Several years ago, Andy contracted an illness that landed him in the isolation unit of our local hospital for two weeks. Visitors had to wear a mask, gown and gloves. He commented later that those weeks of seeing no expressions on faces caused a strong feeling of isolation, which led to a lot of loneliness and depression.

As part of the human race, we have a need for connection with others. We need to touch, to see expressions, to talk with someone face to face so that we can absorb and react to their thoughts and emotions. Granted, there is a difference among personalities as to exactly how m...