Dear Annie: Our local gym opened back up recently. Only half the machines are in use, to encourage social distancing, and only half the lockers and bathroom stalls are available. We’re supposed to all wear masks, but of course, sometimes masks come off during exercise when people are breathing hard or jostling around. I understand that. What bothers me is that there is one guy who never wipes down the equipment when he’s done using it. I see him almost every time I’m at the gym, and it ticks me off. With everything that’s going on, it just seems especially ignorant or rude. Would I be out of line saying something to him? — Gym Rat

Dear Gym Rat: Who could take issue with a friendly reminder like “Don’t forget to wipe down the machines”? That said, now, as before the pandemic, it’s always best to assume the person before you forgot to sanitize the equipment. Give everything a thorough wipe down with a disinfectant that’s been proven to kill coronavirus germs, such as Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Lysol Brand All-Purpose Cleaner or hydrogen peroxide.

You should also check with management: They should have employees often passing through the facility and disinfecting all equipment as well as issuing reminders over the intercom to encourage patrons to do the same. A germy gym is no place to get healthy.

Dear Annie: In this trying time, or anytime, could you please remind all parents not to let their children snub, belittle and malign substitute teachers. I had 34 years of teaching experience when I substituted. Each time I substituted, I had children under age 8, who would: not stand upon request, not put books, crayons away upon request and not pick up a dropped pencil or jacket upon request. Don’t parents teach children we are taking their place as adults responsible for their care? Don’t parents know we all have college degrees and are trained to teach? Some like me have specialty certifications and get called in for that reason alone.

Also, it would be wonderful if teachers left a weekly lesson plan book in the desk by Friday night in the event of illness or tragedy over the weekend. — Besieged Substitute

Dear Besieged: I don’t know why having a substitute teacher that brings out the worst even in the best-behaved classes, but it does. I’m grateful for substitute teachers who keep showing up for our children in spite of this treatment.