Ask Amy: No vaccination card? No problem!

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Dear Amy: My brother and his wife were sick with covid-19 very early in the pandemic. Thankfully, both recovered with no lingering effects.

However, neither intends to be vaccinated. Because of their experience, they believe it is no worse than the flu, and both have been sharply critical of the government, particularly with regard to public health measures such as mask mandates, which they consider unnecessary and infringements of their personal liberty.

Needless to say, they are very conservative in their beliefs and outlook on life, but flexible enough to tolerate me, the educated elitist liberal.

Recently, they flew to another state for a vacation. They thought the airline might require them to show proof of vaccination, which they don’t have and won’t get.

I saw my sister-in-law borrow the vaccine card of one of her friends with the explicit, articulated intention of reproducing it and falsifying a vaccination card for herself and her spouse (my brother).

I also saw her ask my brother to purchase some heavy stock paper for this purpose, so he knowingly participated in the fraud.

Now I am upset at myself for not saying anything to either of them, and also for not reporting it to anyone.

But I didn’t want to cause a family rift, and I also didn’t have any idea of who such a thing might be reported to. I don’t think they broke any actual laws — perhaps just ethical and moral obligations to society.

However, I now feel like a coward. I have also lost a great deal of respect for them. While the moment for taking action on them has passed, should I do something now?

— Surrounded by Non-Vaxxed

Surrounded by Non-Vaxxed: Airlines are not requiring travelers to produce vaccination cards, so your sister-in-law’s James Bond-like derring-do in planning to use a copy machine (wow!) was both dumb and unnecessary.

Your brother and his wife contracted the virus, and for them (and many others), the illness that accompanied the virus was mild, like other flus they might have had. Lucky them! (Unless they have been tested for the coronavirus antibody, however, it is possible that they had a different illness.)

The issue with this particular virus is how it attacks different people differently, and that is why asymptomatic carriers have presented a risk to others, and why vaccination has been so necessary — and successful.

If they do have the antibodies to the virus, they might not pose a risk of infecting others, but they should still be vaccinated. Different strains emerging might change this equation, and the longer-term protection presented by antibodies is still unclear.

If you know that they are fraudulently presenting someone else’s vaccination card, then you should definitely speak up, even though these two geniuses don’t seem likely to pull off a caper of any great magnitude.


Dear Amy: I recently had a very serious eye surgery. The surgery was successful but left my eye temporarily — but severely — bloodshot.

It was unsightly, but my doctor insisted that I not wear a patch over it.

I didn’t feel like I should have to hide in my house for two weeks.

What astonished me was the number of people who I know barely — or not at all — who would ask, “What happened to your eye?”

I think this was quite rude, but I simply stated, “I just had surgery.” What do you think?

— Blindsided in NY

Blindsided in NY: Insight (excuse the pun) about asking intrusive questions usually comes about when you are the recipient of intrusive questions.

I have personally been annoyed by similar questions. I also realized that my own annoyance means that — I don’t get to ask. So, you could hobble up to me with your leg in a cast, and I wouldn’t ask you about it, even if I was burning to know and you were burning to tell me.

People are naturally curious. Words sometimes fly out. Your answer: truthful and to the point — was just right.


Dear Amy: Dazed, Sad, and Confused” was considering reconciling with her ex-husband.

She should take it from me and do herself a favor and move on!

I stayed with my ex (dating him for years after our divorce) and looking back I realize that there was a good reason we divorced in the first place. I will never get that time back.

— No Longer Confused

No Longer Confused: Generally, if your question is: “Should I kick him to the curb?” you already know the answer.


2021 by Amy Dickinson distributed by Tribune Content Agency

Source: WP