Out in public with a cough? Here’s a quick guide to proper etiquette

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the country to go on lockdown for several years, many Filipinos have learned to be wary of the tell-tale signs that they’re coming down with a sickness — be it a case of the seasonal cough or cold.

Years after the lockdowns were lifted, the same caution continues — especially with the occasional rise in influenza-like cases whenever the flu season rolls around. Workplaces and schools even advise their workers and students to stay home when they feel unwell or begin to develop cough or colds, as germs can spread quickly with a simple sneeze or cough. What more if it’s in a bigger public space with hundreds of people — like kids and senior citizens?

All this said, here’s a quick guide to the proper etiquette for coughing when you’re in public.

1. Cough into a tissue

Let’s face it, we’ve all been in the situation where we suddenly get the urge to cough while we’re in the middle of a crowded area. It’s unavoidable, so the best way to go about it is to minimize the spread of germs as much as you can.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that you cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough, and then dispose of it right after.

If you don’t have tissue, cough into your elbow — never into your hands or open air, infectious disease specialist Frank Esper, MD told Cleveland Clinic. And when you do let your cough out, make sure you are facing away from other people.

South Australia’s public health department also advises against using cloth handkerchiefs, as these are not disposable and can even double as a breeding ground for germs.

2. Sanitize your hands

The next step is to sanitize your hands. According to Cleveland Clinic, our hands are how respiratory illnesses often spread — with bacteria growing with every other hand we shake and surface we touch.

Head to the nearest restroom to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, and if there are no sinks available, lather some anti-bacterial alcohol on your hands. The same thing goes for all the surfaces you touched right after coughing.

3. Mask up

Wear a mask if you feel unwell. This isn’t just for your own health, but for the safety of those around you, too. The CDC attests that helps prevent the spread of virus transmission from respiratory diseases by containing your own infectious particles, while also protecting you from breathing in that of the people in your surroundings.

4. Stay home

Unless your reason for going out in public is absolutely necessary, just stay home. This way, you can recover from your cough safely, and you can lessen the risk of passing it on to other people — especially individuals with weaker immune systems, like children and senior citizens.

What other tips do you have? – Rappler.com