Coughs and sneezes happen to everyone. Just like washing hands, covering them keeps germs from spreading to other people.
Key idea
Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, turn away from people and food, and wash or clean your hands after.
Why it works
Coughs and sneezes spray tiny drops. Covering them keeps the drops off other people, food and the things everyone touches.
If you feel a sneeze coming, you have a second or two. Turn your head away and lift your elbow. That is all it takes.
Worked example: Let's practice
Ruby has a tissue and needs to cough. What does she do?
- She coughs into the tissue.
- She throws the tissue in the trash.
- She washes her hands.
Answer: Tissue, trash, wash.
Common mistake
Coughing into an open hand and then touching things others use. The inside of the elbow is the better spot when there is no tissue.
For the grown-up. Practice “elbow sneezes” as a silly game, so it becomes a reflex. Keep tissues where little hands can reach them, and a trash can nearby.