TORONTO -- Now that more than half of Canada鈥檚 eligible population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and public health restrictions are being lifted across the country, vaccination status may be an important consideration as people start to gather again.
While the majority of Canadians are eager to get the shot, there are some who are still deciding and others who just don鈥檛 want it at all.
With vaccinations top of mind for many, etiquette expert Julie Blais Comeau has some advice on how to approach the topic with acquaintances and loved ones without ruffling any feathers.
CONSIDER YOUR MOTIVATION
Firstly, Blais Comeau said people should think about why they want to ask someone if they have been vaccinated before they actually do it.
鈥淵ou have to consider your motivation,鈥 she told CTV鈥檚 Your Morning on Thursday. 鈥淚s it out of curiosity? Or are you being cautious?鈥
If it鈥檚 the former, Blais Comeau said people should assess the relationship they have with the person and whether they might be offended to be asked such a question. She added that, in some cultures, a person鈥檚 health is a private topic.
On the other hand, if someone wants to know a friend or relative鈥檚 vaccination status before they see them because they鈥檙e concerned about their health and that of their family鈥檚, Blais Comeau said it鈥檚 OK to ask them.
HOW TO ASK
Blais Comeau used the example of a young child who is invited over to a friend鈥檚 house for a play date after restrictions lift. In this case, Blais Comeau said it鈥檚 perfectly acceptable to call the playdate host and ask if they鈥檝e been vaccinated.
鈥淸You can say] 鈥業 understand that we have a play date that's planned. We as a family have made the decision to be a vaccinated family. We'd like to inquire about your status,鈥欌 she said.
Blais Comeau said it鈥檚 OK to propose a play date outdoors if there is a concern about the other family鈥檚 vaccination status.
Even if it鈥檚 not specifically about a children鈥檚 play date, Blais Comeau advised anyone who wants to know about a person鈥檚 vaccination status before seeing them in person to approach the topic with respect and empathy.
VOLUNTEER YOUR OWN STATUS
For those who may not feel comfortable outright asking someone if they鈥檝e been vaccinated, Blais Comeau recommended they casually bring up the topic of vaccinations in conversation and volunteer their own status.
鈥淭he biggest recommendation is to volunteer your status and then you鈥檙e going to observe how the other person is reacting,鈥 she said. 鈥淎re they engaging? Are they giving further information?鈥
REMEMBER IT鈥橲 THEIR DECISION
Blais Comeau said everyone should remember that getting a vaccine is a personal decision.
鈥淵ou have the right to make that decision. You have the right to your privacy. You have the right to your bubble,鈥 she said.
If someone hasn鈥檛 received a vaccine yet and they鈥檙e unsure how to respond if they鈥檙e asked about their status, Blais Comeau shared some advice: 鈥淵ou could say something as easy as 鈥榊ou know, I'm a pretty private person.鈥 Or you can say 鈥業'm observing. I'm in the midst of deciding.鈥欌
HOW DO YOU RESPOND IF THEY鈥橰E NOT VACCINATED?
Finally, if someone asks a friend or loved one if they鈥檙e vaccinated before visiting with them and they reply they鈥檙e not, Blais Comeau said it鈥檚 important to remain supportive.
鈥淵ou can simply say 鈥榃e respect you. We love you. We love interacting with you. For the time being, let's just meet outside and keep on respecting the governmental guidelines,鈥欌 she said.
