When I first read your answer, I was thinking you meant to pilots were social-distancing. LOL.
But why those patterns? Can’t help thinking it means something.
“But why those patterns? Can’t help thinking it means something.”
As someone pointed out, safety is going to be the primary
consideration. They need places to crash if the worst happens.
They need room to make their turns and returns, at the speeds they will be moving.
Too many considerations to allow much room for covert flight
path messaging / signalling... ;-)