I have a good friend who has been there for me since about 2008. She’s a sweetheart but she hasn’t been vaccinated and she feels strongly that her “faith” will keep her safe.

She’s been up north since April but she’s planning to fly back to Kings Point in a week or so. I don’t know how to handle the situation. I don’t want her in my house, and I won’t go to her place but I know she’s planning to visit and do things together.

I could just insist that we wear masks but that’s not 100% and I am afraid to be around someone who I know hasn’t had their shots (especially someone who has just flown in). Yes, I was with her when she was here before she left in April but things have changed. I know of more and more folks who have had it.

I know my daughter Kelly is living with SIL Dave who doesn’t believe in the vaccinations, but she’s protected herself and California is or was safer. There aren’t as many strong variants raging there.

I have tried everything to get my friend to recognize the importance of the inoculations but she’s firm and she resents my comments and has told me to “back off.” We were together a lot before she headed north but now I know some of my “protection” has worn off because it’s been many months (since February) when I had my shots. (That’s why they’re recommending a third booster.) I am afraid of her.

Since she left, I’ve discovered that several folks including my realtor (who had her shots) have tested positive. The shots are not 100% but better than no vaccination. Even a neighbor has had Covid and she is very cautious because she works at hospice.

Working at the Squad, I feel I need to be extra careful. I am required to ask folks who enter our Squad building if they’ve had the shots. If they haven’t I’m supposed to avoid close contact. I’ve stayed in most of the time for over a month (since I realized how the new variants are breaking through) I feel like I’ll be betraying my safety if I ignore the precautions.

But I don’t want to lose my lovely friend. Maybe, after she’s here, if I send her that last paragraph, she’ll understand that I don’t have a choice. That doesn’t mean she’ll get the shots (I know she won’t), but at least she’ll understand that I can’t be around her. And maybe the virus will fade away. Let’s hope.