Dilemma Regarding Friends - political and vaccine related

This is really getting to me. I have taken this whole Covid thing by believing in the Science. I get angry at the politicalization of a public health emergency. I don’t understand how people can take a world wide pandemic and be so narrow minded to think that it is only in the United States and that everything is politically motivated. I am also the kind of person who believes that knowledge is power. Which is one of the reasons why I am having issues with this whole thing.

I met a lady and her family about 10 years ago and we became fast friends. We both have neurologically compromised children, love to run, Christian values, etc. We were in Disneyland together at the time we met and we just connected. The thing I like about her is I don’t have to worry about judgement. We both just “get it.” Both me and my daughter can be ourselves around them. Since that first time, we have met up on Disneyland for races and trips over the years. We communicate almost on a daily basis.

Here is my problem. I and my daughter are vaccinated. We totally believe it. I am so excited because I even qualify for the booster because I have no spleen. Trust me, tomorrow morning I am calling my doctor’s office to get it. However, my friend is anti vaccine. She says there are “too many alarming issues.” I began by saying that each person needs to decide what is right for themselves and for their family. Now things have gotten worse both politically and medically. It is a huge division that I am not sure we can overcome. And then there is the mask issue. She thinks it is ridiculous and does no good. She even pulled her son out of swimming lessons because of it. She yelled at the Director even. She refuses to be tested for Covid and thinks that the hospitals are filling up with “breakthrough” Covid. She flat out says that we “have been lied to.” Yes, I believe we are being lied to but not by the party she thinks is lying.

We are planning on meeting up in Disneyland. I purchased our (my daughters and mine) tickets. When we made our reservations, you had to click that you “attest” that you are vaccinated or will obtain a negative Covid test prior to entering. My friend and her family just got back from Disneyland. In other words, she lied when she “attested.” I have taken the attitude that action is totally on her. She lied about it, that is her problem, not mine.

However, we are meeting up with them. Her issues now can have an impact on me and my family. I have already decided that my daughter and I will wear masks - inside and outside. Doesn’t bother us. We are good about cleanliness, as is my friend. I just don’t want our differences on such a huge matter to come between us. I keep trying to remind myself why I like my friend and her family. However, I just don’t want to bring Covid home as there are many in my extended family who are medically fragile.

I said yesterday that I hope something will happen and we don’t end up going. My daughter reminded me that my thought was “not nice.” I don’t want anything bad to happen to my friend or her family. I was just hoping that something would convince my friend otherwise or that more restrictions would come out. The idea of more restrictions has her getting upset by government “overreach.” She also spent 3 days listening to the “my pillow guy” symposium and commented about the experts they had. She heard about the door to door people and the vaccine and had put “No Trespassing” signs all over her yard. In other words, my friend has gone over the deep end so I don’t think between now and our trip, she will see the ridiculousness of all this political crap.

Thanks for reading my long post. I think I just need to get it out. I am torn. I sometimes think that it will be okay and other times I don’t want to put me and my family in that situation.