DEAR HARRIETTA: I suffer from extreme allergies all year round and work in a factory. When I go into one of my sneezing or coughing spells, I feel my co-workers crushing.

I see. Coughing and sneezing spread germs and no one wants to catch COVID-19. But we all take COVID tests once a week. I have never tested positive. I have allergies.
Trust me – it’s not easy to have them and wear a mask, which just makes it harder to breathe. But I wear it anyway, just like everyone else. How can I make my colleagues stop looking at me? It’s pretty hard to be there when I’m not feeling well. I don’t appreciate hostility.
Stop Glaring
ESTIMATED STOP GLARING: Make a sign to wear, saying, “I HAVE ALLERGIES, I DO NOT COVIDE.” Seriously, if allowed, you may want to do this. It tells people that you are not a source of germs to worry about.
I can only imagine how challenging it is to deal with everyday looks. Continue to take allergy medications. Take the vaccine whenever it comes to you – with the approval of your doctor, because you have allergies – and wear a sign if your supervisor allows it. It can reduce hostility.
DEAR HARRIETTA: I want to be better at keeping in touch with people.
I used to pass by and visit people in the days before COVID-19. These included people from my hometown when I went home to visit during the holidays and people from my neighborhood or from previous jobs whenever I had periods of downtime. I’m home all the time now. When people come to mind, I realize it’s been a long time since I’ve caught up.
Do you think it’s weird if I start calling people I haven’t talked to in a year? I don’t want to be annoying; I just want to check in. Being alone for months and months affects me. I can only imagine that this is true for some of the people I know.
Registration
ESTIMATED VERIFICATION: It is very kind and careful for you to want to reconnect with people you have not seen or talked to in a long time. It is natural, given the limitations we had on personal engagement in March last year. I would imagine that the people you know and care for would appreciate you coming.
What I do to stay organized is to make a list of people I care about and want to contact. Noting the name, I pledge to follow. Checking the name, I know who I called and who is left to reach. Be creative with your list. Think of seniors, community leaders, family friends, high school friends, college friends, former co-workers, and more. When you can, use technology to create an intimate connection through video conferencing and even scheduling group discussions. Make it fun and addictive. Dear ones will appreciate!
Harriette Cole is a life stylist and the founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative that helps people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to [email protected] or Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.