As New Jersey and other states reach a critical point in the fight to mitigate — and hopefully contain — the coronavirus outbreak, organizations and governments now have to grapple with how much social contact is acceptable.

The term thrown around this week is “social distancing” and it’s being implemented all over the country: the cancellation of South By Southwest in Austin, the Ivy League Conference basketball tournament, as well as universities shifting to virtual lectures and telling students to stay home.

But what does social distancing actually mean, and can it really slow down a virus that has infected more than 113,000 people worldwide and killed more than 4,000 (including one death in New Jersey).

What is social distancing? How is it different from quarantining?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), social distancing is a tactic used to keep people from interacting closely or frequently enough to spread an infectious disease. Classes may be cancelled. Parades may be postponed. Churches may close or restrict some activities, such as communion. Movie theaters, music festivals and other large-scale gatherings like sporting events may also be affected.

Social distancing can also be an individual act such as avoiding public transportation or staying in on the weekends.

Social distancing differs from isolation and quarantining in that both the latter practices involve people who are already infected. Isolation separates them infected people from people who are healthy. Quarantining isolates and restricts the movements of people who may have come in contact with an infected individual, according to the CDC.

How effective is social distancing in preventing COVID-19?

Social distancing can be effective, but within reason, experts say.

“In hospitals we isolate patients and take precautions when we provide care and that works,” Dr. Suzanne Willard, said Associate Dean of Global Health at Rutgers School of Nursing. “And hand washing is still the best. Social distancing is an informal way to quarantine.”

Dr. Willard said to pay attention to local health and crisis experts about best practices when it comes to public life and large-scale social events.

Historically, social distancing has helped slow the spread, or “flatten the curve” of an illness. The Washington Post notes that during the flu pandemic of 1918, a strict social distancing program put in place in St. Louis proved effective in reducing fatalities and keeping hospitals from becoming overrun.

What are effective ways to implement social distancing?

Keeping your physical distance from others doesn’t completely rule out the possibility of infecting others. Here are some ways to ensure your are effectively practicing social distancing — that don’t involve becoming completely anti-social — according to the University of Chicago’s Department of Safety and Security:

• Adhere to public health hygienic recommendations by washing your hands after touching commonly used items or coming into contact with someone who is sick.
• Proper hand washing involves scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth and avoid rubbing your eyes.
• Practice proper coughing or sneezing etiquette.
• Properly dispose of anything that comes in contact with your mouth such as tissues or plastic eating utensils.
• Avoid coming in contact with individuals displaying symptoms of illness.
• If working in close proximity to other individuals, attempt to keep a distance of approximately three feet from the nearest person while working.

What kinds of events should I be avoiding?

Experts agree that both the size of the crowd and how close the quarters are should be considered when practicing social distancing. Jeanne Marrazzo, the director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, told Washington Post that attending small events, like a concert at a small jazz club, are less necessary to avoid, but a wedding with 200 people eating and drinking in close proximity could present more risk.

“It really comes down to how much people are sharing personal space and the extent to which people can trust that others who attend an event will stay home if they aren’t feeling well," the Post wrote.

Tennyson Donnie Coleman may be reached at tcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @TennysonTV. Find him on Facebook. Have a tip? Let us know at nj.com/tips.