Posted on 04/15/2021 1:22:52 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Asking someone to wear a mask is so 2020. The new tough conversation is finding out about someone's COVID-19 vaccination status. Experts say the way you ask matters, including your tone, sincerity and choice of words.
But for starters, it shouldn't be a random question, says Elaine Swann, an etiquette expert and founder of the Swann School of Protocol. After all, it is personal information that usually isn't any of your business — unless you plan on letting the person into your personal space. And even then, a more private person still may not want to disclose their status. So what do you do? It helps to begin by asking yourself why you want to know in the first place.
Advertisement If your main reason is to assess your risk of COVID-19, then you should know that just because someone is vaccinated doesn't mean you'll be 100% safe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that if a person is vaccinated, you still need to continue most of your COVID-19 safety practices, including washing hands and wearing a mask when you're in public.
That means you don't really have a reason to be asking strangers.
"I don't think we should ever get to the point where you're asking someone in the grocery store lines what their vaccination status is," Swann says. "This type of question is more reserved for individuals that you plan on spending time with."
So if you feel the need to know, because you're thinking of inviting a person into your home or you're at a gathering where people are not wearing masks, you should keep a few important things in mind:
1. Consider your tone. "Having a non-judgmental and matter-of-fact tone is important when asking a person about their COVID-19 vaccination status," says Haley Neidich, LCSW, a psychotherapist in Tampa. If you come off defensive while asking, you will receive a defensive response. This is true in any form of questioning, Swann notes, adding that you should also avoid an accusing tone.
Instead, take a curious and inclusive approach to your inquiry. "A way to do this while also softening the blow is to reveal your vaccination status first and then ask the other person how they feel about it or what their plans are," Swann explains.
This will spark a more natural and organic conversation, making a person feel more comfortable revealing their vaccination status.
This September 2020, file photo provided by Johnson & Johnson shows a pharmacist preparing to give an experimental COVID-19 vaccine.Your guide to every COVID-19 vaccine question 2. Choose words wisely. Just like you should keep your tone in check, you should also put thought into the words you choose when asking about someone's vaccination status. Neidich says vaccine conversations shouldn't be tense — they should be direct but judgment-free and sincere. So instead of simply asking, "Are you vaccinated?" break the ice by saying, "I hope you don't mind me asking..." It can also help to state why you want to know. You could say something like, "Are you comfortable with sharing your vaccine status with me? I'm nervous about being around people," or "If it's not too personal, can you share your vaccine status? I'm trying to navigate when to wear a mask. What are your thoughts?" This way, the person knows you're coming from a sincere place, rather than a nosy one.
3. Ask in private. If you want to come off in the least confrontational way, Neidich says asking over text is a great way to go. This will give the person time to process and react without the added pressure of being put on the spot. Still consider your word choices, though, and use phrases like "would you be willing to share?" and being open about whether you've been vaccinated.
However, if you're worried about your tone getting lost in translation, stick with a phone or in-person chat. "This will allow you to fully focus on the tone of your voice, which can make your questioning feel less intimidating to another person," Swann says.
However, she also notes that if you decide to ask in person, make sure to do it privately. "If you put someone on the spot in front of other people, it may not turn out well," Swann says. Wait until you are alone.
Stock photo of doctor preparing injection for vaccination in clinic.Many still hesitate to get vaccine, but reluctance is easing
4. Make your boundaries clear.
Another way to go about asking someone their COVID-19 vaccination status is by stating your rules and boundaries. This may be the least intrusive way to get answers because it leaves it up to the person whether to disclose their status or not.
For example, try a similar statement to Neidich's: "My family has been fully vaccinated and are doing our best to only expose ourselves fully to those who have also received the vaccine." Based on someone's response, you can then decide how you want to move forward. "This may mean canceling your plans completely or just indicating that you'll plan to wear a mask," Neidich says.
No one is obligated to tell you their COVID-19 vaccine status. So you need to be prepared to accept whatever response you get. "If a person does not tell you, immediately let it go. Do not push. Just drop it and respect their response," Swann says. You can also assume that an indirect or loaded response means they haven't been vaccinated or don't intend to be, Neidich adds. So, in any case, move on or adjust your plans accordingly.
Big Tech has already systematically deplatformed a number of conservatives. Big Banks and payment processors like Paypal have cut off people like Laura Loomer and Pamela Gellar, too.
They will “accidentally” flip your status to infected or delete the vaccine passport app on their targets, just as they “accidentally” disable their Twitter accounts regularly.
It hurts you more, because you can’t get an Uber or go to the grocery store ...
Nunya
Your #29, I’m going to steal that and send it to every libtard I find!
Good responses. I hope people ask me these. A person could have some real fun with an idiot who does.
My spin on the answers:
A way to do this while also softening the blow is to reveal your vaccination status first
Me: That’s interesting.
and then ask the other person how they feel about it
Me: I feel gassy.
or what their plans are
Me: I’m going on a trip out west in a few weeks.
I hope you don’t mind me asking...
Me: Silences. Evil eye.
Are you comfortable with sharing your vaccine status with me?
Me: Continued silence and evil eye.
I’m nervous about being around people
Me: Oh, you’re autistic. I didn’t know they had a vaccine for that.
If it’s not too personal, can you share your vaccine status?
Me: I know you’re autistic and you don’t understand boundaries, so I’ll be nice and just say that this isn’t an appropriate question.
Well, my family has been fully vaccinated and are doing our best to only expose ourselves fully to those who have also received the vaccine.
Me: I guess you and your family will be spending a lot of time just with each other.
Or I might simply respond that I make it a personal policy not to get any so-called vaccine that is only authorized for emergency use, especially when I’m not having an emergency.
LOLOL!!! you win...
I change the conversation to something personal, sexual and disgusting and really dig deep. They usually leave.
Gag me.
Do they ever even mention in this “helpful” if nazi like article, that having had covid gives the exact same if not better antibodies than the vaccine? Since no one ever does, all these experts are lying by omission. Vaccines are not gods.
Immunity for a long time (and no one can yet know exactly how long) comes from recovering from the virus or from the vaccines. Neither is necessarily more potent, though having fully recovered from any disease has always been thought to confer very strong and long immunity for other diseases.
The media and government a gas though covid survivors don’t exist and that these immune people still need vaccinations.
I prefer the methods of Frank Zappa:
So I tugged in her hair, Got her legs in the air
And, asked, “Have got any cooties in there?”
“My family has been fully vaccinated and are doing our best to only expose ourselves fully to those who have also received the vaccine.”
Better be careful with that “exposing yourselves fully” bit. You could end up on a registry, and not just the vaccination one, either.
To a rude, busybody woman:
"Have you been vaccinated?"
"Have you had an abortion?"
To a rude, busybody "man":
"Have you been vaccinated?"
"Have you been circumsised?"
Or to rude busybody person of either sex:
"Have you been vaccinated?"
"Are those your real breasts?"
(better feint with this one ... whether it's to a man or a woman!)
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