My personal risk assessment.

Ronni

Well-known Member
Location
Nashville TN
"The more people (I) interact with, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. "

That's a direct quote from the CDC website, succinctly stated and summating all the major facts I've been working with since this pandemic began.

Risk. That's what it's all about for me....my own personal risk, and the risk I subject others to as I begin to phase back in to my New Normal Life, both personally and professionally.

Risk assessment under these pandemic conditions is a very personal thing. As individuals, we're all privy to the same information, guidelines and restrictions. My interpretation of those, my vulnerabilities and subsequent risk assessment is greater than some because of my age and the specific factors and people in my life. I have, and continue to make choices which reflect that perceived risk.

I've offended some people with my choices already, and likely will continue to as I re-integrate into my personal and professional life. I'm not a contentious or quarrelsome person by nature, so I'm sorry as hell for having upset the ones I have.

But I won't apologize for doing what *I* think is right to keep myself and my loved ones safe.
 

It’s a shame that this disease has made some of us into becoming so hyper-vigilant that we may be offending other people. I guess we should be more careful when interacting with people outside and to some degree, inside the family. After all, I am sure that it is possible to cross a line that we cannot come back over.
 
My opinion is those who become offended, are showing their lack of caring and respect for the other person. My choices and actions are based on my own health concerns. If other's do not respect that and care enough, its not MY problem its theirs. My family and friends from the start of the virus have kept strict social distancing. They have insisted on it as they realize the threat. Thats and respect. 🌹
 

It’s a shame that this disease has made some of us into becoming so hyper-vigilant that we may be offending other people. I guess we should be more careful when interacting with people outside and to some degree, inside the family. After all, I am sure that it is possible to cross a line that we cannot come back over.

I completely agree.

Unfortunately the mere fact of my choices have at times offended others. I haven't even had a conversation with them. One gathering that I didn't show up to because people weren't staying socially distanced or wearing masks is a good example. My lack of presence was enough to prompt a couple of nasty texts. 🤷‍♀️

I have had to navigate a situation with a client too, where she wanted me to come in, and I had to politely decline because both her husband and her were continuing to work outside the home and she had a couple different people coming to her house to watch her three children. Too much interaction for my comfort. She was offended first of all that I asked some specific questions about what was going on at her house and with her family..but she didn't offer any information and I'm not going in blind. And then was further offended when I gently told her that I wasn't comfortable with the conditions.

*I* am not responsible for these people's reactions to MY decisions.
 
I absolutely agree, Ronni, this is a highly individual decision.

One interesting thing I read yesterday about this is that in a way, pandemic precautions are a little like war: easy to get into, hard to get out of. This is the part that leaves me in a quandary. How do we know when it's safe enough to venture back into something resembling normal life again> When they say we can take off the masks, go into a theater, etc., will we feel safe doing so? Will we ever be able to step into someone else's house again without a certain amount of worry? There is no referee blowing a whistle and saying, "Pandemic's over!"
 
I want to commend you for trying to screenyour at-home client’s exposures thoroughly! And declining to attend the gathering. People who are so disrespectful of others’ valid health precautions aren’t worth having as friends or clients!
 
So many times when I meet someone, i start to walk up and shake their hand. Then it's ohoh! Can't do that!
When you see these tall, handsome cowboys in their Stetsons and their face masks, they look like the Lone Ranger!
THAT'S pretty cool!
 
"The more people (I) interact with, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 any transmittable disease spread." This is nothing new.

It's an individual decision until others are told what they must do based upon the someone else's perceived risk.

This is absolutely not directed at anyone here. It's a summation of the conflict that's all around us.

edit to add: Anyone can do whatever they please to address their risk tolerance. If people choose to wear hazmat suits, then no one has a right to say a darned thing, and I'll stand up for their right to do so, unmolested.
 
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@Ronni
That is a shame that others took offense, and reacted negatively, to your doing what you have thought about, and decided is best and most comfortable and right for you.

People often do that, sadly, even when we are being reasonable, as you are, and when we are making efforts in explaining, politely and respectfully, and communicating with them in a positive way, about the difficult decisions we all have to make. It happens even besides during an epidemic too, but it sure seems even more unfortunate and poignant, during this one!

You are right, that we cant change how others respond to what we do, Ronni.
It's a shame that the tragic present circumstances, repeatedly puts us all now, into this added situation, of making important and difficult , and sometimes unpopular decisions, that effect interactions with others.
 
Today we are attending a Memorial Service for our Daughter's MIL who passed away last week. Her family is large and so is ours, there will be a lot attending. I will be wearing a mask as will me wife. No hugs or handshakes will be given!!
Personally, I wouldn't go. I think it's poor thinking on the part of someone who would schedule something like this in this situation. You couldn't wait? I'd have a small thing for only closest family and a memorial whenever it's safe. Could depend on where you live though.
 
That is a shame that others took offense, and reacted negatively, to your doing what you have thought about, and decided is best and most comfortable and right for you
I so agree. This kind of scenario is being replayed everywhere. Example:

My DIL is a hair dresser. She told me recently that a distant aunt left her a phone message demanding that she come over to their house to cut her and her husband's hair. This is a woman who has never before hired her and my DIL sees once a year or less.

My DIL wisely declined, saying that she isn't cutting ANYONE'S hair right now, period. (Of course, my son is an exception, and his Zoom workmates are very envious of his always spiffy grooming while they become increasingly shaggy. :cool:)

DIL is Korean - it's not unusual in that culture for elders to domineer younger generations and for the younger group to acquiesce. Our family teaches her that it's appropriate to stand up for herself and were so proud and affirming when she told the story of pushing back against this outrageous auntie.

@Ronni, you stick to your guns, GF.
 


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