My best friend of 50 years just told me that there is no reason to try to exchange Christmas gifts this year, because I am so paranoid about the new coronavirus and we wouldn't be seeing each other because of it.

They seem to think that if you know a person, then masks/social distancing is not necessary, and so far, in all cases, this has proved true.

Am I indeed being "paranoid" to avoid people not living in my household, social distancing, always wearing a mask?

Maybe I should just start wearing a mask only when among strangers?

Given the number of tragic stories of friends and family members spreading the virus to one another, their logic — that one needs to be careful only among strangers — is backward.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in up to 40 percent of cases, people who have the new coronavirus are asymptomatic, may not be aware that they have the virus, and may never develop symptoms, but could potentially infect others.

I know this is silly, but I look forward to going to the gym just in case he's there!

I want to do more than just look, but I know that nothing would ever happen between us.

Perplexed: Crushing on, or being attracted to, people other than your partner means that you are a human being in the prime of your life — healthy, and presumably feeling good.

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