Earlier this week I took some big steps into the slowly re-opening city of Boston. I was hesitant because I know the virus is still active and we’re opening more for economic reasons than because of public healthy safety. But I also know that without more economic support we don’t have a choice. So with my face mask and hand sanitizer I ventured out!
My first stop was Salon Persona for a haircut. To be honest, it felt pretty normal. There were only a few people in the space and everyone wore masks. When I arrived they took my temperature. At one point my stylist wore a face shield to do some up close detail work and there’s a no blow drying policy to avoid blowing germs around. Otherwise it felt like business as usual. To be honest I was expecting it to feel catastrophic and scary but by now the apocalyptic feel has become status quo. As Dostoevsky said, “Man grows used to everything, the scoundrel!”
Later that day I went out for a meal at Petit Robert, a lovely little French restaurant in the South End. They’ve always had a patio and they expanded it to accommodate social distancing. Right now Massachusetts is only doing outdoor dining and to be honest that does feel safest.
This experience also felt pretty normal. The waiters wear masks and I wore mine until my food started arriving. The standard rule is that guests don’t need to wear masks while at their tables (because they’re eating and drinking) but if they stand up and go anywhere they need to put them on. The tables are separated from each other and being out in the fresh air where transmission is supposed to be slightly lower was very calming.
You can use a disposable paper menu or snap a photo of a QR code on the table and view the menu on your phone. Everything else operates pretty much the same way. I’ve been getting takeout during the shutdown, but eating out is about so much more than the food. I’ll admit, it was pretty blissful to be able to sit out there with the paper for a few hours enjoying the atmosphere and about six courses of French food.
I think there’s an important balance to be struck here. Now that things are opening a lot of people are disregarding precaution all together, not wearing their masks, not sanitizing and washing their hands regularly, basically going back to life before the virus. But the virus isn’t gone and many populations are still at risk. That said, things are reopening. For the wrong reasons yes but they’re reopening and nothing is going to stop that. I’m not sure living in paralyzing fear is the answer either.
I’m trying to strike a balance between taking serious safety precautions and going back into the world for my reporting, to support local businesses, and, let’s not lie, for my own pleasure. I wear my mask always, I wash my hands after touching anything, I carry hand sanitizer and sanitizing spray with me everywhere, and I avoid crowds.
How are you handling the reopening?