I'm with you...even if it's just a cold, no one else wants it. Full blown right in the height of the cold, stay home. Tail end and getting over it, I might be ok with.

Maybe you can wear a mask to get your point across....otherwise the subject may be off the table.

At the first sign of anyone blowing their noses and coughing, I would have left. Even if it is not covid, it's an illness I do not want. Inconsiderate and I have felt this way long before covid.

I'd be disconcerted as well. It seems very selfish, very inconsiderate. I was just thinking yesterday how disappointing it is that so many people seem to want to just go back to their old ways without taking any lessons from these past 3 years.

Since it's in the past, all I can think of is wear a good mask next time - if there is a next time, and if asked tell them why. I usually just say 'because I don't want to get sick.'

There was a time when we didn't let a cold keep us at home. We went to the store, the office, kept social engagements. I really think that's changed, takes place infrequently now and I don't appreciate going someplace and finding another guest with a raging cold. In these last Covid years, I think its particularly true that people mostly stay at home until symptoms have greatly lessened. And even then they will freely say they've tested, it's not and wasn't Covid, to put peoples minds at ease.

I know we're coming to the end of the pandemic. People are leading more normal lives. But its not gone, reasonable precautions must still be kept. A friend had just begun treatment for a cancer said to be treatable in Feb. She had two chemo infusions. Somewhere

she was exposed to and contracted Covid, was admitted. She died 5 days later leaving a bereft husband and a devastated best friend who also happens to be my DH's sister.

Tricky situation for sure. Could be allergies (they've already started around here), a simple cold, or worse. No matter how you phrase it now, likely the two sneezers will take it as criticism.

Maybe very carefully sound out how the 4th person felt, and go from there. Good luck!

eta: I always carry a mask, maybe you could too and 'mask up' when necessary? And, don't touch your face, and use lots of hand sanitizer as soon as you politely can.

It sounds like you and your group need to have a discussion so you can let them know your feelings on this. At the least it would be fair for them to tell you when they are coming with a cold so you can make your own choices. What I know is we never know, unless tested these days. A year ago last October I had a horrible cold. I tested negative for COVID. I wore my mask to work. I was happy to relieve everyone else's worries by telling them I had been tested and was cleared. In December the same cold returned. It turned out it wasn't. This time it was COVID. We have students coming and going every day in schools. Some are just colds/flu other's are COVID--the only way anyone knows the difference is if they are tested. Your other option is to dawn a mask, plastic gloves and apply antiseptic lotion liberally throughout your game.

How much is acceptable? With the circumstances you describe, I'd say zero. Not acceptable and very rude and disrespectful of those concerned to show up with raging colds.

This has nothing to do with covid. This is common sense and consideration for others. I'd have given the same answer 5 years ago.

Nobody should be sharing a virus with anyone, even before covid19 was a thing. When I had bronchitis in October, I thought it was a bad cold at first. I took two days off work even though the coughing hadn't hit me yet. I was just feeling *off*. When I went to work Wednesday afternoon, I was coughing up a lung still thinking it was just a cold, but I wore a mask. I didn't even punch in for my shift, I turned around and went home. I stayed home the next day but went in on Friday to help with the sale stickers. I work alone in my aisles, fully masked, medicated and with a bottle of water. It wasn't for over a week after that I finally saw a doctor who told me it wasn't just a cold.... Either way, I did my best to avoid not only my co-workers but our customers. Even masked, I kept my distance from everyone. Turns out, you're contagious the first week, but not after that so I was okay to work on week 2, but masked to make everyone else feel better. Although I just wanted to die.

I wasn't OK with that sort of thing before Covid. No one wants to get sick.

I'd be up front about it. With everyone. At the next game. Especially if one of them shows up sick next time. Dare you? Yes. Be honest. Tell them you are uncomfortable with it. You love your game time and appreciate them and sharing time- but it's better time when everyone is healthy, better if no one becomes ill after the game. It's not a rejection of them, it's the extra guests they are bringing to the table. Open a discussion about it.

Perhaps a solution would be that if someone is sick, they let the others know so they can decide to come or not. Maybe the night before if you have a morning game, or morning of if you do afternoon into evening game. Or a mutual agreement that if someone is sick, they just bow out for that game. Years ago the gaming group I was with if someone showed up sick, the group would boot them out- welcome back next round of game. Not sure if that would fly with your group, but sometimes someone wants to hang out and game even if they are sick and could get others sick.

How much of ’anything related to a contagious illness’ is acceptable? Nothing really. I totally agree with Olychick and Carol. It is rude to showmup with any symptoms of a respiratory virus these days. If you have allergies, let everyone know up front before the event and they can decide whether they want to take your word for it or risk being exposed to something else.

DD is a Nurse Practitioner in a clinic, and you would be amazed at how many people come in with some ailment, and then casually mention ’oh yeah, I think I might have the flu’. Then they test positive for Covid. SMH!

i talked to the other healthy member and she agreed with me. She said she just cringed each time the other one blew her nose! She suggested next game I announce I disinfected all the tiles, that I probably should have sooner, and how we don't want anyone getting sick in this season of colds and flu. She said it may not do any good, .but it's a first step.

You can only suggest for others. If it bothers you discover that you have to leave. As far as the nose blowing I have year round allergies even with medication so I could never go anywhere with other people.

We try to communicate based upon the "Clear is kind" idea - some people don't pick up on social cues just because they aren't built that way. My (adult) son has a friend who just doesn't get social cues, so they have learned different ways to communicate to make sure they are both understood. Being clear, with a good bit of kindness, can avoid hard feelings later. Hinting at or beating around the bush can sometimes feel passive-aggressive. Maybe approach the topic by stating something like "I feel awkward bringing this up, but I want to get your input on how we are moving forward after Cov.d. I know a couple of us have come to play when we had colds, and I'm concerned. How do you feel?" This can make them feel seen and heard, as well as having a voice in how you all move forward. It also opens an opportunity for you to offer up your viewpoint. Chances are, the two just aren't thinking about it. 'Cause if they were maliciously coming to games sick, they'd be looking for new partners ;o)

And that is why the lady with the "cold" should have stayed home...I would feel horrible going somewhere being around people when I really didn't need to be and then 2 days later say oh sorry, I have covid.

My parents are late 80's, early 90's, luckily don't get out much but I still feel anyone coming to visit shouldn't come over if they are feeling well, with a sore throat or a cold. At their age, catching the common cold can lead to so much more.

So the "lady with a cold" is really the "lady with Covid." I wonder how many more people will now test positive after having been exposed to her? THAT is why I don't get within 6 feet of anyone other than my husband without everyone wearing a mask, and I don't go indoors anywhere except my home without a mask on.

Same here, Lindsey.

Wow! That's even more inconsiderate - what was she thinking?

I think we should all keep our distance while sick. If I have to blow my nose when around others, sick or allergies, I wash my hands or use sanitizer. Keeping your hands away from your face goes a long way to keep you healthy.

Um. and after being exposed Tuesday, on Friday one more of us has covid. So only two of us has not gotten it, and it's been a week. GRRRR

I am so sorry. In today's age, voluntarily exposing friends to germs when one knows they are sick - particularly just to play a game - just baffles me. WHY? Why would you do that to someone? Particularly your friends?! I thought it was common knowledge that something that feels like "just a cold" can well turn out to be COVID a few days later.

You appear to be handling it better than I would. I would be livid and I suspect the friendship would be over as far as I was concerned....

I've had it twice. The first time it was horrid and I was sick for 8 weeks. The second time I was so afraid what course it would take - and then 2nd time was actually far better than the first. I feel lucky. Not everyone is so lucky....it's a wicked little thing and not to be taken lightly.

You appear to be handling it better than I would. I would be livid and I suspect the friendship would be over as far as I was concerned....

Exactly. This woman is not a friend and it's questionable whether the rest of the group are friends either. This has to be addressed straight forwardly and bluntly. There is no need to be "nice" when someone knowingly (she knew she had "something") endangered your health. Doesn't matter if it's a cold or the flu. Sick people who care about others do not come to events where distance can't be practiced and common items are constantly handled like the game tiles. If others won't support you, find new friends.

People die from flu too.