This is a really strange one but I'd love to get some advice on how to handle it.
My dad died from covid in April, which was obviously a really traumatic experience. Most of my friends and family have been really supportive but I'm having trouble with one person.
There is a relative on my mum's side of the family who I was very close to and who has done a lot for me over the years. We don't live that near to each other these days, so I see her 3-4 times a year, but we would be in regular contact.
Over the last few weeks she has been sending me videos by a man called Vernon Coleman which are just rants about how the govt and medical profession are trying to control the population. She has sent me other theories about how covid was released deliberately, and she has no problem telling me that lockdown is ridiculous, covid is just a flu, we need to get back to normal asap and she wants to go to her holiday apartment in Spain.
Initially I just ignored her, or occasionally send a gentle reply saying I disagreed, but she keeps sending them. I'm getting really angry now, I just can't believe anyone can be so insentive to a person who has lost a loved one to this horrible virus.
This person has always been very supportive of me (almost like a second mother) and has gone to great lengths to help me when I found myself in some difficult situations in the past. We have always been very close. I don't want to fall out with her but the stuff she's sending me is so inappropriate and upsetting, and I'm having to try hard not to lose it with her. How do I approach this?
Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.
Covid
Relative sending me crazy conspiracy theories about CV after my Dad died from it
Cherrycee · 07/06/2020 12:02
MrsWooster's message is a good one. Whilst you dont want to lose the relationship, you risk snapping if you let this carry on, blowing up at her and wrecking it forever. I'm sorry you're going through this 
I would just tell her straight that you don’t want to hear or read it and will have to ignore all her contact if she continues. Phrase it that you are never going to agree or be swayed by the theories and that she is making an upsetting situation worse. It will be difficult if she has been supportive in the past but there’s no excuse for continuing to do something a relative or friend finds distressing and this includes Covid 19 theories.
Amazed Vernon Coleman is still going. He used to write for mainstream newspapers years and years ago. Some of the stuff then about alternative medicine and standing up for your rights with medical professionals was quite interesting but it looks as though he has tipped over into full tinfoil hat territory. Perhaps she remembers that version of him so gives some credence to what he is saying now? But that’s not your concern or problem while you are dealing with your own bereavement
When you say she's 'sending me' the videos, by what method? Email, Whatsapp, other social media? If it's via something like whatsapp it may be that she's just unthinkingly clicking on share with all my contacts.
Regardless, I agree you need to go with one of the replies above - be very blunt, so that she gets the message. If she sends any more then block her (if it's via email you can divert her emails into a separate folder that you don't read).
I'm very sorry for your bereavement
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.