The latest rumblings from Westminster suggest that ministers might be about to relax ‘stay at home’ restrictions by allowing people to socialise in narrow ‘clusters’ or ‘bubbles’. Under these proposals, households could draw up an unchangeable list of friends and family – maximum ten people per group – with whom they are permitted to congregate for meals and social activities. Other European countries are considering similar measures.
Let’s try to imagine the social repercussions of such a policy. For some, the groupings will be obvious. Older couples with well-established friendship circles will choose their cluster from familiar bridge club or doubles pairings, or use the new freedom to socialise with elderly relatives whose company was previously forbidden. Younger families may take a more utilitarian approach; choosing, perhaps, their in-laws, plus a nearby couple with children, to combine playdates and childcare with cocktail sessions and evening barbecues.
But for young people, especially those living away from home, these ten-person weekly group hangouts could quickly descend into sordid psychodramas, particularly if the rules stay in place for months on end.
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