Catching a cold.

The person you catch it from didn't set out to give you the cold. And if you were in their vicinity, you couldn't do much to stop it.

Of course, the one with the cold could wear a mask. And you could maintain a safe distance from your end.

The same holds true for anxiety.

It passes from person to person if we are not conscious of it. And, unlike a cold, it can pass through screens as well.

It's good sense to maintain enough distance so that it doesn't spread. Especially since it is more challenging for the person with anxiety to put a mask on.