The New, Sleeker, Post -Lockdown Model

[davidgillon]

AKA I got my hair cut yesterday. Which is the first time I've been in a shop other than the pharmacist's since 20th March (ironically that was the barber's too).

Lots of COVID changes, a bench outside and a sign saying "please wait to be called into the shop", but there weren't any guys getting their hair cut so I basically just walked straight in. They had every other chair taped off, and there were only two barbers working versus their normal four to six (plus one hairdresser on the women's side of the shop). Given late Friday afternoon is usually one of their busy times I suspect business isn't booming.

All the staff were in visors and as yesterday was the start of compulsory mask wearing in shops I was masked, but the first thing the barber said to me was "you don't need that in here". On reflection I'd have preferred to keep it on, but it did make it easier for him to work. So a quick whizz over with the clippers and I was on my way.

Rochester was noticeably busier than four weeks ago - the last time I was in. Rather than being half empty the car park was mostly full, but I could find a space, which is normally impossible during the working day, so not quite back to normal. Lots of people about, I'd almost have to call it crowded, but still only a few wearing masks. However quite a few with masks dangling under their chin or from their wrists, so compliance was probably better than it looked. I debated taking the chair, but from the car park to the barbers to the pharmacist's and back to the car is only about 100m, so I elected to use crutches as giving me greater control over who gets close to me. And I then nearly forgot them when I stood up from the barbers' chair as I'm so used to waddling over to where I've stashed the chair.

I'm glad I got it done, I'll be gladder still in five days or so when I'm past the general incubation period*. I did need to get back into going into places again, but I don't think I'll be in a hurry to extend it when I don't actually need to.

 * Incidentally it turns out my cousin didn't have coronavirus as we suspected last week, just a nasty tummy bug, so he's not the index case for the Nissan outbreak (though probably still not the most popular person in the office given everyone had to presume he did have it).