Question: A friend recently traveled by plane to California to spend several weeks with a family member who had been in and out of the hospital for care unrelated to COVID-19. Within days of returning, she invited me to a “socially distanced happy hour” in her yard. I declined. Should she be self-quarantining?

Answer: We’re all navigating this new terrain, and I’m trying not to be judgmental of the decisions other folks are making — except when I decide to be really judgmental (wear your mask at the grocery store!). CDC recommends that all international travelers self isolate at home for 14 days upon return. And a few states, notably Hawaii, require everyone arriving or returning to the state to self-isolate for 14 days. As to our area, there are no such restrictions or recommendations for arriving/returning domestic travelers. As to your neighbor, it would seem that she’s had some elevated risks — taking care of someone who has been in and out of the hospital, traveling/flying, and likely being in two hotspots (CA + DMV). Because of her elevated risk, it would seem prudent for her to be more restricted in her interactions with others. At the very least, your neighbor friend should disclose her recent activities to those she’s inviting for socially distanced socializing so they can make their own risk/reward calculations.