COVID check-ins overwhelm in New York

DEAR MISS MANNERS:

I live in New York, and am lucky to have many friends concerned for me during the pandemic. I say “lucky,” but initially, I was drowning in their concern.

At one stage, I received messages from people I hadn’t heard from for years, and requests for video calls from morning to night.

At the same time, countless “buddy check” text groups sprung up, with each social group requiring a check-in.

I’m still working, plus many of my friends are at home and contacting me at awkward hours. Over time, I’ve been able to gently convince some to back off — reminding them that I’m well, happy and still employed, have a safe home, and am an introvert who likes isolation.

After spending my whole workday on video calls, this introvert really just needs some quiet time. However, if some extroverted acquaintances don’t see a social media post from me, they’ll send multiple messages asking if I’m OK and attempt to call. I set my phone to donot-disturb after 7 p.m. so I don’t hear the calls. They immediately text “RU OK?”

I have a really well-developed support network and we look after each other.

The presumption that these acquaintances need to do a personal “proof of life” check on me every few days seems absurd.

What on earth can I politely say to get well-meaning people to leave me the heck alone?

GENTLE READER: As if there were not enough divisions in society already, COVID has created another: the Doing and the Not-doing.

In addition to worrying about the disease itself, the Not-doing are further oppressed by unwanted free time, which often comes at the cost of financial stability. The Doing — a group that includes not just first responders, but food workers, teachers, civil servants and others — are working longer hours than ever.

The extra work is due to increased need for their services, but is made harder by the disintegration of any sense of time: Particularly if you are working from home, “9 a.m. to 5 p.m.” no longer provides any protection.

Miss Manners reminds everyone that theirs are not the only frayed nerves. And she absolves you from responsibility for responding to emails, phone calls and texts for some time after you have assured your distant friends that you are grateful for their concern, but you are healthy, and that your only problem is that there are no longer enough hours in the day to get everything done.

Submit your etiquette questions to Miss Manners at dearmissmanners@gmail. com.