Corona Daily 096: Licence to Hug

The UK is the happiest nation today.

British are the most law abiding people in the world. And British lawmakers make detailed, fact-figure-and-distance based, precise laws clarifying every human act allowed or disallowed in this pandemic time.

Yesterday, Boris Johnson announced the single biggest step on the roadmap: People can now hug. After a year, hugging will be legal. (Hang on, don’t rush forward so quickly.) Hugging is allowed from Monday, 17 May. Just a little more restraint before you spread your arms.

Yesterday; England, Scotland and Northern Ireland reported zero coronavirus deaths. Wales reported four. In Wales, hugging may not be possible from 17 May, but that point awaits clarification.

Johnson, while making the delightful announcement, urged people to use caution and common sense before hugging. “Whoever I hug, I can assure you, it will be done with caution and restraint”, he said. He clarified hugging remains a matter of personal choice, which probably means it is not mandatory to hug simply because it is now lawful. The licence to hug has venue limitations. In shops, pubs, restaurants and offices, social distancing norms remain intact. Hugging there is not allowed, unless you know some technique of hugging by leaving a gap of one meter plus between the hugger and the huggee.

From 17 May, 30 people, including the bride and groom, will be allowed to attend a wedding. Downing Street confirmed all guests must sit at the tables, and dancing and hugging is not allowed. The same people can hug at home, exercising due caution and common sense, but not at the wedding. A new hashtag #whataboutweddings is trending on social media today.

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Health minister Nadine Dorris on BBC Breakfast said friends and families would be allowed to hug, but called for cautious optimism.

Professor John Bell from Oxford University agreed the country was in a strong position to move ahead with hugging. “I think we’ll still probably go steady, but perhaps a bit faster” he told Good Morning Britain.

Minister Michael Gove said government wanted to see “friendly contact” and “intimate contact” between family and friends.

Catherine Noakes, an airborne infection specialist from Leeds University was a spoilsport. She said we should hug in moderation. She offered valuable tips for moderate hugging: Ask yourself - who are you hugging? Are they close family? Friends? Whoever you hug, don’t do it frequently. Let every unavoidable hug be short. Avoid face-to-face hug. Wash hands with soap before hugging. And please keep the mask on while hugging.

Dr Hilary Jones agreed with Professor Noakes. Hugs should be short, selective. “hug your children, grandchildren, not promiscuous hugs we are talking about here, not hugging everybody, not getting too close for too long.” He warned.

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A couple of scientists have suggested a brief hug, ensuring not to breathe towards the other person. Maybe both can turn their faces behind while hugging. However, if you choose to hug, enjoy it, advise the same scientists.

Chief scientific advisor Sit Mark Walport said on radio that the UK has 35% unvaccinated adults, 60% with only one dose and the truth is that the virus has not gone away. Sir Walport would like you to remember this while hugging.  

Experts have clarified that like with anything in life, consent is key. Asking someone “may I hug you” before hugging would be polite. You can simply say “what about” and widen your arms, before judging the non-verbal signals from the other party as to whether mutual physical contact is acceptable or not.

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The point missed by many foreign readers is that the British have never been known as huggers. They are happy to acknowledge the presence of another person with a quiet nod, or at best a droopy handshake. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, for the first time, they get a license and encouragement from the government to hug. The coming months will show how heartily they embrace this newly acquired licence.

Ravi