Yes, properly social distancing can be a lonely and difficult task (perhaps moreso for some of us than for others), but we should all know by now that it is absolutely necessary to avoid a large(r)-scale outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Canada.

2/6 Prevention is hard work, it takes time to #PlanktheCurve and we can’t count cases we’ve prevented but we know it must done. #COVID19 #TeamCanada #SocialDistancing #Strongertogether

— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) March 23, 2020

Officials and citizens alike have been expressing concern about select people — dubbed "covidiots" — who continue to defy the social distancing guidelines by gathering en masse in parks, visiting with friends or going out and about shortly after international travel.

Some governments have even considered invoking fines or arresting those who don't listen.

Thankfully, it seems that the majority of Canadians are finally getting the message of how important the measure of self-isolation is right now —residents are even sharing accounts of how empty streets across the country are becoming.

I walked to the grocery store this morning in Calgary, Canada. The streets were empty, cafes and restaurants were closed, people were keeping their distance at the store. We have the 3rd highest testing in the world.
I'm pretty proud of us 🇨🇦

— Graham Louden (@gafdog) March 21, 2020

The fact that most non-essential businesses have been temporarily shuttered by provincial governments or by choice at this point is surely a huge factor in the recent quiet.

While so many people are home, @Ben_Nelms and @MaggieMac89 have been out in the Vancouver area shooting these incredible photos of how society changed overnight. I wonder what we will think someday when we look back on these. pic.twitter.com/CGtT3kqExp

— Andrea Ross (@_rossandrea) March 24, 2020

The weather not quite reaching springlike temperatures yet helps, too.

COVID-19 empties out Calgary streets
https://t.co/tFdSvkuF2N

— News SummedUp Canada (@summedupcanada) March 24, 2020

But, it's still nice to think that more people are actually trying to follow the rules.

#toronto #streetscene #StayAtHome Empty streets in the core of Canada's largest city. #photography #blackandwhitephotography #monochrome pic.twitter.com/CZ8jYXCwQI

— James Anok 🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈🇵🇹🇪🇺 (@ThetaState) March 23, 2020

Parks have been shown to have no foot traffic for as far as the eye can see. Major streets, too.

The view from my office today. Normally this parking lot is full. Feels eerily quiet here. #montreal #essentialservice pic.twitter.com/Bljn1EHjNU

— Gina Ressler (@ginaressler) March 24, 2020

People have also noticed a lack of people on public transportation in cities where it is usually crammed full, like Toronto and Montreal.

I'm in canada & wrking for a bank we are needed helping clients with financial questions. So alot of us are still working. I can say a lot of Montrealers have abided by the 14 stay inside rule and most of the streets and public transportation is empty makes me feel better

— StephP❤Donniesvalentines❤ (@mrspanetta) March 20, 2020

"I work in an essential service and when I’m out the streets are virtually empty," one Twitter user shared. "People are taking this seriously."

"I’m in Vancouver, Canada for the night... Airplane was empty, customs empty, streets empty," another noticed.

I’m used to seeing the streets of Ottawa empty, but usually not until 5:00. pic.twitter.com/ZUUTNiZpGz

— Eric Neudorf (@EricNeudorf) March 23, 2020

Recent photos of usually bustling locations such as Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square and Kensington Market show them to be completely uninhabited — admittedly eerie, but a good sign.

With this virus small businesses take a massive hit. The streets are empty (see pic 2). Be sure to support small businesses when this has subsided 🇨🇦#Canada #yeg #coronavirus #edmonton #COVID19 #edmontonfood #theparlouryeg pic.twitter.com/NQq3z5233b

— Bry (@mincanada) March 23, 2020

Some residents are drawing a comparison between Canada's empty streets and still-busy locations in the U.K. and the U.S., the latter of which is struggling to adequately address its COVID-19 situation.

Walking to an eye doctor appointment this afternoon and here are some downtown streets that would normally be some of the busiest street in Victoria. #yyj #victoriabuzz pic.twitter.com/atKWSj0qF5

— Eric Jordan (@ericremyjordan) March 24, 2020

As weird and unsettling as it may feel to see our cities so desolate, it means we're doing a good job. It's important to remember that the better we do at social distancing, the sooner we can get back to normal life and, more importantly, the safer we'll all be.