Anonymous wrote:We’ve been hermits since March and I’m due for some relief. I’m strongly considering at least one, if not all of the following activities. But I am still worried about the Covid risk. What are your thoughts:

-Pedicure
-Hair salon (I need this so badly)
-Hot stone massage
-House cleaners
-Dinner out with girlfriends
-Overnight getaway for 2 nights (fly or drive?)

I have done everything but the massage.

I wear a mask and get on with my life.

Author of VACOVIDSTATUS.COM here.

Risk is a very personal thing. I can quantify the risk of being exposed, and the risk of dying from an exposure (based on age, preexisting conditions), but I can not asses your risk tolerance.

With that said, if you have no preexisting conditions and are under 40, the risk of you dying (depending on the number of people you interact with there, and they interact with) from a covid exposure is probably about the same as the risk of dying in a car accident on a given day.

(actually I am averaging the numbers; if you are under 30 the most dangerous part is the drive; 30-40 is is about 2-10x the car trip). Over 40, and the numbers start really changing. Or co-mordities, the numbers change dramatically. For example for me (55, multiple co-morbidities), the risk is 200x the car trip. I do not eat out, get hair cuts, etc. I am careful in my actions.

Now the other thing to consider is the other people in your circle. For example, my DD, a college student, when she is at home, lives understanding that if she infects me it is a much bigger deal than if she infects herself. If you are living with older people, or people with co-morbidities, if you get infected, they will.

Haircut - we do them outside at our house. DH went to one indoors but i think that’s too risky.

Getaway - yes if driving and air Bnb. Probably even a hotel is ok if a well run one.

Girlfriends - would get take out or BYOB and meet somewhere you can distance chairs instead. Table is close proximity. When I have done restaurants outdoors a few times with people I have regretted it afterwards due to worry.

Other stuff - nope. But I sure miss pedicures!

Anonymous wrote:No, I wouldn’t do any of those things. Because I’m not a selfish idiot.

Jesus you people are the reason we can’t get a handle on this thing.

Ah, you sound angry at humans for being human!

Anonymous wrote:There is no correct answer. It just depends on your tolerance for risk. For me a hot stone massage is not a need so no. I would get my hair done. I would have an outdoor dinner with friends.

Exactly this.

I wouldn’t do a massage, but I would (and i have) met girlfriends for outdoor dinner and I get my hair done every 6 weeks. I don’t have a housekeeper, but I don’t see an issue, as long you’re not home.

Anonymous wrote:No, I wouldn’t do any of those things. Because I’m not a selfish idiot.

Jesus you people are the reason we can’t get a handle on this thing.

Also it’s so annoying how everyone is using the mental health excuse for anything. Hot stone massage lol. Such nonsense.

No, I wouldn’t do any of those things. Because I’m not a selfish idiot.

Jesus you people are the reason we can’t get a handle on this thing.

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Anonymous wrote:Does anyone personally know of anyone that got Covid from any of these specific activities?

Yes.

I know two people who got Covid from haircuts. One in March and one in June. I also know someone who got it in the course of traveling. And I know someone who got it from eating indoors at a restaurant.

If contact tracing is crappy to non-existent, especially back in March, how do they know this?

Yes, how did these patients trace the exposure?

it makes for a more interesting story to scare their friends with.

Because the hairdressers contacted both of them.

She got a haircut and four or five days later the hairdresser called her and told her that a client whose hair he had cut the day before she came in had tested positive for covid so the hairdresser got tested and he was positive too. That was the case in March.

The second case the hairdresser called as well and the client got tested and was positive too.

Has they been masked?

The case in March they were not masked because this was before anyone was wearing masks. This was mid March and community spread was low (they were not in a hotspot).

The second time was in the summer and both parties were wearing masks.

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Anonymous wrote:Does anyone personally know of anyone that got Covid from any of these specific activities?

Yes.

I know two people who got Covid from haircuts. One in March and one in June. I also know someone who got it in the course of traveling. And I know someone who got it from eating indoors at a restaurant.

If contact tracing is crappy to non-existent, especially back in March, how do they know this?

Yes, how did these patients trace the exposure?

it makes for a more interesting story to scare their friends with.

Because the hairdressers contacted both of them.

She got a haircut and four or five days later the hairdresser called her and told her that a client whose hair he had cut the day before she came in had tested positive for covid so the hairdresser got tested and he was positive too. That was the case in March.

The second case the hairdresser called as well and the client got tested and was positive too.

Has they been masked?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone personally know of anyone that got Covid from any of these specific activities?

Yes.

I know two people who got Covid from haircuts. One in March and one in June. I also know someone who got it in the course of traveling. And I know someone who got it from eating indoors at a restaurant.

If contact tracing is crappy to non-existent, especially back in March, how do they know this?

Yes, how did these patients trace the exposure?

it makes for a more interesting story to scare their friends with.

Because the hairdressers contacted both of them.

She got a haircut and four or five days later the hairdresser called her and told her that a client whose hair he had cut the day before she came in had tested positive for covid so the hairdresser got tested and he was positive too. That was the case in March.

The second case the hairdresser called as well and the client got tested and was positive too.

Did AirBNB for three nights in remote location and we hiked
Grocery shop regularly.
Clothes shopped.
Used public restrooms.
All with masks, distanced.

Here is what I would and wouldn't do, personally.

Hot stone massage - No
Pedicure - No

It would be so nice to do both of these, but they're purely luxury, and they both involve extended time indoors with multiple people, even if everyone is masked.

Dinner out with girlfriends - No

Too much time with no mask and too many people.

Hair salon - Yes

This is similar to a massage in some ways, but I justified it because it feels like more of a necessity than a massage.
I found a solo practitioner so it was just the 2 of us.
If you feel that is too risky, there are stylists who will come to your house and cut your hair outdoors!

House cleaners - Yes

Just leave the house while they're there and leave some windows open.

Overnight getaway for 2 nights - Yes!

Just pick a spot a couple hours from where you are, drive there, and enjoy!

Anonymous wrote:For you, sure. If you are asking, you will do it. For our family, absolutely not.

Same. At home haircuts till this is all over. Not worth the risk for us but totally understand those that are not strong enough to resist the temptation.

It is still patio weather- reserve a table through Open Table and see your friends.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone personally know of anyone that got Covid from any of these specific activities?

Yes.

I know two people who got Covid from haircuts. One in March and one in June. I also know someone who got it in the course of traveling. And I know someone who got it from eating indoors at a restaurant.

If contact tracing is crappy to non-existent, especially back in March, how do they know this?

Yes, how did these patients trace the exposure?

it makes for a more interesting story to scare their friends with.