COVID-CAUTION-FATIGUE

The good news is you were invited to that person’s backyard as being outside reduces the risk of infection.  The bad news is that you heard that this person has had Covid-19 and there are no guarantees that being in their presence or that or her friends is safe.

Humans are social animals and we’re all prone to Covid-caution-fatigue.  You may say there’s risk involved in going to grocery store, so why not a backyard party?  In general, at a backyard party, people will have a few drinks, let down their guard, discard their masks, share utensils, forget social distancing and perhaps join in a song or two emitting more particles into the air.  By the end of the evening, it will be a “viral free-for-all.”

GRACIOUSLY DECLINE THE INVITATION

Questions to ask yourself:  Is this person really a friend?  Do you trust this person?  Have they been nonchalant about taking risks such as not wearing masks and ignoring the precautions mandated by the CDC?  If you answer “yes” to any of the foregoing, then it might be better to decline the invitation graciously of course.  You can site underlying health conditions, previous engagement (walking your canine friend), or that you are concerned you may pass the virus on to your family or aging parents.

FRIEND PRESSURE

Then there are those friends who are inconsiderate, assuming that you are their friend no matter what the cost.  Recently, a friend returned from a European flight on a Wednesday and invited a close friend to dinner on Friday.  Even though she was aware that there were underlying medical issues, she didn’t hesitate to put her health at risk.  Indeed, this was a time to stand back and reevaluate the friendship.  This is where, you must take a stand and not be influenced by friend pressure.

OUR MEDICAL PERSONNEL

Never has there been a time in our lifetimes where there are so many unsung heroes amongst us.  They faithfully, on a daily basis, don their PPEs and tend to seriously ill patients who may die alone with only a kind word from one of these doctors and nurses.