DEAR HARRIETTE: I hate the back-and-forth in the media between the liberal press and the conservative press. I decided to watch both to try to figure out my view on things, but now I am even more confused. Both sides make really strong arguments, even about going outside now that the government is slowly letting up on restrictions.

I can’t decide if I am afraid or ready to throw caution to the wind. I am an asthmatic, but it is controlled. My friends are saying I don’t need to wear a mask since the president doesn’t wear one. They say the people who are wearing masks everywhere are just overdoing it. I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want to be scared all the time. I am a woman of faith. I’m wondering if I am not calling on my faith enough since I am worried about how to go back out into the world. What should I do? -- Unclear

DEAR UNCLEAR: Politics aside, you should listen to the advice from your own doctor and from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Starting with your doctor, schedule a telehealth call where you talk about the state of your health and all of your concerns. Ask about what your doctor recommends to protect you as you go out into the public.

The CDC currently recommends covering your face whenever you go outside and even when you are inside if you suspect that someone in your home may be ill. Doing that is not being overly cautious. It is being smart. The guidelines suggest that you should also continue to stay at least 6 feet away from others, even close friends. Allow your faith to lead you to the scientific facts that can help to save your life. Don’t get swayed by the news of either political party. For more information visit: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just got a contract for a project that should last until the end of the year. I am so excited and relieved. I have worked primarily as what is now called a “gig worker.” With the shutdown, my work basically disappeared. While this job doesn’t pay much, it’s way better than scrambling for unemployment, and I get a paycheck every two weeks. When I talked to my husband about it, all he could do is say how I should be making more money for what I am doing for these people. We are struggling, and this job is putting food on our table. Why can’t he be happy for me and for our family? What can I say to him to get him to see the big picture? I should add that he is lucky. He has the same job that he’s had for 20 years, and so far nobody is getting laid off. We are lucky for that, too. -- Need More Support

DEAR NEED MORE SUPPORT: Remind your husband how fortunate you are to have his consistent job -- and how grateful you are for the project you just got. Acknowledge that more money might be nice, but what you are bringing home is consistent and helpful to your family’s bottom line. Tell him you need him to have your back and to stop complaining. Point out all of the blessings in your life, and name this job as one of them.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am almost 30 years old, and I am having a baby. My partner and I are in a good relationship. Even though we didn’t plan to get pregnant, we are figuring it out together. I’m not going to lie, though: It’s a lot to think about and manage.

We are still early in our careers trying to get things going, and we both lost our jobs in the shutdown. He recently started a new job, and I should be back to work soon, although I will have to take off to take care of the baby for a while. Everybody is in my ear telling me what I should and should not do in terms of getting ready for the baby. I want to make decisions with my man. He wants that, too, but there always seems to be somebody else telling us their opinion. How can I keep the bond strong with my man? We aren’t married, but we are committed to each other. I don’t want other people to get in the way of us growing closer as we bring a child into the world. -- Baby Makes Family

DEAR BABY MAKES FAMILY: Now is a perfect time for you to establish boundaries around your growing family. You and your boyfriend need to form the strongest bond possible so that you value and honor what’s happening in your life. By putting each other and your child first, you can figure out how to prioritize everything else.

Establish a weekly family meeting where you talk about what your plans are short-term and long-term. What do you need to take care of the baby? How will you manage your time when the baby comes? Talk about everything from values to child care. Pivoting from being a couple in love to a couple having a baby is a huge shift. Work together on defining what that means. If you are on the same page, it will make it easier to stay there when you talk to other people.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I are close to another couple. We are almost like the Honeymooners. We spend a lot of time together, but we also compete with each other a little bit. Both couples have big anniversaries coming up. We had been planning individual blow-out parties. Now that we can’t get together with lots of people, the steam has fizzled from our healthy competition. We have continued to see each other, and we have kind of quarantined together. I was thinking maybe we should celebrate our anniversaries together, just the four of us. I know that’s not the same as lavish parties, but I’m trying to be realistic. What do you think? -- Dashed Hopes

DEAR DASHED HOPES: The idea of a shared party is nice, but it doesn’t have to be just the four of you. Since these are big anniversary years, think big. So many people are hosting Zoom parties -- or parties using other video technology -- you can, too! You can plan an event with your friends from far and wide. Recommend what they prepare to eat and drink. Schedule a champagne toast at a particular time, speeches -- the works. By joining forces, the prep can be fun, and your friends everywhere will appreciate the effort.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a hard time keeping in touch with people. I have gone months and even years without calling people I really care about. It’s not because I don’t love them. More, it’s that they aren’t around, and I just don’t think about them. I have even gone weeks without calling my mother. Obviously I love her. But I’m busy with my life, and time just slips by.

Recently, some friends have called me out on this. One old friend complained that I should have at least called him back when he tried to check in on me during the shutdown. I agreed, but I haven’t really altered my behavior. I don’t know that I can change at this stage of the game. I am a grown man. I don’t know why people expect me to become somebody else. How can I get them to back off and leave me be? -- Stuck in My Ways

DEAR STUCK IN MY WAYS: I’m sorry, but I can’t give you a pass on your behavior. You know that it is not kind to forget about your loved ones -- and to be flippant about checking in with them, especially during an international health emergency. You can do better than this.

Breaking a behavioral pattern is hard to do, though. I recommend that you begin to keep a daily or weekly calendar. Included in your everyday duties for work and for home, add a “loved ones” list. Write down the names of people you care about, from family to friends. Then put their names into your calendar sprinkled throughout the days and weeks at times when you can place a call. Don’t pass the day without attempting to reach them. You can do it.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My neighbor has been cleaning out her closet. She has given a few great pieces of clothing to my teenage daughter, who acts like she couldn’t care less. She has accepted them, but hasn’t even tried them on and is nonchalant about the whole thing. I can tell that my neighbor wants to know if the clothes fit. I have taught my daughter to have good manners, but she’s not showing them now. How can I get her to behave better? -- Etiquette

DEAR ETIQUETTE: Your daughter may feel traumatized by being sequestered at home for so long. Even though your neighbor is being kind, chances are, your daughter isn’t really connecting to what’s happening.

You have to wake her up, so to speak. Remind her that even during times like these, good manners count. She may wish that the person paying attention to her is one of her good friends, but she needs to acknowledge the one who is being kind to her. Take away a privilege, if necessary, to get her to respond. If you confiscate her phone until she tries on the clothes and thanks your neighbor, I’d wager the gratitude will come pretty quickly. Be gentle with her, too, as this is a weird time, especially for a teenager who longs for her contemporaries.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)