How Big is your Bubble?

As Covid progresses through the end of this summer, case numbers are on the rise here in British Columbia, albeit nothing like in the US. We are averaging ninety new cases a day right now and school is about to start. The main message from the health experts is to keep your bubble small, but this is proving to be an ongoing challenge. I am in my late fifties and my husband is turning sixty this year. We are both retired.

Just this week, a close friend is flying in from Montreal, where the case numbers have been much higher. I want to visit her, but the idea of being exposed to someone who just got off an airplane is terrifying. Air Canada is advertising their fantastic new Hepa filters that remove viral particulates from the cabin every three minutes. Also, she is traveling with her twenty-eight-year-old daughter, who has been probably done more socializing than her. I also have to consider her husband, who happens to work in the same organization as her and they are both working from home, which is good. Her son’s wife is pregnant, so I can safely assume that they are being the most careful of anyone. After much discussion with my husband, we decide to opt out of this visit.

Then he gets a call that his billiard league is going ahead in September with mandatory masks. They play in a local pub, four against four, with rotating teams. He would be exposed to four new guys every week in fairly close proximity within a pub setting. This decision is easier; he is out.

We are invited for brunch at my brother-in-law’s place for his birthday brunch with six people at the table. Our bro has been off work for months, so little exposure. The three other guests are an unknown entity. However, he is using a table on the patio, so this makes a huge difference. Also, he has promised to keep his washroom window open for outdoor air circulation, which is also good. We are in.

I visited a friend yesterday who has Crohn’s disease and I explained to her that I go to a gym where social distancing, limited clients and fierce cleaning are enforced. She was okay with that. I showed up wearing a mask and she told me to take it off, so I sat at the opposite end of the living room from her to chat. I was disappointed that she didn’t put out a separate hand towel in the washroom for me to protect herself, but I couldn’t say anything.

So, I guess what I’m saying is that your bubble includes the other person’s bubble as well. Each time you socialize, their bubble is often an unknown qualifier. Each social visit should be carefully weighed for importance vs. safety. Visiting other people is great for your mood but please stay safe out there and make good decisions for your health.