DEAR HARRIETTE: I suffer from extreme allergies all year round and work in a factory. When I get into one of my sneezing or coughing fits, I can feel my co-workers shrink.
Got it. Coughing and sneezing spread germs, and nobody wants to get COVID-19. But we all do COVID tests once a week. I never tested positive. I have allergies.
Believe me – it is not easy to have them and have to wear a mask, which only makes it harder to breathe. But I use it anyway, just like everyone else. How can I stop my co-workers from staring at me? It’s hard enough to be there when I’m not feeling well. I don’t appreciate hostility.
Stop yelling
WANTED STOP LOOKING: Make a sign to wear saying: “I HAVE ALLERGIES, DON’T COVI”. Seriously, if allowed, you may want to do this. This tells people that you are not a source of germs that they need to worry about.
I can only imagine how challenging it is for you to have to deal with the daily flashes. Continue to take your allergy medicine. Get the vaccine whenever you need it – with your doctor’s approval, since you are allergic – and use a plaque if your supervisor allows it. This can reduce hostility.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I want to be better in touch with people.
I used to show up and visit some people before COVID-19 days. This included people in my hometown when I went to visit it while on vacation, and people in my neighborhood or from previous jobs whenever I had some downtime. Now I’m home all the time. When people come to my mind, I realize that it’s been a long time since we met.
Do you think it’s weird if I start randomly calling people I haven’t spoken to in a year? I don’t want to be boring; I just want to take a look. Being alone for months and months is affecting me. I can only imagine that this is true for some of the people I know.
Checking in
DEAR CHECK IN: It’s very kind and thoughtful of you to want to reconnect with people you haven’t seen or spoken to in a long time. It is natural, given the limitations we have had in personal engagement since March last year. I imagine that the people you know and care about would like you to get in touch.
What I do to stay organized is to make a list of the people I like and want to contact. In writing the names, I undertake to follow them. When I check the names, I know who I called and who still needed to speak. Be creative with your list. Think of elders, community leaders, family friends, high school friends, college colleagues, former co-workers, etc. When you can, use technology to create an intimate connection by videoconferencing and even scheduling group chats. Make it fun and engaging. Your loved ones will appreciate it!
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to [email protected] or with Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.