DEAR HARRIETTE: I suffer from extreme allergies all year round and work at a factory. When I get into one of my sneezes or coughs, I can feel my co-workers cringe.
I understand. 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 wear and wear a mask, which only makes it harder to breathe. But I wear it anyway, just like everyone else. How can I stop my co-workers from looking at me? It’s hard enough to be there when I’m not feeling well. I do not appreciate the hostility.
Stop glaring
LOVE STOPS: Draw a sign to wear: “I HAVE ALLERGIES, NOT COVERED.” If you allow it, you want to take it seriously. It indicates to people that you are not a source of germs that they need to worry about.
I can only imagine how challenging it is to deal with the daily glamor. Keep taking your allergy medicine. Get the vaccine every time it comes to your side – with your doctor’s approval, because you have allergies – and wear a sign if your supervisor allows it. This can reduce hostility.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I want to be better at keeping in touch with people.
I went to visit and visit people before the COVID-19 days. This included people in my hometown when I went home during the holidays, and people in my neighborhood or from previous jobs when I was quiet. Now I’m at home all the time. When people come to mind, I realize it’s a long time before we catch up.
Do you think it’s weird when I randomly start calling people I may not have talked to in a year? I do not want to be bothered; I just want to check in. Being alone for months and months demands me. I can only imagine that this is true for some of the people I know.
Sign in
DEAR INCOME: It is very kind and considerate of you to want to reconnect with people you have not seen or talked to in a long time. This is of course, given the limitations we have had on personal involvement since March last year. I would imagine that people you know and care about would appreciate you reaching out.
What I do to stay organized is to make a list of the people I care about and who I want to contact. By writing down the names, I commit to following through. By checking the names, I know who I called and who can still reach it. Get creative with your list. Think of elders, community leaders, family friends, high school friends, college friends, former co-workers, and so on. If you can, use technology to create an intimate connection by scheduling video conferencing and even group discussions. Make it fun and engaging. Your loved ones will appreciate it!
Harriette Cole is a lifestyle stylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people achieve and activate their dreams. You can send questions to [email protected] or c / o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.