I met people in real life
Jul. 18th, 2020 10:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jackI met up with some people from work. Outside, on parker's piece, distanced from each other. It was a very normal geek conversation. But I think it was the first time I'd met people purely socially other than close family since March. And the first time I'd used my bike lights. And the first time I'd taken my wallet out since not long after that, except for one delivery.
And... it felt completely normal, not at all like a massive shift. But even so it was a notable milestone. If the situation continued to get better, the next large benchmark would be hugging someone outside my household, but I don't know when.
I'm still quite unsure what I actually think is safe. I think meeting up with people outside is probably basically ok, although still better to do less often than more often. And wearing masks would be better if there's any room for doubt but is basically ok to go without. I'm avoiding shops because I can, although I would shop in person (with mask) if I needed to. I think crowded pub gardens are probably not ok, but quiet pub gardens are probably ok. I think wearing a mask on quiet pavements where you never need to go within 2m of people is probably not necessary but useful for encouraging mask-wearing as a norm. But I'm not sure about any of that -- what do other people think?
And... it felt completely normal, not at all like a massive shift. But even so it was a notable milestone. If the situation continued to get better, the next large benchmark would be hugging someone outside my household, but I don't know when.
I'm still quite unsure what I actually think is safe. I think meeting up with people outside is probably basically ok, although still better to do less often than more often. And wearing masks would be better if there's any room for doubt but is basically ok to go without. I'm avoiding shops because I can, although I would shop in person (with mask) if I needed to. I think crowded pub gardens are probably not ok, but quiet pub gardens are probably ok. I think wearing a mask on quiet pavements where you never need to go within 2m of people is probably not necessary but useful for encouraging mask-wearing as a norm. But I'm not sure about any of that -- what do other people think?
no subject
Date: 2020-07-19 12:08 am (UTC)I wear a mask when I leave the house including on my bike. I leave the house most days for my daily constitutional in the park (where I have to dodge a lot of people at times, not close up, but it takes awareness). I shop very rarely (twice as a shop, and the rest of the time to pick up prescriptions. These days, I can get pickup slots, and thanks to the car, I can pick up a lot of stuff at once).
Given what we know about transmission, distanced outdoor meetings between mask bearers are probably low risk, any indoor space is not, and indoor spaces with aircon that push air around a lot are probably the worst. I think I'd consider widening our bubble if we had nearby friends (so no-one has to travel on public transport) who are introverted and risk-aware.
Sadly, our neighbourhood is badly hit; plus a couple of weeks ago 500 people decided to have a big street party, and today I saw about 50 people hanging out together on the green, singing and laughing and dancing and using the outdoor gym at the same time, so we'll probably have quite a few cases for some time.