HIPAA only applies to the transmission of protected data from entities requires to maintain confidentially. An individual person has no HIPPA duties.
Yes. I'm getting a bit tired of folks who think that asking, "How are you today" is a HIPPA violation and that the asker is headed for Federal Prison. </hyperbole>
I understand the etiquette and the legal aspect Unique refers to, but I suspect, don’t know for sure, but I think these questions are coming from Christian/moral people who are uncomfortable with lying. They may not even be ethical absolutists, “lying is always wrong and there are no conflicting norms”, they may come from a social or family framework where they do not have to confront a moral dilemma, and are taught to avoid ANY confrontation dialog or attitude at all. Gotta be polite even to these rude Karens you know.
Better to suggest a “third way” to these folks than to ask them to upset their entire worldview (unless you feel your own ethical worldview is correct and ought to be imposed upon them.)
You don’t have to answer.
“Have you been vaccinated?!”
“Oh thank you for your concern. Have we met? My name is ...” Miss Manners taught us to ignore rudeness.
Perhaps some of them are types who want to fight back but need the justification that this HIPPA idea gives them.
My dear departed mother would have said something like this,
“Oh Dear, I know you mean well, but have you heard about this HIPPA thing? Well, you know that people will just sue you over anything especially these privacy issues! Could you tell me where I can find the items that are on special?”
Thanks for your thoughts!