Ask Amy: Grandparents risk heath to see grandson
Dear Amy: My wife and I have been self-isolating and practicing social distancing. We both really miss our 3-year-old grandson.
I am 71 and in relatively good health, although I do have a couple of "underlying conditions," (in addition to my age) that put me in a higher risk group, so I am holding firm about keeping my distance from other people, including my children and grandson.
The problem is, my wife is 64 and believes that she is not at high risk and "has never been sick." She wants to resume babysitting our grandson.
Unfortunately, this has become a contentious issue between us, making a bad situation even worse.
While I would love to have our grandson stay with us, doing so would put us all at additional risk.
I have suggested to her that I would not want her poor judgment to risk my well-being, and offered as an alternative for her to stay with my daughter's family so she could spend time with our grandson without compromising my safety.
So far, she has declined this alternative, but seems to become more depressed every day. Her negativity is toxic to us both.
I would appreciate your thoughts.
-- Perplexed Grampa in Florida
Dear Perplexed: Your "never-been-sick" wife could be an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19 (so could you), and - if so -- her desire to be with your grandson (at either house) could expose the little guy - and his family - to the virus.
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