The five types of people to have in your ‘ corona bubble’

If lockdown restrictions lift to allow small social clusters, and before you send off the “be in my group” request, think carefully: In these times of crisis, certain friends are better than others. Factor in the danger of overlapping warring siblings or those with mismatched expectations — the ones who prefer cocktails in the backyard to a walk in the park, for example. Here are the types to have in your bubble.

1 The friend who makes you laugh

She is a comic ray of light in our dark Corona World. She will wear her face mask the wrong way round, and be the one to send you funny isolation jokes (some are still funny, aren’t they?). The human equivalent of a stiff G& T.

2 The friendly neighbour

You have been waving at each other across the street for five weeks, so it makes sense she is one you invite for a catch- up. Plus, she will have the local gossip — and should she happen to bring wine, stagger

ing home is easy.

3 The old friend

It’s nice to have someone you don’t have to explain yourself to. They won’t judge your COVID-19 meltdown, or roll their eyes when they see your place is a mess. The OF knows how you’re feeling.

4 The clean- freak friend

He ferociously stockpiled surgical masks and gloves back in January. “Must be prepared,” he says as he squirts sanitizer on your hands. Faintly irritating in normal times, but when the going gets tough, he is priceless.

5 The friend who calms you down

She is a sea of calm, with all the facts and figures at her fingertips. “Hang on, only five per cent of the country is infected,” she will point out as you feel a panic attack coming on. She will tell you to “get a grip” in that non- judgmental way that somehow provides a vague sense of peace.