Social distancing refers to the practice of maintaining a distance (the CDC recommends at least six feet) between you and other people. The reason that government officials are shutting down schools and businesses is to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Reducing the number of people you come into contact with will significantly reduce the spread of coronavirus in the general population. This is because the coronavirus is transmitted through respiratory droplets generated when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes, and these droplets typically extend anywhere from 3 to 6 feet. Anyone who breathes in these droplets, or comes into contact with them through their eyes, nose or mouth is at risk of getting infected.