It’s almost become instinctive. You cough in the middle of a Zoom meeting and quickly announce, “Don’t worry. It’s not COVID.”

Not that they could catch it anyway. This is why you’re on a Zoom call to begin with.

It’s just a cold. Because of course the pandemic didn’t wipe out the myriad other viruses that have plagued us for years. The months we spent in hyper vigilance, wiping down groceries and dousing ourselves with hand sanitizer kept them at bay for many, and ironically made immune systems weaker!

So you catch it.

And eventually you have to leave the house. After all, it’s not COVID. You aren’t under quarantine.

Hopefully you’re thoughtful and careful. You stay home during the worst of it (except for that trip to the doctor or pharmacy). You wash your hands and the shopping cart handle.

The mask helps too — let’s you know that even at the tail end of a cold, you won’t be spreading the virus that’s made your throat sore and your nose stuffy to anyone else.

Still, there’s the coughing to deal with.

And the alarmed faces of anyone else within a 20 foot radius.

Do we need masks made up that read “Not COVID. Just a plain old cold”?

Or maybe a sandwich board so you can read it from more than 6 feet with bad eyesight?

The pandemic has made us all fearful.

But then again ... maybe that’s a good thing? Maybe it will make us more thoughtful and careful. Less leaving the house when we’re sick. More mask-wearing and hand washing when we can spread germs.

More staying away from people who are coughing and might have something viral.

Even if it’s not COVID…