirus: How to Talk About it

How can we describe life in the time of Coronavirus? Here is a guide to words and phrases which are used in the UK and the US to talk about the COVID-19 crisis.


Social Distancing

This is the practice of avoiding crowds of people, handshakes, and so on. You can still go outside, but you have to keep your distance from others.

Self-isolation

Someone who is self-isolating stays at home as much as possible. It is more extreme than social distancing. If you are self-isolating, you only see the people you live with.

Quarantine

If you are quarantined or in quarantine you avoid any contact with the people you live with to prevent yourself from spreading a disease, which you may or may not have. It is more extreme than self-isolation. Someone in quarantine should have their own bedroom, bathroom, towels, and cutlery.
Pronounced kwo·ruhn·teen

WFH

This means work from home. Many offices and businesses are closed, and some people are losing their jobs. If you are lucky, you can work remotely. "Work from home" is more common than "home office". Home office means the room where you work.

Lockdown

If an area is on lockdown, it means that places are closed and people cannot move freely. Governments across Europe have announced lockdowns, and police have the power to make people return to their homes. People can still leave their homes to see a doctor or buy food.


"Flatten the Curve"

Governments are telling people to avoid contact with each other so that the speed of infection slows down. If people keep seeing each other, there will be a lot more cases of Coronavirus much faster, which will create a big curve on the graph of cases. Help flatten the curve!

"Key Worker"

Key workers are the people with important jobs during the crisis. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as people growing and selling food, stacking the supermarket shelves, and keeping the transport system going.


Have you noticed new words during the crisis? Are you still practicing your English? Please ask me if you have any questions about the new language surrounding this pandemic.

March 27, 2020
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Natalie

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Hi! I'm Natalie, I'm a qualified ESL teacher living in London, born and raised in England. I also have a degree in English and American literature, and I specialise in teaching intermediate and advanced students. Book a trial lesson if you want to practise English in a fun, interesting and conversational way. I encourage my students to talk about their passions, and I'm ready to correct or guide you as much as you want. I *always* plan lessons based on *your* needs and interests, so tell me about yourself, your English goals and your hobbies - this one-on-one time is all about giving you the exact help you need, in a way which is relevant to your life. Ask Me About: - Advanced written English - British culture and media - My language learning experience (I can speak German and some Spanish!) My qualifications: - 120-hour CELTA teaching certificate with real classroom experience - 200+ lessons on Verbling. On average, my students book more than 15 sessions with me. - Undergraduat...
Flag
English
globe
United Kingdom
time
252
Speaks:
English
Native
,
German
C2
,
Spanish
B1
,
Swedish
Hi! I'm Natalie, I'm a qualified ESL teacher living in London, born and raised in England. I also have a degree in English and American literature, and I specialise in teaching intermediate and advanced students. Book a trial lesson if you want to practise English in a fun, interesting and conversational way. I encourage my students to talk about their passions, and I'm ready to correct or guide you as much as you want. I *always* plan lessons based on *your* needs and interests, so tell me about yourself, your English goals and your hobbies - this one-on-one time is all about giving you the exact help you need, in a way which is relevant to your life. Ask Me About: - Advanced written English - British culture and media - My language learning experience (I can speak German and some Spanish!) My qualifications: - 120-hour CELTA teaching certificate with real classroom experience - 200+ lessons on Verbling. On average, my students book more than 15 sessions with me. - Undergraduat...
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