I am not close to her and was stunned when she revealed in a rare conversation what she had done. Our parents tried to mask themselves, keep their distance and get vaccinated. When they believed she was vaccinated, they left her exposed at her home. They are now making summer vacation plans that will include them and stay together. My sister's failure left me in an awkward position. Covid-19 is a dangerous and deadly disease, especially for people over 60. The vaccines are not 100 percent effective. Our parents have a right to know the vaccination status of those they spend time with indoors, unmasked.
How do I best do this? Should I insist that my sister tell them the truth and give her a small amount of time to do it before I tell them myself? Name withheld
It sounds like if your sister has also neglected how her decision affects others – unless she just doesn't care. Your parents are at increased risk of "breakthrough infections" because of their age, and they abandoned your sister for lying to her. Call your parents now. The only phone call that you should consider before doing this is to tell your sister what you are doing and why.
I live in an apartment and my neighbor recently died of Covid-19. We shared a terrace with him for five years and he was friendly when we met, which was not very often. Most of the time he was at his partner's house across town. I found out that my neighbor died when his children started going in and out of the apartment. They didn't seem very emotional, more focused on dividing up his things.
Later I learned from my partner that she had been struck off the hospital visit list by the children and was not allowed to say goodbye in his last days. She asked my husband and I to write a letter confirming their relationship to use as legal proof of their civil partnership. She would like to regain the apartment and possibly some belongings.
I didn't know much about her or the history of her relationship with our neighbor. I don't doubt they were committed to each other, but I'm not sure we are the best people to write letters of support. She spent time in the apartment and we hear her crying loudly. Should we write the letter or should we stay out of it? Name withheld
I suppose you do you think your neighbor would have wanted part of his property to go to his partner, although he obviously did not document these intentions. If they were a couple, especially a long-time couple, she has a moral right to part of the common property; a court can decide whether it also has a legal one. Since you seem to have relevant evidence, it would be a good thing to provide.
