Some people don't work like that. When I'm in a flow state, a 5 minute interruption can break me out of it and slow me down for a half hour or more before I'm finally able to get back into flow.

Same. I typically have 4 or 5 threads of things I’m working on simultaneously. It takes a bunch of time to get back in that headspace.

They are doing it wrong. If you keep two or three things on the go you can switch to a different one when you get stuck without wasting hours or interrupting someone else right this minute. Very often, having switched focus the solution to the original problem will reveal itself without needing to bother anyone.

I agree. Most people only see the 5 minutes lost though...