Dear Queenie,
My husband doesn’t believe in giving in to the way you feel when you are sick. He thinks you should just “tough it out” and pretty soon it will all go away. He thinks all this fuss about COVID-19 is just a bunch of “sissies” who don’t know any better. He gets mad at having to wear a mask and sanitise his hands when we go to the market and he won’t bother to get vaccinated. He lost his job when the pandemic started so he doesn’t have to go to work where they would make him wear a mask and keep a social distance.
Queenie, how can I make him understand how serious all this is?—Worried wife
Dear Wife,
If your husband does not believe COVID-19 is a serious matter, he should read the obituaries in this newspaper and the articles about how many persons have died from COVID-19 each week. And if he still doesn’t believe, you might want to consider a trial separation from him until you have had your vaccinations and/or until the pandemic is over – or at least has started to get under control.
You do not say whether you and your husband have children. If you do, you should think seriously about how you can protect them from their father’s disbelief.
Dear Queenie,
I’m an unmarried woman that is overweight even though I try to watch what I eat and exercise a lot. My problem is that all my extra weight is in my stomach and people always think I’m pregnant and ask me when the baby is due.
Queenie, what more can I do?—Not pregnant
Dear Not pregnant,
Do you wear any kind of girdle or corset? If not, try it.
You can also discuss this with your doctor (if you have not done so already) to
learn more about ways to lose the excess weight.
Dear Queenie,
A friend and I have been talking about buying a house together to save money on rent.
Queenie, do you think this is a good idea?—Retired woman
Dear Retired woman,
Before taking such a drastic step, why not rent a house and live together for a while? It would give you a chance to see how well you get along in close quarters without committing you to anything more permanent.
Meanwhile, you both should consult separate attorneys to learn about the legal aspects of your plan, such as the effects on your heirs if (when) one of you should die while you are living together.
Dear Queenie,
Is it okay for two people to share one meal when we eat at a restaurant with other people? Restaurants serve such large portions and we are trying to watch our weight.—Weightwatchers
Dear Weightwatchers,
There is nothing wrong with this. But it would be a good idea to ask for separate checks rather than splitting up a total check according to the number of people in the group.
Dear Queenie,
I have just figured out that the man I’ve been dating for a couple of years has been stealing money from me. I knew the money was disappearing but I only just now figured out that it was him taking it. I know he’s been having a hard time, but so have I and everyone else these days.
Queenie, I really care for him, but now I just can’t trust him. What’s the best way to handle this?—Short of funds
Dear Short,
If you have proof that this man is the one who has been taking your money, you can discuss the matter of your missing funds in a public place or in a group of relatives and/or friends and ask for their help in finding out what happened to it. What action you then take – which could include calling a lawyer or even the police – will depend on how this man reacts to your request.
