Book parties and air kisses, furrowed brows and panel discussions: Many of the rhythms of daily life in the nation's capital are about creating, if not the reality, then at least the illusion of social intimacy.

How is Washington dealing with a moment-perhaps a very long time-when the new catchphrase is social distancing?

So far, the city's biggest patterns haven't been disrupted: Congress is still in session. The federal government has not, as of yet, told most of its employees to stop coming to the office. The White House is still conducting business as usual, despite Trump's dramatic decision Wednesday night to block travelers from Europe.

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