I’m thinking of having our first date in a private space, such as a hotel, during Golden Week. It should obviously carry less risk, but as the date gets closer, I’m starting to feel that it’s pretty unreasonable after all. What would you do? There are probably several million people meeting others in Tokyo every day. Since my current job is completely remote, my fear has only grown stronger. Still, I do want to meet in person, so I’m torn.

I’m “Paper Airplane,” a male member. Right now, I think it’s less a time for first dates and more a time to decide who you want to cut off. Meet only the people you actually want to see, and stop contacting the people you want to drop. They’ll assume on their own that you’re having a hard time because of COVID-19 or something similar, so this is actually an easy time for them to move on. Meeting someone for the first time right now seems way too risky. It makes you wonder whether they have no one else to meet, or whether they only meet people during times like this. P.S. A lot of the people whose profession involves meeting others during a time like this seem to work in the nightlife industry, where the “three Cs” are common. And many of them don’t list their actual occupation, so I think it’s best to be cautious.

Maezawa from the Corporate Planning Office here as well. > I’m starting to think again that it’s really unreasonable. If that thought is crossing your mind, I think you’re better off not going. Right now, people are being encouraged to avoid even going shopping and not leave the house until they’re almost out of food—only going outside when they’re about to starve. That seems to be the idea, but in reality, supermarkets are crowded with people when you go shopping, and I hear shopping districts are bustling too. If you go to the beach, there are so many people that you wonder, “Are there really this many people here?” It’s even making the news. Trains are less crowded than before, but there are still plenty of people standing, and the seats are often completely full. It’s difficult to sit two meters away from the person next to you. At this point, it’s becoming difficult to tell what’s considered reasonable and what isn’t. If we were truly serious about this, supermarkets would have to close, food would have to be rationed, and people in protective suits would have to deliver it to each household. And instead of reducing contact with other people by 80%, the proper approach would really be to eliminate it entirely. But since that isn’t realistic, I think they’re drawing a line somewhere. Then you get people thinking that they understand the government’s guidelines, but that they need to go for a run or their health will suffer, and so on. From the perspective of someone who thinks containing COVID should come first, even at the expense of people’s health, it may seem unreasonable. But from the perspective that we need to do something to continue living like human beings, it may still fall within the bounds of reason. If you’re unsure, that means you already feel it’s unreasonable, so I think you’re better off not going. > What would you all do? Personally, I’d go on the date. You already made plans, so canceling at this point would be rude to the other person. Also, for example, if you have their permission and pick them up by car, then go from the car to a private room for a meal or to a hotel, you’ll have almost no contact with other people. The only person you’d come into contact with would be your date, with perhaps one additional person at the restaurant. That also complies with the government’s request to reduce contact with other people by 80%. You’re going on the date while following the national guidelines, so I don’t see what there is to worry about. The important thing is whether you’re actually reducing contact by 80%. If you think about it normally, I’d go on the date.

I’m Flag Maker, a column writer. If you’re feeling uneasy, I think it would be safer to cancel the date ^^; Especially if it’s your first date. And if you’re already seeing someone, I think you’d be better off cherishing that relationship—and putting your budget toward them.