Opening pool makes sense

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May 13, 2021

Last spring and summer, health officials worldwide were still learning how the COVID-19 virus was transmitted and which environments put individuals most at-risk of catching the disease.

After months of research, it was concluded that outdoor events, with adequate social distancing, posed a significantly lesser threat than staying indoors with others for extended periods of time.

In May of 2020, six months before a vaccine was made available to the public, Columbus city officials were put in a tough spot to make a call on whether or not the Donner Aquatics Center should open.

Officials erred on the side of caution, and opted to close the facility for the summer despite major pushback from the public.

Thankfully, much has changed since last spring, and the city has recognized that one of its most popular amenities can be used by families in a safe way this summer.

Last week, officials announced they plan on opening Donner on May 27, which is the first day of summer vacation for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. students.

At this time, a maximum of 250 people — including staff and clients — will be allowed in the pool area at any given time.

While Donner likely won’t reach its average of 31,800 visitors per year this summer, it will still see thousands pass through at one time or another.

The Indiana State Department of Health, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have maintained that there’s no evidence that COVID-19 can spread through pools — mainly because the chlorine/bromine in the water kills the virus.

Patrons will be asked to observe social distancing and encouraged to keep a mask on when socializing while out of the water. Deck furnishings will also be separated by 6 feet or more and frequently touched surfaces that don’t get hit with water will be sanitized.

We’re glad that local and state health officials are on board with reopening the pool, and that measures are being put in place to help limit any risk of spreading the virus.

The programs that Donner offers benefit local youth in a big way, and will make an impact on them starting again this summer.

Husband claims slur is ‘just a word’

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Staff Reports

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May 13, 2021

Dear Amy: About two years ago, my husband started using the “N-word” (we are white).

He mainly used this word when watching something that upsets him or when he would drink. You get the picture.

He is now upset because some of the family (and I) say that using the N-word makes him look racist.

He says it’s just a word, and it’s OK because he used it all the time when he lived in California with his Black friends and that they all just said it, no matter what race they were referring to.

We argue about this, and he defends his past behavior, no matter my opinion.

He has mostly stopped using the word after I made a huge issue about it. Occasionally, he will say it when he is mad about a certain person on the news or politician and it’s loud enough that our daughter can hear.

Your opinion?

— Disgusted

Dear Disgusted: Using the “N-word” doesn’t make your husband “look” racist.

It makes your husband an actual racist.

According to you, he only evokes the word when he is mad at or hates something or someone. But this is a case where context doesn’t even matter.

Racists seem to enjoy declaring that the “N-word” — or other racial or ethnic slurs — are “just words,” but for some reason they never seem to use slurs directed at themselves.

Dear Amy: My husband has two siblings and several nieces and nephews.

His brother’s daughter — our niece — is pregnant and everyone is genuinely excited about the baby.

Our issue is that a few years ago my very generous and kind father-in-law (her grandfather) gave her funds to attend college.

We don’t know how long or how successful she was with her college, but eventually she stopped going and dropped out.

Somehow this became a sore spot, and she refused to communicate any longer with her grandfather.

She has not spoken to him in well over a year.

This had to be hurtful for him — at 97 years old.

He has been generous and supportive to all his children and grandchildren and has never interfered in anyone’s life.

We are appalled by her behavior.

I have been invited to her baby shower and have been given a list of specific items from which to choose with instructions that we need to choose from the list (many of them out of our budget).

My husband and I do not care to support her because of this rift.

We think she is out of line and acting immature.

We are torn because my husband’s brother (her dad) has always been kind and supportive to our son and I would like to show respect and support for him.

I know her grandfather wants to give her something; he still loves her and always will.

Should we send a gift?

– Concerned Aunt

Dear Concerned: The way I read your question, you would prefer not to recognize or celebrate your niece, out of solidarity to her grandfather.

You can ghost this niece, or gripe about her too-expensive shower registry, but when you withdraw from her, you are then perpetuating HER poor behavior.

Her grandfather’s expectations made her uncomfortable, and so she responded by withdrawing from him, with no explanation.

Her expectations make you uncomfortable, and you are responding by withdrawing from her, with no explanation.

This is how longstanding generational estrangements take hold.

I suggest that you disconnect her previous objectionable behavior from her pregnancy.

Find an item on her registry that you can afford (or send her something off the registry) to congratulate her on her pregnancy.

Your husband should ask his brother if there are ways you two might help to encourage a healing connection between your niece and her grandfather.

At the end of the day, her relationship with him is her responsibility to manage — and you should not judge or interfere, unless you are invited to.

Dear Amy: The letter from “Too Controlling?” regarding bribing a young person not to get a tattoo reminded me: When my now 40-year-old son was turning 16, he asked to get his ear pierced for his birthday.

As I have pierced ears, I saw no reason to say no. My mother was horrified and told him she’d get him anything else he wanted if he didn’t do it. He thought for a moment and responded, “a tattoo.”

Needless to say, he had his ear pierced. And I was very proud of him.

– Nancy, in Englewood, NJ

Dear Nancy: Smart kid!