Do you know any stories (books, films, TV) where people have to stay away from each other to save each other?

I think there was a (science fiction?) movie with this message. For some reason, all humans would have to isolate themselves for a short time to save the planet but can't really remember any details.

What comes close is the "His Dark Materials" trilogy of novels whereat the end you have the two lovers Lyra and Will who have to decide to never meet again and close all barriers between their two universes to save all existence.

^Spoiler alert.

Asimov's Spacers would maybe fit in here.

newolder wrote:^Spoiler alert.

Sorry, corrected. I had expected everyone here would know the "Atheist Bible" in and out

NineBerry wrote:...

Sorry, corrected. I had expected everyone here would know the "Atheist Bible" in and out

No worries, I'm over reacting to a lot of things these days. Can't imagine why that should be.

newolder wrote:
No worries, I'm over reacting to a lot of things these days. Can't imagine why that should be.

Not enough weed?

There was one Asimov novel (The naked sun) which was a detective story based on a planet where the wealthy had embraced distance as a status symbol associated with large properties (Texas ranch style), living far from each other, socializing via hologram projection, and abhorring physical contact.

There was a murder, which was inconceivable, as it appeared to involve direct personal physical violence.

This was in complete contrast to Earth, where everyone lived in domed or underground cities, and never ventured outside, eventually reaching the stage where the entire population were agoraphobic.

The European Space Agency has a range of social distancing mugs.

Zombie films/TV programmes - lots of social distancing in those.