The pandemic has made my auntie so paranoid that it's ruining our relationship

DEAR DEIDRE: THE pandemic has made my auntie paranoid and it’s ruining our relationship.

I’m a 17-year-old girl and she’s 55.

I used to be very close to her and would go to her house for tea and have lots of phone chats.

There’s just Mum and me, so every year, we’d go to my auntie’s house for Christmas.

But since coronavirus struck, she’s been so scared of catching it that we can’t even go for a socially distanced walk together.

When we tried, I accidentally coughed – just once – and she panicked and shouted: “Don’t spread your coronavirus on me.”

Then she rang my mum and told her to stay away from me at home.

Her husband has diabetes so I understand she’s cautious but she’s really over-reacting.

I miss the relationship we had.

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DEIDRE SAYS: The pandemic has had a massive impact on everyone’s lives, behaviour and mental health.

Your aunt’s husband has diabetes and so is more at risk from the virus – and will have to shield even after vaccination.

She is probably terrified he’ll catch it.

Try to be understanding of her anxieties and don’t give up your phone chats. Things will get better soon.

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