"Irina! Take a spike"

No Time To Die's release could've caused a rise in coronavirus cases, claims Dr Duncan Robinson, Policy and Strategy Analytics Academic at Loughborough University and a fellow of St Catherine's College, Oxford.

"The film's release provided an interesting microcosm of COVID transmission — rather like the mixing that takes place in a shaken but not stirred Martini", he said.

 

"Going to the cinema generally involves mixing with people you do not normally come into contact with — for a long period of time — and in the case of the James Bond release, cinemas are more likely to be highly occupied.

 

"We are certainly seeing an increase in case rates, but this increase started in mid-September, before the opening night of James Bond, and includes age groups that should not be seeing a 12A rated film. 

 

"So while James Bond may be partly responsible for a COVID spike, transmission from school children to their parents' age groups is a factor that could also explain the increase".

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