COURTESY DURING PANDEMIC. NP2

1 I’M SORRY, BUT …

If someone approaches you and reaches out their hand, don’t worry about hurt feelings; say a happy hello and use one of the safer alternatives, maybe the elbow bump or the namaste bow.

2 WALKING A FRIENDLY DOG

You may have to go walkies at different times of the day when fewer people are out or in a different area where there are fewer walkers. If someone gets too close, tell them nicely that you are distancing, but that you look forward to seeing them after this is over, when they’ll be more than welcome to pat your pupper.

3 GREEDY GROCERY SHOPPERS

It may be that those who slip in ahead of you while you wait for space at the yogurt cooler don’t realize you’re waiting. Try using your grocery cart as a buffer (not a bumper car), hemming yourself in to a safe zone so no one else can approach. Or say something like, “Good morning. I believe I’m next for this shelf, but I’ll be done in just a moment.”

4 FRIENDS IN MANY PLACES

Experts tell us to grocery shop just once a week at just one store. Those who look like they’re shopping more often might have a tiny city kitchen that won’t hold a week’s worth of groceries. (But if you’ve noticed they’re there frequently, so are you. Just sayin’.) Set up a shopping pool, each taking a week to do a grocery run for yourself and the other person.

5 DON’T SAY I TOLD YOU SO

There is nothing to be gained by gloating about how you realized early on the gravity of the virus. Just smile through your mask.