Dear Amy: My brother and his wife were both sick with the Coronavirus very early in the pandemic. Thankfully, both recovered with no lingering effects.
However, neither intends to be vaccinated.
Recently, they flew to another state for a vacation. They thought the airline might require them to show proof of vaccination, which they don’t have and won’t get.
I saw my sister-in-law borrow the vaccine card of one of her friends with the explicit, articulated intention of reproducing it and falsifying a vaccination card for herself and her spouse (my brother).
I also saw her ask my brother to purchase some heavy stock paper for this purpose, so he knowingly participated in the fraud.
Now I am upset at myself for not saying anything to either of them. While the moment for taking action on them has passed, should I do something now?
— Surrounded by Non-Vaxxed
Dear Liberal: Airlines are not requiring travelers to produce vaccination cards, so your sister-in-law’s James Bond-like daring-do in planning to use a copy machine (wow!) was both dumb and unnecessary.
If you know that they are fraudulently presenting someone else’s vaccination card, then you should definitely speak up, even though these two geniuses don’t seem likely to pull off a caper of any great magnitude.
Dear Amy: I recently had a very serious eye surgery. The surgery was successful but left my eye temporarily — but severely — bloodshot.
It was unsightly, but my doctor insisted that I not wear a patch over it.
I didn’t feel like I should have to hide in my house for two weeks.
What astonished me was the number of people who I know barely — or not at all — who would ask, “What happened to your eye?”
I think this was quite rude, but I simply stated, “I just had surgery.” What do you think?
– Blindsided in NY
Dear Blindsided: Insight (excuse the pun) about asking intrusive questions usually comes about when you are the recipient of intrusive questions.
I have personally been annoyed by similar questions. I also realized that my own annoyance means that — I don’t get to ask. So, you could hobble up to me with your leg in a cast, and I wouldn’t ask you about it, even if I was burning to know and you were burning to tell me.
People are naturally curious. Words sometimes fly out. Your answer: truthful and to the point — was just right.
Dear Amy: “Dazed, Sad, and Confused” was considering reconciling with her ex-husband.
She should take it from me and do herself a favor and move on!
I stayed with my ex (dating him for years after our divorce) and looking back I realize that there was a good reason we divorced in the first place. I will never get that time back.
– No Longer Confused
Dear No Longer: Generally, if your question is: “Should I kick him to the curb?” you already know the answer.
