DEAR MISS MANNERS: A group of six longtime friends planned a get-together at my house including snacks and games. One friend showed up very clearly ill, with a red, runny nose and a pack of tissues, saying, “It’s just a cold! I feel fine.”
Maybe I should have been more sympathetic, but I instead mentioned that I didn’t want to get sick because I had a vacation coming up. I got hand sanitizer and wipes for people to use, and kept my distance. I did ask if they had gotten tested for COVID, and they said no -- now that the tests aren’t free, they are actually quite expensive -- but they assured me they'd had COVID before and that it "didn’t feel like this."
Two questions: Do you agree that the common cold should be something that keeps people from socializing, and how can I handle this, should it happen again?
GENTLE READER: 1. Yes.
2. By being more sympathetic. Miss Manners suggests saying firmly, "You’re very brave to come out like this, but we won’t let you sacrifice yourself for us. You need to go home and go to bed until you are well. Do you need someone to take you?"
On their way out, you can add, “Please let us know how you’re doing. We look forward to seeing you when you are over this.”