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We've been taught all our lives to cover our mouths when we cough.
It is now recognized that using our hands to cover our mouths makes us more contagious,
spreading germs through shaking hands and touching common things like doorknobs.
To prevent this, if you do not have a tissue handy, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) recommend that you cough into your upper sleeve (see www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm). In other words, each time you cough (or sneeze), bury your mouth (or nose) into your shoulder. This
will capture as many respiratory droplets as possible.
If you accidentally cough or sneeze into your hand(s), please help protect others by excusing yourself
immediately and washing your hands. To help spread the word, every time you see someone cough into his
or her hand(s), smile and say, "No Hand Coughs!" Then, hand him or her your bottle of
alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Not catching
disease is every bit as important as not spreading disease. The reality is that you have mostly
yourself to blame (more than others) if you "catch" a cold, because you usually get sick from self-inoculation (touching
your face, eyes, nose, mouth, etc. without washing your hands first). Having a "healthy paranoia" will significantly
reduce your chances of getting sick. One never knows where viruses or other bugs are hiding; therefore: - Always assume something you touch is contaminated, and never touch
your face, eat or drink something before washing your hands or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
This is especially important after shaking hands.
- Never eat or drink from someone
else's plate or cup, or use someone else's utensils.
- Do not
kiss anyone if you are sick or if that person might be ill.
By doing all these these things, we can significantly reduce the burden of communicable disease on personal health
and happiness, the workforce, and the healthcare system in general.
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