Hello, dear readers, and welcome to a bonus letters column. We’re thrilled to have an abundance of interesting mail. Let’s dive right in.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I work remotely, and while I’ve enjoyed the flexibility and freedom it provides, I’ve started to feel increasingly isolated and unmotivated. At first, it felt like a dream: no commute, more control over my schedule and the comfort of home. Lately, I’ve noticed that I’m missing the daily interactions, spontaneous conversations and overall sense of community that comes from being in a physical workspace. Most of my communication with co-workers is confined to emails or scheduled video calls, which makes it hard to feel connected to the team. I find myself feeling drained and uninspired, even though I still like the actual work I do. Some days, I barely speak to anyone at all, and I’ve started to worry that this lack of connection is taking a toll on my mental health and productivity.

Extreme partisanship started infecting American politics long before Donald Trump emerged, but the president’s unhinged desire for unlimited power is now driving the two-party system to the brink of all-out war.

Dear Doctors: What are microplastics, and where do they come from? They’re all over the news, and it’s hard to tell if they’re a real problem or just another internet scare. One news story said there’s an entire teaspoonful of microplastics in our brains. Is this true?