[lovethesun]

Hi everyone. I've recently had a job opportunity come my way. It would be as a teaching assistant working in a school with grades K-12. This school has all the kids attending. Kind of odd since most schools are having teachers and students work remotely. Anyway, this school has everyone wearing a mask and using hand sanitizer. They explained to me that this job would only be until October when they decide if they still need me. But it would be 8 hours a day M-F...so full time. They told me that they let the kids take mask breaks throughout the day and take off their masks. People in the front office I saw today did not have masks on. My own kids are home as their school is closed due to Covid. On the one hand, I'd like to take this job in order to fulfill career goals, but I'm worried about risk of this virus. I have 2 heart defects. I'm not here to ask medical questions, but I don't know what to do. I don't have to take this job. But I also feel that if I did take it, it would be unfair to the rest of the people who live in my house who are home from work and school and trying to be safe as I'd be exposing them. Plus I'd be putting myself at risk. At the same time, I don't know when to live my life. At what point do you just say "heck with it!" and just live your life again? I'm so confused.

[Yaowen]

Dear lovethesun,

What a difficult situation. I have preexisting conditions and am scared to death of the SARS-COvid-19. I would be terrified to go into a high risk environment but that it NOT advice to you. I am not qualified to offer advice. My heart goes out to you. Sorry I could not be helpful.

Sincerely yours, Yao Wen

[Bill3]

At what point do you just say "heck with it!" and just live your life again?

Well I can only say how I myself would handle this situation. I'm not trying to say how you should handle it.

Personally, I would skip this job opportunity. You laid out the risks very nicely, and I too have family and personal health risk factors.

I would discuss the situation with my kids though, if it were me. I would try to get across that sometimes one chooses to wait on opportunities because of responsibilities to others and to one's own health. I would see it as a good teachable moment for them.

But that's just me. Your mileage may vary!