Social distancing is preventing more than just the spread of COVID-19.
The months that residents across the commonwealth have spent relatively hunkered down, keeping to themselves, and following a stricter hygiene regimen have also led to a dropoff in other, more common illnesses, according to Gov. Charlie Baker.
“Because people are doing such a good job in Massachusetts for the most part, around wearing masks and distancing and all that sort of thing, ear infections, sore throats, strep throats, traditional respiratory infections — a whole bunch of things separate and apart from COVID — are just way down,” Baker said during a press conference on the state’s pandemic response Wednesday.