Epic Developers Offer Perspective on Social Distancing

While the term “social distancing” has quickly become a household phrase, many have found it can be hard to cope with the sudden lack of human contact. However, there’s one group that says this is business as usual for them. Most software developers at Wisconsin-based tech company Epic embraced these guidelines long before the COVID-19 pandemic and report noticing no real difference in their day-to-day lives.

Tom Coderson, one of a handful of Epic developers who emailed their thoughts to us on the efficacy of keeping a distance wrote, “I’m good at this. As a programmer I’ve been practicing social distancing since the 7th grade.” He goes on to say how the guidelines are affecting him. “When I walk down the hallway, I always walk as close to the wall as possible so I’m never close to people anyway. We don’t say anything when we pass each other in the hall, so that’s no different either.”

These sentiments were shared by Marco Ramirez, a recent NYU college grad now working at Epic, “Hanging out with people has actually gotten more comfortable in the last few weeks,” he answered when asked about how the distancing protocols have impacted his social life. “The 6-ft thing is a good reminder for me to approach people at a closer proximity than I what I might default to normally. It’s about personal growth.”

Coderson says he has made some new friends in the process. “We’ve started doing Netflix parties where we watch movies together, but from our own houses, you know. It’s great because nobody touches my popcorn and I don’t have to tell my buddy to be quiet every 10 minutes.”

Martin Stirling, development lead at Epic, says he’s getting more work done than ever. “Epic is set up to maximize productivity. We have our own offices so I can keep my door closed and really focus when I need to. But there was always a chance that someone stop me in the hallway and want to interact face to face. That isn’t a risk anymore. These last few weeks have been glorious.”

Some experts speculate these natural tendencies are the reason why software developers remain one of the healthiest groups of people according to data. Though Ramirez summed it up like this, “I don’t call it social distancing, I call it living my best life.”