COVID concerns dominate relationships

Dear Amy: A friend shared how she used a loophole to get a COVID vaccination that she wasn’t entitled to receive.

It was as if I should be impressed with how creative she was to game the system.

She then went on to describe how she will now be comfortable eating in restaurants, etc.

I said I was happy for her and changed the subject.

Our family is trying to stay patient and wait our turn. Thoughts? — Waiting

Dear Waiting: There are stories of people standing in line outside vaccination centers to try to receive shots that would otherwise be thrown away if they weren’t used. I’m all for that kind of enterprise.

However, if your friend leapt through a loophole to snag an appointment before her turn, that’s unethical.

I have read accounts of how some people have used their connections, money and privilege to game the system.

Ask yourself, when do we learn important truths about people? During times like these. Your friend is showing you who she is: She is someone who would jump the line (ahead of others who are classified as at greater risk) in order to eat out at a restaurant a few weeks earlier than if she had waited her turn.

And she is bragging about it. A note of caution: Although COVID numbers are currently falling, as of this writing the CDC has stated that the reduction in infection numbers is likely due to vigilant mask wearing and social distancing during the lengthy vaccination rollout.

Your friend — and others who have been vaccinated — should continue to be cautious.