How Do I Handle Social Situations When People Aren't Wearing A Mask?

DEAR SHERRY:

How do I socially handle it with grace when people who are not vaccinated and not wearing masks sit next to me?

RESPECTING MY HEALTH

DEAR RESPECTING MY HEALTH:

Great question! I have some thoughts about your question and the Covid pandemic in general.

I believe Covid has brought the opportunity for a significant transformation in our world, to heal from our deepest fears that have been lying dormant since childhood.

When the covid pandemic began, so many people felt so vulnerable. People became afraid that they would get sick or get someone else ill, uncertain about what would happen, and many experienced feeling lonely and isolated. So many people are still feeling so vulnerable.

This period in time is taking us all back to the most vulnerable insecure times in our childhoods when we were scared and couldn't control things in our environment.

So although it may be prudent to take safety measures, many people are experiencing a heightened fear response because it brings them back to other times in their life that are mirroring similar emotions or circumstances.

I encourage people to explore this fear response within themselves; it will help them get back to living and feeling safer.

As for your question, the reality is, no matter what the mandate is in each state, some people who are vaccinated still wear masks, and some people that aren't don't wear masks.

Everyone has different viewpoints about wearing masks because we all have had different life experiences that shape us. Again that can be bringing up strong reactions to the pandemic and the mandate to wear masks as well.

We can't judge how each other handles the pandemic, whether we think someone is too cautious or not cautious enough because we haven't walked a mile in their shoes.

The best thing we can do is take care of ourselves in the best way we know-how.

I do not recommend telling others to put on a mask. It is a lot easier to control yourself than it is to try and control someone else.

My recommendation would be, if you learn that someone isn't vaccinated and you feel uncomfortable in their presence, politely say, "I am sorry, but I feel uncomfortable being around people that aren't vaccinated because I am afraid of getting Covid. So I am going to excuse myself. I hope you understand."

You are open, honest, non-judgmental, and taking care of yourself. If someone takes offense, that has to do with their issues.

I hope this post helps people to understand and have compassion for themselves and others.

With love and gratitude,

SHERRY