Times 2 - UK (2020-07-30)

the times | Thursday July 30 2020 1GT 3

times

you are going to? Are you and others

following the guidelines?

Would you go to a salon — and

for what?

Bauld I’ve been to a hairdresser;

most of us have after a long period of

abstinence. I would not be going to a

facial when they are allowed to start

again in August; closer distances are

more risky.

Lomonossoff I have been for a haircut

and a massage. In both instances, all

precautions were taken (masks,

sanitisers etc). I plan to do this again.

Altmann Hair now getting very

wild, but that helps with the “crazy

professor’’ reputation, so no

haircuts. As for facials, no.

They’re high risk, why bother?

Jones Well-run centres are very

unlikely to be a source of infection.

Keep your distances, keep your

kit separate, shower at home

and you can enjoy your session

without worry.

Would you go on holiday and, if

so, how would you be prepared

to travel?

Bauld We are going to a self-catering

cottage in Scotland, but I’d be

comfortable with a hotel. I’d avoid

international travel. As a wider

public health point I would say keep

a close eye on infection rates. For

the UK overall, we have around

600 new cases a day. That suggests

to me it is circulating quite well

in the community. If we have a

week to ten days with the rates at

half that, personally my comfort level

will be higher.

Altmann For the foreseeable future,

only in the UK, going in a private car.

As a scientist, much of my life has

been spent flying around the world.

While the lack of travel and contact

is a loss, I also welcome the fact that

we’re finding ways to do our work that

are less devastating to the planet, and

more inclusive of colleagues around

the world who don’t have large

travel budgets.

Jones The greatest risk is associated

with aerosols, which in practice

means numbers of people and how

close you are to them. Three rules

will cover most eventualities:

What is the level of virus in the

locality? How busy is the place

We a r e

engaging

in game

theory

every time

we meet

for a drink

Would you attend a wedding

and reception of 30 people?

Jones Yes. Consider a mask if you

feel at risk, watch out for swapping

glasses or plates and keep the kissing

for another day. Stay in the groups

you trust.

Altmann Possibly, distanced

and outdoors.

Bauld Outside, I would be relaxed.

Inside, I’m not ready for that.

Alcohol and social distancing

is a challenging mix.

Would you go to the office —

which employers will have

more power to encourage

after August 1 — and if so,

how would you get there?

Altmann Yes, sometimes, but not for

routine meetings that can be done

online, and only going by car.

Bauld I’m not planning to go back

to the office for a while, but I’d be

comfortable travelling on buses.

Would you go to a restaurant

or pub?

Bauld I went to a pub garden for the

first time at the weekend. I will avoid

indoor pubs for now, but of course it

depends on the venue; wide open

rooms are very different to a lot of

people in a cosy nook.

Lomonossoff I’m OK with an indoor

restaurant provided there’s enough

space between diners and good

hygiene measures.

Jones You will probably go with

known partners and the venue will

surely have spaced tables and

disposable menus. Adhere to their

guidelines, enjoy your meal.

Would you go to an indoor

dinner party? The government

still advises indoor socialising

with only two households.

Bauld I have had relatives here at

home, but I’ve not spent time at

someone’s home I’m not related

to. I make sure people wash hands

when they come in, we don’t share

utensils and have some physical

distancing.

Altmann Not for the foreseeable

future.

Jones Assuming everyone knows

each other, this is a bit like a social

bubble situation. Maybe call or text

beforehand to make sure everyone is

on the same page with precautions

they will take.

Would you go to the cinema?

Altmann Not yet.

Lomonossoff I wouldn’t. It’s

something to be enjoyed so if I don’t

feel comfortable there’s little point.

Jones Follow the social distancing

of seats. Pay attention getting into

and out of the venue when there

may be a transient build-up of people

in a small space, and wear a mask

as required. There should be no

need

to wear one once seated.

Bauld I’d probably avoid these.

Some outbreaks have been associated

with churches.

— and how risky is the gym?

COVER AND BELOW: GETTY IMAGES

JonesWell t

Salons: it depends

what you’re getting

Gyms: avoid

the showers

Trips abroad:

a staycation is better