Do you think COVID testing has ruined the blockhead stunt?

Why should it? If you have an audience (and that's a separate issue) it's all about presentation.

I don't see how it could affect it. UNless your sharing nails with your audience? You could still even have them check the nail for you first - wipe it down with some antiviral stuff before passing it to the spectator. Or have them wear gloves.

I don't really see why you ask the question, what were you thinking would stop it? Does your thinking expand to sword swallowing or other sideshow routines?

I*ve just seen your first post on this and the reply from another member. Are you thinking because of people having swabs taken in their nose?

In which case I don't think it will. I had a covid test on Wednesday and the swabs (at least here in the UK) are tiny little things. It feels really strange to stick something so small up my nose!

Yes, the test. Before now, I imagine part of the effect was no one knew anatomy and they were shocked at the length etc. Now they'll be like, "eh, they did that to me at the doctor's office; it's really uncomfortable, but doable."

So I've had a second test - not convinced I did the first one properly. It was the self-administered one and I have the test info here. The image of how to swab your noes is head back slightly and the swap going up your nostril. It is nowhere near the same position as used in Blockhead. The swab does not go near the sinuss cavity. I don't think that it will have any more bearing on performance than picking your nose would.

So I don't think it's going to impact from that point of view.

I don't think it would hurt anyone's blockhead impact. If anything I think it would add to the cringe.
Those swab tests are uncomfortable.
Having been swabbed, and then watching someone on stage pounding a nail in there, I think would only intensify their uncomfortable feelings.
If a tiny q tip controlled by a nurse is uncomfortable, then a nail being hammered in by some weirdo must be torture.

Completely agree - but you put it so much better than me! LOL