I’m invited to an indoor baby shower in a month. I’m undecided as to whether to go. In general, I’ve still been adhering to safe Covid protocols. Mask wearing, six foot spacing and attending widely spaced outdoor events. I know that my friends and relatives are vaccinated. I did take a couple of flights while masks were still required. I did attend the outdoor Indian Wells tennis tournament where everyone had to show a vax card in order to enter.
So what to do about a baby shower at a restaurant? Knowing the place, it will likely be in the small event room they have. I know a few of the attendees and know they are vaccinated but I don’t know the rest.
It’s hard to know what is still risky and what is safe.
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I’d go and not think twice about it, but I’m not you. Everyone has their own comfort level. You have to figure out what works for you.
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I’m in the same camp as you, @TatinG (masking, distancing, etc.) - personally, if I don’t know all those that are there are vaxxed and have been following safety protocols I’ve been passing on indoor events. I went to Passover because everyone there (family) is vaxxed. But I’ve passed on going to other indoor events (I did go to one large public event, masked, and frankly it was unnerving to my very core). If the baby shower wasn’t for my own D (or S), I’d be sending a lovely card, and gift and wish the couple happiness…from afar.
I do realize that at some point I will have to rejoin events, but honestly I’m not there yet. Baby steps for me, and that starts with smaller outdoor events, unless I know all in attendance.
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Are you particularly close to this person? My relationship to the honoree would be the deciding factor for me.
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If it was for someone I was close to I would definitely attend.
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Not particularly close to the honoree, but to the honoree’s mother. And really, contagious viruses don’t know if you’re close to the honoree or not. I suppose if you are close the risk seems more acceptable.
As for declining, I think it’s best not to mention the reason, but just to say ‘sorry I am unable to attend’.
The Covid that spread at the recent White House correspondent’s dinner pointed out that Covid spreading at indoor dinners is still a risk.
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Everyone is different; for myself, I only do an indoors event if it is both well ventilated (many windows are open) and I’m wearing a KN95.
If someone had sent me the invite (and again, just speaking for myself) I would reply: I’m so sorry I won’t be able to make it - I’d love to drop of a gift earlier in the week if I can!
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We’ve not been doing indoor events unless masks are required, especially now that case rates are going back up. It’s unfortunate the shower isn’t outdoors 
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You shouldn’t go because you are clearly not comfortable.
Most of the country seems to have moved on. Experts say it’s coming back this summer, with a vengeance.
Is it true ? I don’t think anyone truly knows.
But in the end you have to live within your comfort level.
My wife…we eat at restaurants outside only.
We did a couple of indoors at off times. But now she’s back to outdoors only.
I still travel for work. Have been going mask free when I’m at my clients but think I might start masking again.
I believe we need to live again. But safely. It seems like 98% are otherwise. On the two flights I’ve been on after the mask mandate expired, at most 10% wore masks.
I don’t like that. I’ll still fly bcuz it’s how I earn a living. But it is worrisome.
You are clearly not comfortable and it doesn’t seem like you would lose much by not attending. Give your regards, explain you are concerned due to covid exposure and don’t look back. I can tell you I have co workers who recently got it- triple and quadruple vaxed and it’s not ‘a cold.’ And one now has it twice. Maybe most get it ok but theirs is bad.
In TN, positive rates have tripled in the last few weeks. But fewer test and even acknowledge we are in a pandemic.
Good luck.
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For me it would depend on how important it was to me. Would it be worth the risk. Usually I try to avoid showers and weddings, so I’d try to miss it if I could.
That being said, I did go to a wedding last weekend. It was for a close friend and I knew it would mean a lot to her. The wedding was outside, reception inside. I actually wore a mask outside because it was in a big grass field and that’s my biggest allergy trigger and I had just gotten over the flu. Then I sat in my car while they took pictures and went inside for an hour for the reception. I wore my mask inside - I was the only person with one on!
So if i felt it was important to be there, I would probably go and wear a mask.
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I would feel comfortable going (I have 2 boosters) but I would wear a mask when not eating (that’s me, others may not). I work in a school and about 80% of the people (kids and adults) stopped wearing masks. I still wear one when I go into a classroom, but most do not have one on and it’s been fine (agree numbers are going up and I think by fall it might be bad again).
We have an indoor event in June and I plan to attend.
I’m attending inside events. I’m vaccinated and twice boosted. Had to go to 2 funerals lately, I’m not particularly worried. But that’s entirely up to your comfort
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I suppose the pregnant mother isn’t worried despite the fact that pregnant women are at increased risk of adverse consequences if they catch the virus.
Maybe that word hasn’t spread. D has treated several pregnant women who were near death from Covid.
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There are so many factors, including how high covid cases are in the area, how many people at the shower, when you had your last booster, etc. I went to a large Mother’s Day Brunch this morning (numbers are low in my community), but have turned down events and do mention the reason, like, “I’ve only been attending outdoor events” or “I’m avoiding group events”.
I’ve been attending indoor games without wearing mask. If there are outdoor tables at a restaurant, I will pick them, but if not I just eat inside.
I have not eaten inside restaurants- only outside. I am only attending the indoor event in June because it’s a close family member, and my mask will stay on as much as possible.
That being said, I do eat indoors at work with 2 colleagues. We stay distanced and eat behind plexiglass.
For me, it’s important to have a balance between being careful yet trying hard to be somewhat normal.
It’s really tough making these decisions. We have said no to a couple weddings/parties coming up. But … We recently attended an indoor birthday party for my MIL’s 95th. The restaurant was large and well-ventilated. Frankly, I was very uncomfortable being in a room with 20 people, especially since I didn’t know most of them. I did not wear a mask, since we were eating (and I drink water constantly). I made the choice to go, but I also made sure that I tested at intervals afterward. I do occasionally eat indoors in almost empty, large, well ventilated places. Although I am often one of the few (or the only), I wear a mask in public places. I am trying to find a balance since I don’t think that the virus is going away … but it’s easy to wear a mask when not eating/drinking, so I have no issue continuing to do so. Making small forays into “normalcy” has been stressful. I would say to trust your gut.
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I just went to an indoor event - about 75 people, for 2 hours, very crowded, no ventilation. Several of us got sick - not COVID, but flu-like (and a harsh version of it!). That has happened to my son too (non-COVID illnesses after big gathering). Everyone makes their own decisions, but I think the ventilation part is kind of key…
I’m the same. Going to indoor events and not worrying about it. I’m not sure what changed my mindset.
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I will be supporting those who feel uncomfortable with attending events but I hope the same would be applied to those who are choosing to attend events.
After 2 years, my choice is to start doing things again. I’ve done everything possible to mitigate contracting Covid as far as being vaccinated and when necessary masking. But I’m not going to feel guilty about living life again.
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