meltdown

This week’s roundup of must-read articles covers protecting yourself from viruses of all kinds as well as how to stay warm in a winter blackout, what to do to avoid being kidnapped and one more reason you should be able to evacuate your home in 10 minutes or less.

To get to as many of your inquiries as possible, this week’s mailbag will be more like a lightning round. Quick questions, quick answers — including why I can’t in good conscience stay out of politics.