Imagine you are standing in a cramped elevator, waiting to get out of this forced uncomfortable situation, when someone behind you sneezes. As a wave of hot air rushes out of their mouth and nose, you feel the germs droplets landing on the back of your neck causing you to shiver with repulsion. You, my friend, have just been slimed.
Many people have had an experience like this, making them wish everyone had been taught how to keep their germs to themselves. Today’s best medical advice is that sneezing into the crook of our elbow or directly into a tissue is best to prevent the spread of germs. But there are many adults out there in public raised on the idea that sneezing into your hand is the way to corral your germs.
The proper etiquette for this bodily function has changed over the past few decades from handkerchiefs to hands, with an emphasis on the ‘elbow shield’ coming into vogue in the 1990s. This means that people who practice the pre-90s habit of using the hand cover are likely contributing to the spread of germs – germs that will not only make their family, friends and co-workers sick, but that might circle back around to bite them a second time.
So, let it be known that the recommendation for preventing the spread of cold and flu germs is to cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand. It is also wise to get your flu shot, wash hands frequently, keep common surface areas clean and disinfected and finally, stay home if you are sick.
Only you should experience your sneeze and adopting the most up-to-date sneeze etiquette will minimize your chance of getting sick, as well as those around you.
