Dear Amy: Two weeks ago, my husband, who was not being careful enough, came down with covid-19.
I wasn’t surprised that my offer to skip the meeting that week was accepted.
I was distressed, however, to discover that the organizer had still included me in the group text announcing the event. (Our gathering is dependent on weather and other factors and hadn’t occurred for some weeks.)
It was painful to see all the outcries of joy from the other members that we would be meeting. Despite the measures I took to remove myself from the group text, I continued to receive messages.
This week, I was again included in the group text, then privately contacted to query my testing status. I reported that I had tested negative eight times, but was asked to verify negative results for both me and my husband.
I said our doctor’s office had told my husband not to waste a test, because he would probably show being positive for some weeks, even though he was no longer contagious, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisories.
I understand that people are worried about covid, but is it wrong to expect some common courtesy? If someone is not really invited to an event, isn’t it cruel to include that person in a group text?
— Lonely
Lonely: I assume your main question is about the utility of excluding someone from an outdoor event who consistently tests negative for the coronavirus for many days leading up to the event.
To me, it seems overly cautious to keep someone who has tested negative multiple times away from an outdoor activity — but these are the rules laid down by the organizer, and you are conscientiously adhering to these guidelines. You are displaying “common courtesy” by being honest.
In terms of this group texting issue, yes, it hurts that you can’t join the activity, but you are part of the group, and it is appropriate to include you in notifications, even if you can’t be there. Furthermore, I suspect that, if you weren’t included in notifications, you might feel even more hurt and excluded.
This is a temporary but tough thing for you to experience, and after two pandemic years of facing other tough things, it might hurt a little more than it should.
Dear Amy: My dad has built incredible things, including a garage and an addition to his home. He has remodeled neighbors’ homes and made some remarkable, high-quality projects. This is his hobby.
He has never charged anyone for helping them; they get the supplies, and he shows up to help. He has freely given his time and talents for neighbors and friends.
I recently talked to him about a built-in wall project for my own home.
A few weeks later, he called me to say he had some free time and could help me with the built-ins.
After some planning, he mentioned how much less he is charging me than another contractor would, and how he didn’t need me to give him the money for supplies upfront, because he’d include it on my invoice.
Is it presumptuous of me to think my dad would help me build something if I cover the costs of the materials?
I thought my dad would want to give his time helping his daughter.
I never ask him for anything and was stoked when he called and said he had time to help, but our last conversation left me deflated.
— Frustrated Daughter
Frustrated: Your father wasn’t specific regarding charging you for his time and talent. And it seems he is advancing you the cost of the material.
Please, ask him to be specific, then talk about it, using a neutral tone and adopting a nondefensive attitude. If you decide to continue with the project, go with him to select materials, and assist him in the building.
Dear Amy: Your sweet and helpful response to “Frustrated” on how to understand and relate to fellow fourth-graders brought tears to my eyes.
I have a quirky and somewhat awkward son who could have written that question.
I’m going to share your answer with him tonight.
— Grateful Mom
Grateful: I thought “Frustrated” was very brave and cool to describe this.
©2022 by Amy Dickinson distributed by Tribune Content Agency