Am I the issue?

[BlueLlama]

I invited a friend to go out with me for Halloween, but she’s been really unresponsive. I invited a different friend who turned me down. I invited another and he turned me down. Every single person I invited is either too afraid of the scary virus or they’re too flaky to commit to plans. Am I the problem, or are they just jerks? I feel really miserable and alone from the people I call “friend” having turned their backs on me.

[BlueLlama]

Not helpful. Thanks though.

[BlueLlama]

And it’s not a pandemic. It’s not even an epidemic. The numbers aren’t high enough.

[Hidden in reply to BlueLlama]

This isn't the most important part of your post, but since you brought it up, let's be clear about the definitions. We are in a pandemic by definition because it is occurring in multiple countries. It's not the number of cases that define the situation. Here are the CDC's definitions for all levels of disease. cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/ss1978/...

[BlueLlama]

Rude.

[venusofthenorth]

I understand that this sucks. I'd feel down as well had this been me, but Halloween isn't for everybody, there are people who just won't do the commitment thingy and it's rather legit to be concerned for a virus. Since Halloween doesn't appear to be happening this year, maybe the helpful thing is to buy popcorn, pick a scary movie from Netflix and call it a holiday. You're not problematic for wanting to live life in spite of our current situation, neither are your friends problematic for submitting to restrictions a lot of us have agreed upon. This year in particular just ain't having it.

[BlueLlama in reply to venusofthenorth]

The thing is, most of these friends have already spent time out and about with me earlier this year. Post-virus, too. So they don’t have an issue with going out.

[venusofthenorth in reply to BlueLlama]

What do they say when you point that out?

[BlueLlama in reply to venusofthenorth]

They sidestep it

[venusofthenorth in reply to BlueLlama]

Please elaborate.

[BlueLlama in reply to venusofthenorth]

They either change the topic completely, or let it slide by and continue the conversation like I’d never pointed it out.

[venusofthenorth in reply to BlueLlama]

You're correct, totally sounds like you need some new friends. The issue still isn't you though.

[kenster1]

hi maybe its just them having genuine fears although I wouldn`t be thinking its you personally or them being jerks.