Dear Annie: I’m a college student who has been dating a girl for about two months. She’s from out of town but lives in the same city as me. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she has been more isolated than usual. She has a roommate but otherwise feels lonely. I spend as much time with her as I can (using social distancing of course) and we text.

In anticipation of having to stay home, I’ve taken on several projects that take up a lot of my free time. I am passionate about them. My girlfriend, who has more free time, will often video call me while I’m working, expecting me to immediately answer and talk for a while, even on days where we’ve spent hours together in person. If I try to politely decline, she says, “Ouch.” How can I explain to her that, while I do love talking to her, I want to do other things, too, and don’t appreciate being guilted over needing some personal time outside of my work? — Girlfriend Blues

Dear Girlfriend Blues: The best way to explain is exactly the way you did in your letter. It is very healthy that you have found things to keep you busy during the lockdown, and you should encourage your girlfriend to do the same.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for everyone. During stressful times, people use different coping mechanisms. Perhaps hers is to be needy while yours is to withdraw and find other things to do. Good relationships have the three c’s: communication, compromise and commitment. After you have communicated what’s in your letter, if you are both committed to the relationship, you might have to compromise with her as well.

Best of luck to you both. Stay safe and well.

Dear Annie: I’m an elderly person, and I bought an AT&T phone that blocks all calls coming in except the phone numbers you’ve listed in your phone. It tells the caller if they leave their name, it’ll announce it, and if the person being called wants to answer it, they can.

This has saved me from a great many robocalls or calls from scammers. I chose to get the phone after my “grandson” called to tell me he was in jail. I told him to enjoy every minute there, hung up and got this phone. All elderly should have a phone like this. — This Phone Works

Dear This Phone Works: Thank you for your tip. It is wonderful that a phone itself can protect you from scammers so you don’t have to deal with them.