Ask Amy: Elevator Sneezing Causes Panic

Dear Amy: I have a question about taking the elevator and contracting her COVID. Yesterday I was in an elevator in a residential building.

I wore a mask and a scarf around my neck.

A young woman entered an elevator without a mask. She started sneezing.

She hurriedly opened the elevator door.

I left the building immediately. I wasn't a tenant there.

Is it possible to get a virus that way?

Tell me. Thank you very much.

– Panic

For those in panic: Learn more about COVID and stay up-to-date on research through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov). increase.

Several published studies done early in the pandemic focused on the risk of contracting the virus while riding elevators. And the risk of viral infection certainly arises. When you sneeze, droplets are violently ejected into the air, but the ventilation systems used in many elevators tend to push these droplets down toward the floor.

You can further reduce this risk by turning your face away from other elevator riders.

Yes, if the person who sneezed had her COVID or a cold, they could be infected. Your mask provided protection (the CDC describes mask-wearing as an "important public health tool").

You are so worried that you need to minimize your risks while understanding that living in the world is a perilous prospect for all of us. 76} Staying vaccinated, wearing good quality, well-fitting masks and washing hands are often proactive ways to minimize the risk of infection.

If you are infected with the COVID virus, you should ask your doctor to assess your specific medical risks.

New variants of the COVID-19 virus are reported to be highly contagious, but are becoming less contagious. That means people are more likely to catch the virus, but far less likely to end up in the hospital. Doctor's office – as a result of illness caused by a virus.

In my opinion, your extreme anxiety and panic reactions pose real and immediate health risks. Left untreated, anxiety can have a far greater impact on quality of life than a COVID attack.

Dear Amy: With Husband I am in my mid-eighties, in good general health, and blessed to have three children and their families nearby. We see them all often.

He one of our sons has always been very careful about his diet and carries out all the latest research on the healthiest ways to eat.

Now, every time he visits, I ask him what to eat and what not to eat, what to throw out of his pantry, what to study, what his daily routine is. You get a boring lecture on what to include in your

He won't let go. We happily try to discourage this unwelcome "advice", but it falls on deaf ears.

By most standards, we are on a very healthy diet, by the way. Eat very little meat, lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and nuts. I put a little sugar in it. No caffeine or alcohol. And we exercise regularly.

We are happy to spend the rest of our days like this.

How can I convince my son to accept that he will die someday? You want to enjoy your time with your son, freed from endless fights over what to eat.

– Dear Mother

Dear Mother: You may not be able to persuade your son to accept his eventual death. That's a tall order for someone who seems to be trying too hard to prevent it.

You have not mentioned whether he preached to everyone. If so - yes, how boring.

Elders often say that one of their privileges is being able to speak openly without worrying too much about how others will react.

Try it. For example, "Son. I'll stop you right there. We appreciate how much you love us, but we're not going to change our diet. Why? Because we don't want to."

Miss Amy: The question from A Wife's Wisdom sent shivers down my spine. Her husband's violence escalated and he was killing small animals.

When she married such a man, his actions accelerated. He tortured and killed my cat. He tortured and abused me less than a year into our marriage.

I had to leave without telling anyone and hide from him. Thank you so much for saving my life.

– You are safe

Dear Safety: This is terrifying. I hope she leaves. now.