# Why can't people cover their freaking mouth when they sneeze/cough? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 15, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225 "2010-04-15T16:15:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/1 "2010-04-15T16:15:15Z")
So I was on the train today, and there’s a woman sitting directly in front of me, all sniffly. She sneezes at least three times, turning her head a little to the side, I think. But does she bother to cover her mouth? Noooooo, of course not. Now, I have no idea if sitting right behind her makes me safe, or if the AC or whatever could have blown her germs towards me, but I got pretty irritated regardless. My mood got worse when I was on an escalator on my way up to work. A guy on the step or two in front of me just coughs, and doesn’t cover HIS mouth either. And since I’m on an escalator, and maybe to the side of him, I probably got a faceful of his coughed-up bits as I rode up! Why the hell do some people not cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze? Do these disease vectors think I want to breathe in whatever junk they’ve got in their lungs? Do they not CARE that they’re spreading their swine flu or black plague or whatever every time they do that? Do they even THINK about it? I believe I know the answer. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![statsman1982](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/2 "2010-04-15T16:20:59Z")
Well, the guy in the elevator could have been caught by surprise with the cough. I know that I’ve been in situations where I didn’t have much warning. But, in general, people are thoughtless about these things. It’s in the same category as those who don’t wash their hands before leaving a bathroom. They think their germs are somehow better or less harmful than others, and those who are offended by being exposed to them are just paranoid. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/3 "2010-04-15T17:00:00Z")
Spit in their eye and say “Right back atcha ten times.”. I hate those people. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/4 "2010-04-15T21:25:14Z")
My sister loves to retell the story of when I was JUST done being deathly ill with something horrid, I’m talking weeks of being so sick it was ridiculous. We went up to a casino for the day and I was super paranoid- I must have washed my hands 10,000 times and was using purell like it was going out of style. Finally it’s the end of the day and I’m walking up to the cage cashier to cash out…some asshole walks right in front of me, FACING ME and sneezes a huge, wet sneeze directly into my face. OMFG. I hate those people so much. DIAF germ coughers/sneezers. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/5 "2010-04-15T23:02:13Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > ? Do they not CARE that they’re spreading their swine flu or black plague or whatever every time they do that? Do they even THINK about it? I believe the reason might be that invisible things can’t hurt us. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/6 "2010-04-15T23:26:39Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > So I was on the train today, and there’s a woman sitting directly in front of me, all sniffly. She sneezes at least three times, turning her head a little to the side, I think. But does she bother to cover her mouth? Noooooo, of course not. She doesn’t want to risk getting yucky sneezy stuff all over her hand. Better to expel it into the atmosphere where it will be instantly diluted into nothingness (unless you believe in homeopathy, in which case it will be immensely powerful). I am sure that no one on the SDMB has ever sneezed or coughed without making every effort to avoid potentially infecting another person, so the OP has no chance of changing anyone’s behavior. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/7 "2010-04-15T23:28:34Z")
[QUOTE=Jackmannii] She doesn’t want to risk getting yucky sneezy stuff all over her hand. [/QUOTE] I was taught that you should sneeze into the crook of your elbow. Not only is it (supposedly) more hygiene, but it also keeps yucky stuff off your hands… -XT ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/8 "2010-04-16T00:16:04Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Do they not CARE that they’re spreading their swine flu or black plague or whatever every time they do that? Do they even THINK about it? For a large subset of people answer to both is obviously no. They are the center of the universe, and totally oblivious to how **any** of their their actions at all affect other people. To them you are effectively moving scenery. I don’t understand why the 80s was the “Me Decade” because I don’t remember meeting half as many self-centered people back then compared to now… ---
**Author:** ![Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fake_Tales_of_San_Francisco)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/9 "2010-04-16T01:48:46Z")
Though I do make every effort to cover sneezes and coughs, it does sometimes catch me by surprise, so I do apologise for that, if that makes you feel any better, which it probably doesn’t. Also, with no tissues handy, it’s possibly just as bad, since I’ll be touching walls, seats, rails, door knobs and whatever else with my diseased hand, no doubt spreading the germs even further. Also, I am only ever ‘ill’ for a less than a day, so unfortunately I can’t imagine what it feels like to be under the constant threat of being infected with something. I don’t usually mind the odd cold or sore throat, makes me feel like my immune system is doing something useful for change. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/10 "2010-04-16T13:42:32Z")
I have a bad habit of coughing with my mouth open. My boyfriend points it out and I try to get in the habit of covering, especially when I’m contagious. But I forget a lot. I saw a cashier at Publix sneeze into her shirt last week - lifted up her shirt over her nose so she sneezed all over her chest. I can’t imagine how that feels. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/11 "2010-04-16T13:57:50Z")
As the mother of a kindergartener, I can’t recall the last time I saw someone _not_ cover. I am immersed in a world of elbow-high elbow-pit martinets. The other day, I coughed in my own home, on the entire other side of the room from **ValleyGirl** , and she was shocked. “Ma-MAAA! Don’t you know you need to cough in your elbow!?” ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/12 "2010-04-16T14:13:43Z")
> [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](#): > > Though I do make every effort to cover sneezes and coughs, it does sometimes catch me by surprise, so I do apologise for that, if that makes you feel any better, which it probably doesn’t. > Also, with no tissues handy, it’s possibly just as bad, since I’ll be touching walls, seats, rails, door knobs and whatever else with my diseased hand, no doubt spreading the germs even further. > > Also, I am only ever ‘ill’ for a less than a day, so unfortunately I can’t imagine what it feels like to be under the constant threat of being infected with something. I don’t usually mind the odd cold or sore throat, makes me feel like my immune system is doing something useful for change. 😕 If you are sick, even for one bloody day, carry some tissues with you. Goodness. I have allergies, a lot. You can’t catch them, but that doesn’t mean I am not almost always prepared with tissues, and I wash my hands a dozen times a day. And I don’t get any severe sicknesses (knock on wood) but when I get a cold it carries on for about a week. I don’t want to be sick for a week because you couldn’t be arsed to carry a tissue. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/13 "2010-04-16T19:41:38Z")
> [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](#): > > Also, with no tissues handy, it’s possibly just as bad, since I’ll be touching walls, seats, rails, door knobs and whatever else with my diseased hand, no doubt spreading the germs even further. You sneeze on _your hands?!?!_ Why the fuck would you do that?! > [@Lionne](#): > > I saw a cashier at Publix sneeze into her shirt last week - lifted up her shirt over her nose so she sneezed all over her chest. I can’t imagine how that feels. That’s what I do, more often than not. I sneeze out of my mouth, though, so if anything, I’m just spraying tiny bits of spit onto my shirt. No biggie. ---
**Author:** ![StuffLikeThatThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@StuffLikeThatThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StuffLikeThatThere)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/14 "2010-04-16T21:05:25Z")
> [@Lionne](#): > > I saw a cashier at Publix sneeze into her shirt last week - lifted up her shirt over her nose so she sneezed all over her chest. I can’t imagine how that feels. I’ve done this. Especially if I have my hands full of something (like a kid) and I don’t have much warning and no time to dig out a tissue. My shirt is right there and it only takes one hand to grab it. I’ve had people look askance at me for it. They’d rather I sneezed in their faces? ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/15 "2010-04-16T21:15:42Z")
Everybody in Doperland sneezes and coughs quietly, like field mice or Catholic schoolgirls. When they sneeze, they all feel a strong sense that they’re going to beforehand, and they’re never caught by surprise. They’re also all aware of contemporary hospital-style sneezing protocol, and release into elbow pits rather into their hands, as they were taught by their thoughtless parents in less enlightened days. Nobody in Doperland has allergies, bouts of bronchitis, chest colds, or sneezing attacks. Also, nobody ever uses leaf blowers, or cell phones in public. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/16 "2010-04-16T21:44:32Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I don’t understand why the 80s was the “Me Decade” because I don’t remember meeting half as many self-centered people back then compared to now… This is because you are now an old. And pull your pants down from your goddamned belly button. > [@statsman1982](#): > > It’s in the same category as those who don’t wash their hands before leaving a bathroom. They think their germs are somehow better or less harmful than others, and those who are offended by being exposed to them are just paranoid. Handwashing is more for your own protection than for others. Unless the person is about to toss your salad with their bare hands, you’re pretty much going to be fine. When you wash your hands, it means that when you touch your face later, you won’t be rubbing those germs you picked up into your eyes, mouth, and nose. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/17 "2010-04-16T22:56:59Z")
I usually do. I have been known, however, when suffering from an allergy attack and doing something that involves the continued use of my right arm, to not do so in the interest of not doing something immediately catastrophic. And sometimes one might sneak up on me. If I have allergies, it’s vaguely gross, but it’s not really dangerous. > [@Chessic Sense](#): > > You sneeze on your hands?!?! Why the fuck would you do that?! I was taught to do that in school. I’ve since learned to sneeze into my elbow. Not everyone might’ve gotten the memo–and, even if they have, it’s sometimes hard to learn to change something that’s become a reflex. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/18 "2010-04-18T02:58:42Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > I sneeze out of my mouth That’s rude! The proper thing to do is sneeze out of your ears (it’s an acquired ability). That way the contagion is expelled out to the sides and the person in front of or behind you is spared. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/19 "2010-04-18T03:24:13Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > That’s rude! > > The proper thing to do is sneeze out of your ears (it’s an acquired ability). That way the contagion is expelled out to the sides and the person in front of or behind you is spared. > [@Lionne](#): > > I have a bad habit of coughing with my mouth open… Learn to do it out your ears, too. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225/20 "2010-04-18T04:22:26Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > Unless the person is about to toss your salad with their bare hands… I have to tell you, what you’re saying here is not what I thought you were saying here the first time I read it… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-people-cover-their-freaking-mouth-when-they-sneeze-cough/536225.md?page=2)