Even though it’s been months since the initial outbreak of coronavirus, and we’ve seen peaks and valleys in the numbers of cases all over the country, unfortunately we are not clear of the virus yet. Most people have been doing their part to follow the guidelines in their community, like wearing a mask and practicing social distancing and quarantining when necessary. Unfortunately, not everyone takes covid seriously, and not only do they pose a threat to the people closest to them as well as their communities, but they are also perpetuating the idea that the virus is not that serious. We have lost hundreds of thousands of lives and severely altered countless others, and in order to attempt to get back to normal everyone should be doing their part. Here are some things you can do if someone you know is not taking covid seriously.
- Remind Them
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Some people are often not intentionally ignoring the new rules but simply let them slip to the back of their mind. So if your friend often forgets their mask or isn’t respecting your social distancing boundaries, talk to them. Ask that they make a more concerted effort. Make suggestions for how they could improve, such as keeping a spare mask in their car.
- Educate Them
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In today’s world, it is all too easy to stay out of the news. However, the coronavirus is not a matter of politics, religion, or preference, but a matter of public safety. Regardless of where you or they stand on political issues, attempt to educate them on just what covid can do to people, the symptoms, the susceptibility, and the aftermath. If they truly understand the dangers that it presents, they are much more likely to take it seriously.
- Distance Yourself
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If your friend seems to blow you off and not take it seriously, make it clear that this is important to you, that by not doing their part they are putting you at risk. If necessary, it may be a good idea to not see them in person for a while, because unfortunately even if they are asymptomatic they still could be carrying the virus, and not taking any precautions puts not only you, but anyone you spend time with at risk. Make it clear that you are not blowing them off but rather that this is what would make you comfortable for the time being, and that there are still many ways to stay connected while not in person.
- Set House Rules
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If this person is someone that you cannot easily distance yourself from, such as a family member or a roommate, talk with the other members of your household to come up with a proper solution. See where they stand on the issue and what you can do as a group to confront them and change their behavior. Set some ground rules for how many people you are allowed to invite over at a time, stay on top of sanitization, especially in common areas, and if any one of you present symptoms be sure to quarantine right away.
Preventative measures against covid are not a political statement. They are necessary to keep you and those you care about safe. If someone is not respecting the guidelines set in place, they are endangering those around them. While we as a country may be adapting, we are not out of the woods yet, and if we want to continue moving in the right direction and flattening the curve, we all need to do our part.