For a long time, we may continue to be confined in
some ways. Jail inmates who interact with one another are happier than those in
isolation cells.
On 4 June, researchers from Oxford suggested three
distancing strategies for gradually moving out of isolation.
First, they recommend limiting interaction to a few
repeated contacts, by forming a social bubble. To give an analogy: rather than
eating once in five different restaurants, eat at one trusted restaurant five
times. You will intake the same calories, sacrifice variety, but reduce the
risk of food poisoning.
Second, seek similarity across contacts. The closer
they live from you, the better. Age, interests, political views or children of
similar ages may be a factor. Employers can form a workers’ bubble, and schools
a teacher/students bubble.
Third, strengthen communities using triangular
strategies. Meaning, choose bubble partners with whom you may have lots of
common friends. In Facebook language, those with whom you have maximum mutual
friends. That way your interaction outside your bubble becomes less risky.
*****
Forming of social bubbles is called strategic distancing. Instead of a total
self-isolation (risk for sanity), or a free-for-all mixing (virus risk); the
proposal emphasizes on similar, community-based, repetitive contacts. The
Oxford paper recommends that teams of doctors at a Covid hospital should also
be formed into bubbles, given the same shifts, and kept away from other doctors
to reduce transmission risk.
Belgium, with the highest per capita death among
developed nations, allows every house to invite up to four guests. New Zealand
allowed meeting with up to 10 people. This does not mean meeting any ten
people, but forming a bubble of ten people. Meet with them repeatedly, and try
not to meet anyone else. As the situation improves, you keep increasing the
size of the bubble.
*****
“Social bubble” or “quarantine pod” (even quaranteam)
is a Covid buzzword.
Once you or your family decide to form a bubble (pod)
with another family, the other party’s willingness needs to be judged. A bit
like a marriage proposal. If the other
party accepts, both sides need to agree many things in advance. Does everyone
wear a mask? How do you wash groceries? The procedures you follow on returning
home. Do you order any takeaway food? How often do you go out, in what form of
transport, and why. (Sounds like a pre-nuptial agreement). This agreement is
based on trust. The bubble is as safe as its least safe member. And the price is
high. Any member getting infected sends both families into 14-day isolation.
Would it be offensive for someone to reject a bubble
offer from friends? Not necessarily. Just like we keep marriage and friendships
separate, it is possible to keep social bubbles separate from friendships. The
closest friends may be located too far for bubble-forming. Not very likely, but some people may prefer to
form bubbles with relatives.
If, for some reason, the bubble bursts, the ethical
thing for both sides is to have a 14-day cool-down period before switching over
to a new bubble. And then start all over again.
Ravi
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