If there were ever a perfect time to practice good cough & sneezing etiquette and hand hygiene, it’s now. We’ve been locked in this pandemic for over a year and we’re all more aware of how easy it is to spread viruses.
Before coronavirus, it was normal to go to work, school, dine-in in a restaurant and travel with a mild cough or runny nose. But these days, the slightest sniffle is bound to raise alarm from those around you.
Here’s what you need to know if you find yourself coughing or sneezing around others. Virus that causes like COVID-19 are commonly transmitted between people through direct, indirect (through contaminated objects or surfaces), or close contact with infected people via mouth and nose secretions. These include saliva, respiratory secretions or secretion droplets. These are released from the mouth or nose when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings for example. People who are in close contact (within 1 meter) with an infected person can catch COVID-19 when those infectious droplets get into their mouth, nose or eyes.
Typical cough and sneezes etiquette should be followed and practiced at home and outdoor (even from people who are fully vaccinated):
- Cover cough and sneezes. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose every single time you cough or sneeze. Resort to coughing into your elbow if a tissue is not available. Never cough into your hands or open air.
- Always turn your face away from people around you when coughing or sneezing.
- Place your used tissue immediately in the trash can. If you cough or sneeze onto a hard surface like a desk or telephone, clean it immediately with a disposable disinfectant wipe to remove the germs or viruses.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 15–20 seconds every time you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands every time you touch a contaminated object like a tissue. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizing products containing ≥ 60% alcohol.
Serious respiratory viruses are commonly spread by unclean hands and touching your face after touching contaminated surfaces. So, it’s incredibly important to wash your hands, sanitize and to always cover up when you cough or sneeze.
Additional hygiene etiquette tips to practice:
- Wash your hands often, especially at key times when you are likely to get and spread virus.
- Don’t touch your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands. If you do, immediately wash your hands before touching anything else.
- Sanitize surfaces you may have coughed on or touched with contaminated hands.
- Refrain from shaking hands, kissing or hugging.
- If you’re sick, keep away from others, especially those who are considered high-risk.
Think you might be sick, but not sure what to do? When in doubt, it’s best to be careful rather than taking a risk, especially if you’ve been in contact with someone who has already been sick. Stay home and call your doctor ahead of time before going in for an appointment.
Again, if you’re feeling under the weather – please stay home. You’ll be doing your part to slow the spread of colds, flu and COVID-19 if you just stay home and rest to recharge your immunity.
AA VI Angelyn P. Intal, RND
References:
https://www.who.int/vietnam/news/detail/14-07-2020-q-a-how-is-covid-19-transmitted
- Cough and Sneeze Etiquette