"If you can smell their fart, you're not far…

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic brought on social distancing suggestions.

“If you can smell their fart, you’re not far enough apart” is a message that was posted on a board of the Lebanon (ME) Fire-EMS Department, Station 2, on March 19, 2020. “If you can smell their fart You’re not far enough apart—Lebanon, ME Fire EMS” was posted on Twitter by Cindy Smith on March 19, 2020.

The saying has been printed on many images.

Wikipedia: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019, and was recognised as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020.

Reddit—Maine
Posted by u/jimmyb207 March 19, 2020
Lebanon Maine, Yessah
(A photo of the sign is shown.—ed.)

Twitter
norvell we trust
@seminolejacobm
Rule of thumb: If you can smell their fart you’re not far enough apart.
1:29 PM · Mar 19, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Cindy Smith
@CindyS8888
If you can smell their fart
You’re not far enough apart
—Lebanon, ME Fire EMS
1:51 PM · Mar 19, 2020·Twitter Web App

Twitter
I’m Dah Fire Dude
@TOffroader
If you can smell their fart, you’re not far enough apart.
#SocialDistanacing
6:08 PM · Mar 19, 2020·Twitter for Android

Twitter
Alvis Harding Jr.
@alvisharding
Seen on a Fire-EMS station sign.
If you can smell their fart
You’re not far enough apart
#coronavirus #COVID19 #COVID19usa
8:41 AM · Mar 20, 2020·Twitter Web App

WCYY (Portland, ME)
A Maine Fire Department Has A Perfect Social Distancing Test Suggestion
Joey
March 20, 2020
Reddit via jimmyb207
(...)
Shared on Reddit by jimmyb207, that’s just the kind of sign that you drive past and say “never really thought of that but they’re damn right”. For the record, there’s no scientific data that supports the theory that if you can smell someone’s fart, you’re not far enough apart. But sometimes we don’t need science to know that if you catch a smell, better run like hell.

Twitter
Moses Khazzaka
@MosesKhazzaka
If you can smell their fart, you’re not far enough apart #StayHomeCanada
3:53 PM · Mar 22, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Patipelado Coleccionista Chadwick
@jotaped
IF YOU CAN SMELL THEIR FART
YOU’RE NOT FAR ENOUGH APART
6:55 AM · Mar 25, 2020·Twitter for Android

Fast Company
03-26-20 CORONAVIRUS
Mom spreads a little joy for overworked Walmart employees with hilarious Post-it notes
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how much we need levity right now. An Ohio woman did her part by thanking grocery store workers with a series of cheeky notes.
BY KC IFEANYI
(...)
One note on a row of Gas-X tablets read: “If you can smell their fart, you’re not far enough apart.”

Twitter
Da self-quarantined Vampy Purple heart Vampangel
@iVampyVampy
Image: sign that reads “If you can smell their fart, you’re not far enough apart.” #SocialDistanacing
Quote Tweet
kjn, but he’s a gray ghost Rainbow flag
@crazy_catdude
· Mar 26
My Dad sent this to me Rolling on the floor laughing #SocialDistanacing
2:49 PM · Mar 26, 2020·Twitter Web App

Twitter
EP Business Journal
@epbusiness
Veterinarians say the best jokes: “If you can smell their fart, you’re not far enough apart.” Great social distancing measure for today’s COVID-19 Pandemic. Photo of Eagle Pass Veterinary Diagnostic Hospital in Eagle Pass, Texas.
9:56 PM · Apr 2, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
@Hessco1
#quarantinequotes If you can smell their fart you’re not far enough apart.
6:06 PM · Apr 20, 2020·Twitter for Android

Twitter
Jennifer Lock
@mommanollama
If you can smell their fart you’re not far enough apart #QuarantineQuotes
10:25 PM · Apr 22, 2020·Twitter for Android

“If you can smell their fart, you’re not far enough apart” (social distancing)