what a dilemma (repub friend)

[IcyPeas]

my republican friend (ex-coworker) emailed me to get together. I've already declined this a few months ago and she is asking again. I don't really want to, but at this point I don't know what to say without getting political.

I have avoided restaurants/cafes for the entire pandemic so far. when do I give in?

I've asked myself, if this was a Dem friend would I go? probably.

[Aviation Pro]

1. Not a friend, an adversary

Sorry, these people are terrorist enablers.

[wryter2000]

2. Is she likely to bring up politics?

If so, decline. If you can agree not to discuss politics, tell her you'll go to an outdoor cafe, both of you masked (except to drink your coffee). If she's an obnoxious Repub (if there are any decent ones left), she won't agree to those terms.

OTOH, if you don't want to, tell her you're staying socially distanced.

[IcyPeas]

15. With one exception we've always been able to avoid talking politics

And it was uncomfortable as hell. We accidentally got into it over immigration and sanctuary cities and crime. I don't even remember what sparked it.

[hlthe2b]

3. I honestly don't know why you would feel obliged to go in the face of surging Delta...

I won't see anyone unless I know they are fully vaccinated and then only outdoors. With the exception of one small after-funeral event among a handful of fully vaccinated people I trust (some who received their vaccine from me), I've not socialized inside in public sans mask since COVID began. I'd be even less likely to now despite my fully vaccinated status. I get enough continuous exposure despite full PPE rendering health care.

For those who mistake my caution for lack of personal confidence in the vaccine--absolutely not the case. Every time I get in my car, I buckle my seatbelt, make sure my brakes work, and try to drive a safe distance from others at a safe speed. This, despite the front and side airbags that I also have confidence in. Prevention is cumulative. The more measures one takes, the more protected you are.

[SheltieLover]

11. +1,000!

[bucolic_frolic]

4. I have similar situ

I just keep avoiding it. Waiting for the dam to break on the indictments, then it will be safe.

[NCjack]

6. Tell her that the two of you can discuss it after she shows you her vaccination receipt.

When she does that and calls back, say "yes" provided both of you wear masks while in the car, you go to restaurant and order take-out, and you eat your meal in a city park at a picnic table.

If she objects, say that with the lambda variant, vaccinated people can transmit the virus. It would be more than you could bear you gave it to her.

[HUAJIAO]

10. Hell, even with the DELTA variant people can transmit COVID..

[roody]

7. Is she vaccinated?

[IcyPeas]

16. I haven't asked her... she hasn't asked me either

[LonePirate]

8. Is there a place with outdoor dining/drinking available?

[JohnSJ]

9. I wouldn't go unless she has been vaccinated

[cutroot]

12. I always ask them two simple questions

Who is the leading expert on infectious diseases?
Who is the duly elected president of the United States?
If they balk and refuse to answer either question then you are wasting your time.

[IcyPeas]

17. That would be interesting.

So, let's say she admits it's Fauci and Biden... then you think I should go (masked and socially distant)?

Now I wonder if she is voting to recall Newsom too.

[cutroot]

19. It depends on how much you value the friendship

I have several family members that Will be in my life no matter what. I know that they want to ask me questions about things, but I do not want to waste time explaining when I know that they are not capable of logical factual thought. If they cannot answer those questions then I simply change the subject. I often go to lunch with several right wing acquaintances. It is good to keep the lines of communication open. I have managed to enlighten a few.

[frogmarch]

13. Decline. Don't go.

You've already said you don't want to.

That's my take on it, anyway.

[Niagara]

14. I've been in this situation.

My in-laws are RWer's. In the beginning on the pandemic, MIL texted me to make plans to go out to a restaurant to celebrate a birthday. I never responded. I told my SO that I wasn't comfortable going out to eat during a pandemic and he relayed the message that I wasn't comfortable.



Apparently, they didn't have the smarts to stay home and only go out for essentials because they ended up getting Covid right before Christmas in 2020.


On Mother's Day of this year, she texted me again after finding out that SO and I received our 1st round of vaccines. She mentioned how now I will be more comfortable, which isn't the case. They believe that they don't need the vaccines since they already had Covid.


I replied that I still wasn't comfortable with going out. I'm not visiting or associating with anyone who hasn't been vaccinated. I don't like visiting with them anyways because he's always ranting about "the democrats" whenever we get together.


You would go with a Dem friend because you know that that person would take precautions during a frightening pandemic.

You could not respond or just tell her you're not comfortable going out at this time.

[IcyPeas]

18. Thats really difficult when it's your in-laws

This is probably what I will end up saying... that I'm not comfortable right now with these new variants.

(Not responding is giving me agida.)

[LuckyCharms]

20. "I'll take a rain check right now, but...

hopefully we can get together soon. I appreciate the invite".

[tanyev]

21. You could offer to meet her at a park & both bring your own food.

Also ask if she’s vaccinated. Her response to all of that should tell you everything you need to know.