Ask Amy: Mom learns it's not easy being mean
Dear Caller: Yes; at the outset of the conversation, the person who is using speakerphone should announce, "I'm letting you know - I've got you on speaker."
Additionally, if anyone else is present (if the speakerphone user is in the car, for instance), that should also be made clear: "I've got you on speaker and Emily is here with me."
"Common courtesy" involves using common sense.
Dear Amy: Your advice to "Quarantine Nagging Nellie" about the COVID risk from her neighbor's Easter party was beyond terrible. Someday, you are going to get somebody killed.
-- Disgusted
Dear Disgusted: I broke down this question into two parts: the potential risk to "Nellie" and her family, and the issue of neighbors violating their local shelter-in-place guidelines.
Using CDC guidelines, I stated that - given the typical distance between two backyards, I believed the risk of exposure to COVID for Nellie and her family would be "minimal, if not nonexistent."
This social gathering creates other risks, however, as I pointed out, suggesting that she could call her local tip line if she saw these neighbors hosting another party.
I fail to see what about this is dangerous, but I also understand that we are all nervous right now.
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(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
