Should you cut ties with unvaccinated service providers?

Allen-Wilson, the relationship expert, says “oftentimes, there are relationships you’re willing to fight for and it depends on the level of longevity” and connection you may have with the

person. In Charleston, South Carolina, Marylyn Haspel struggled with the knowledge that her hairstylist wasn’t vaccinated.   “She’s a lot younger and she was really in a quandary about it,”

says Haspel, 69, adding that she sent her stylist a CDC link with the most up-to-date COVID-19 and vaccine information. Sometime before her next appointment, her stylist got the shot. “If

she had not vaccinated, I would have severed the relationship. I had been going to her eight or nine years. I have that kind of relationship with her where I could talk with her frankly,”

Haspel says. “I would not have gone the extra mile with somebody else.” Guzman urges those who feel the need to break up with a service provider to explain the current risks. Then use what

Guzman calls “I statements” about what you want rather than saying “You’re not vaccinated,” which is more likely to offend. Show empathy by acknowledging how disappointing and complicated

the situation is. A next step might include checking back in a few months to see whether things have changed. “At this stage, given the fact that COVID-19 is such a sensitive topic, I’d put

it in the same category as talking about religion or politics,” Guzman says. “As opposed to trying to change another person’s mind, let’s focus on ourselves and what we’re going to do or not

do.” In some cases, vaccine breakups can work the opposite way. Massage therapist Brenda Hanley, 50, moved to the Austin suburb of Cedar Park from California, where she owned a day spa. Now

she works in her clients’ homes. She says an unvaccinated client broke up with her after getting pneumonia and incorrect health information.   “She texted me that she was seeing a new

doctor who told her people who are vaccinated can make other people sick,” Hanley says. “It was sort of surprising to me that she was insinuating that I was getting her sick because I was

vaccinated.” Hanley texted the client to check in, but “she hasn’t seen me for an appointment since.”