Friend who had virus wants to hang out
SOCIAL GRACES
Q: You heard that someone had COVID-19, but now you’ve been invited to that person’s backyard to socialize. What do you ask the host to make sure it’s safe?
A: If I was invited to a backyard event and I heard that the host had recovered from COVID-19, I would ask, “Thank you for the invitation to your party. I heard that you recovered from COVID-19. Is that correct?”
If the host confirms recovering from the virus, then you can ask: Have you been tested to confirm you are virus-free? Will guests be asked to wear face masks? How many people will be attending? Can your backyard accommodate safe social distancing while seated? Are you requesting that people bring their own drinks and/or food?
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether to accept the invitation or not.
A: We’ve all had enough time to learn that not everyone feels the same about masks and social distancing. This is why it’s acceptable to check with the hosts beforehand to learn what the plan is.
Before you reach out, think through the steps you will need to take to ensure that you are comfortable with the situation; that could include confirming the host has tested negative for COVID-19 since being diagnosed and asking about food plans or other safety measures.
Once you reflect on your concerns, approach the hosts in gratitude. Let them know you are looking forward to being with everyone, and you wanted to check in to see what you can bring to help out. You can also ask about their plan for keeping everyone safe. Once you have the information from the hosts, you should be able to determine whether or not you feel safe.