DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a good friend who has always had some strange beliefs about medical issues: She won’t take any Western medicine, relies on “alternative” treatments and consults a “medical psychic.”
We are pretty sure she had COVID last year. She has told me she has no intention of taking the COVID vaccine and is going to rely on her “own healthy immune system” to fight the virus.
Doctors are saying people might get the new strains of the virus even if they already had the old strain. How do I tactfully tell my friend I will not be wanting to see her in person as much as I used to, and will not go to her house or invite her to mine?
She is about 12 years younger than me. I feel like I need to protect myself a little more than when I was younger. She also has a bit of a temper, so I’m nervous about approaching the subject with her.
GENTLE READER: And it sounds as if it would be pretty useless to do so.
It is also unnecessary. You do not need to build a case about why you decline, or do not issue, invitations. “Thank you, but I’m not going out yet,” and -- if she is so bold as to invite herself -- “I’ll let you know when that is possible” are sufficient responses.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)