GROCERY theft has always been a major problem, but with food inflation as it is, shopkeepers now fear the wrongdoers more than before.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My mother has always been a pack rat, and it’s getting much worse! I’ve seen TV shows on hoarding, and I know her habit has gotten way out of control. Our great big old house is cluttered with piles of old newspapers, broken appliances, books, and old “antique” furniture, crowded into every room. Plus. she has piles of other junk she’s collected that’s “too valuable to throw out.”

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I’ve always been a very private person, valuing my personal space and autonomy. But I recently got married to someone. She’s my complete opposite — a lovable, easygoing chatterbox, or so I thought.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I looked in the mailbox right after New Year’s — it’s usually just bills — and there was a big envelope with sparkles all over it. I pulled it out and tore it open. The only writing on the card said “Happy New Year!” and was signed “Guess Who?” It could only be one of two women. Now what should I do? I could phone them and go on a fishing expedition, but there’s one I don’t want to see again, because she’s trouble. She’s definitely dramatic enough to have done this!

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My mom and dad have been “on the outs” since Christmas, but it’s a big-time conflict now. I don’t know exactly what’s happened, as they have conflicting stories — but my dad is staying at his brother’s place right now.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My husband is not a drinker, but he got very drunk on Christmas Eve, and got really loose and chatty. In the end, he confessed to me about a same-sex relationship he had with a guy in college!

You could call it the great COVID-19 coverup.

The Progressive Conservative government of Manitoba is currently involved in a pretty sloppy attempt to conceal the inescapable fact that COVID-19 continues to present an existential threat to the people who live in this province.