Which States are the Best at Social Distancing?

When 2020 began, no one could have predicted the wild spur of events that the first 4 months would entail. If someone had said the term “Social Distancing” to me in January, I and the rest of the population would be very confused. However, social distancing has become a reality that has encompassed all of our lives. In the past few weeks, protests have arisen against social distancing measures in Oregon and Michigan. Many scoff at these protests who are going against possibly life-saving precautions but also violate the social distancing protocol. This raises the question of which states in the United States are taking social distancing seriously as well as taking action to further prevent the spread of COVID-19. In a study from Unacast, CEO and co-founder, Tho

mas Walle, says that his company has collected data and created a Social Distancing Scoreboard that will “help public health experts, policymakers, academics, community leaders, and businesses”. 

The company’s graph shows which states are doing the best at social distancing by tracking citizens’ average mobility (based on distance traveled). Here are the states who are doing the best at social distancing: 

1. Nevada – B-

Nevada scored the best overall grade at Social Distancing according to the Unacast graph. Nevada has 5,053 confirmed Coronavirus cases, but has had a 40-55% reduction in Average Mobility. Nevada has also had a 65-70% decrease in Non-Essential visits and 82-94% decrease in Encounters Density Compared to the National Baseline giving Nevada the best overall grade of B-. Even though Nevada’s state economy has taken a hit due to the Coronavirus, Nevada citizens have taken the necessary precautions to stay home! 

1. Hawaii – C

Hawaii only has 618 confirmed cases and is doing a pretty good job compared to the rest of the United States of trying to decrease that number by taking social distancing seriously. Hawaii has had a 55-70% Reduction in Average Mobility, 60-65% Reduction in Non-Essential Visits, and a 40-74% Decrease in Encounters Density Compared to the National Baseline. Hawaii’s economy has also been hurt by the lack of tourists, but are social distancing and being optimistic for when the measures are lifted. 

1. District of Columbia – C

Washington D.C. has 4,323 confirmed cases and since Washington D.C. declared a state of emergency on March 22nd, 2020, it has yielded good Social Distancing scores according to Unacast. Washington D.C has had 40 – 55% Reduction in Average Mobility, Greater than 70% Reduction in Non-Essential Visits, and although their number of encounters compared to the National Baseline is a bit rough (less than 40%), the District of Columbia has overall done a great job at social distancing. 

1. Alaska – C-

Alaska only has 355 confirmed cases of COVID-19! This may be due to their greater than 94% Decrease in Encounters Density Compared to National Baseline! Although Alaska’s numbers for reduction in average mobility and reduction in non-essential visits (25-40% and less than 55%, respectively) are not as strong as their encounter decrease, Alaska has done a great job at staying away from encounters and has a high overall social distancing grade. 

1. Montana – C- 

   

Montana has 453 confirmed cases of Coronavirus and their numbers are very similar to Alaska’s. Montana has had decreases of 25 – 40% Reduction in Average Mobility, Less than 55% Reduction in Non-Essential Visits, and Greater than 94% Decrease in Encounters Density Compared to National Baseline

Until the government gives the okay, the rest of the United States should follow these states’ leads and take the necessary protocol of Social Distancing seriously to further prevent Coronavirus from spreading.