Right or wrong not to go to a party at in-laws?

[Anonymous]

you should skip the party, but if possible visit beforehand in a quiet way. Like the week before.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on how you are living your life. If you are practically in quarantine, then you’re fine. But if you’re out and about with people then covid sounds like an excuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Refusing? So much drama. How about you stand outside, 6 ft away, and greet your elderly not-doing-well Father in Law. In case it's the last time.

New poster. Studies are finding that "family gatherings" are THE leading cause of spikes in infections. Don't go, OP. You are at risk and you know already that these relatives have not and will not practice appropriate precautions.

I"m sorry your FIL is possibly not going to be around much longer, but let's be very blunt here: Many people are dying alone without ever seeing a loved one again after they go into the hospital with covid infections. Your FIL is at least able to have this party right now. He may miss your presence, OP, but he will get to see most of his family. That is NOT a reason for you to put yourself at risk. He will still enjoy his party, to be sure, but you do not have to be there and potentially shorten your own life. If your wife has to choose, she ought to choose you over him, to be truly frank. Some of us, as a PP notes, are missing weddings and other events, including funerals. A party is absolutely missable under the circumstances. If your FIL dies and you don't see him again, that is sad, absolutely, but it also benefits no one if you also get ill and possibly gravely ill by going to his party.

I can't believe I'm linking to Fox News but even Fox reported on this:
https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/coronavirus-cases-spiking-family-gatherings

"Coronavirus Cases Spiking From Family Gatherings"

...Nearly half (44%) of new COVID-19 cases in the state of Maryland were traced back to family gatherings compared to 23% from house parties and 21% form events held outdoors, Larry Hogan, the state's governor, tweeted last week. And at least 41 cases in North Carolina were traced to large family gatherings, according to The Charlotte Observer.

Families may be desperate to reunite after having been separated for months, but health officials are urging against gathering because it can potentially spread the virus asymptomatically to older, more vulnerable relatives.

"We are still in a global pandemic," Dr. Matt Heinz, a hospital physician and internist based in Tucson, Arizona told FOX News Thursday. "We do not have cured therapy and we do not have a vaccine so the risk has not changed. Whoever you're with --whether it's family; whether its a group of friends -- there should be strict enforcement of social distancing, masks at all times and work to avoid indoors."

Heinz added that he recently treated a patient who contracted COVID-19 after attending a family reunion of about 60 people in Colorado.

"The one person in the room of 15 to 20 people, even with a mask on, can potentially pose a risk especially coming into an environment where air conditioning is circulating in an enclosed space," Heinz said.." We’re not out of the woods."