Data Visualization: How Close Was Too Close Before the Virus

(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Social distancing in the time of Covid-19 mandates we stand at least 6 feet apart — a strange new habit that shines a light on how close our usual social interactions are.

In 2017, researchers asked 8,943 people in 42 countries how close they could get to three types of people — strangers, acquaintances and intimates — before feeling uncomfortable. The results indicate that Romanians require the greatest personal space, and Argentinians the least. However, it may surprise Brits to learn they share a similar radius of comfort to Brazilians, and Americans to learn how close they are (literally) to Italians and Russians.

-- Ben Schott is a Bloomberg Opinion visual columnist.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners.

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