Did you know that when you sneeze, you spread more than 10,000 germs and bacteria up to 12 feet away? Not only that, but the particles travel at speeds of 100 feet per second!
The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba conducts an ongoing public awareness campaign aimed at helping Manitobans stay healthier. One of our province-wide campaigns focuses on cough and sneeze etiquette. While it’s been common practice to cover your mouth with your hands when you cough or sneeze, it is no longer the correct thing to do. Using your hands can result in germs being spread to everything you touch. The proper technique is demonstrated in our 60 second, 30 second and 5 second TV commercials – using a tissue to cover your mouth and then washing your hands immediately afterward or using the sleeve in the crook of your arm to trap the germs before they spread to others when a cough or sneeze sneaks up on you. We are pleased to provide links to our TV commercials and additional resources below.
Follow these tips to reduce the spread of colds and other germs:
- Cover your mouth with a tissue and dispose of it, then wash your hands immediately afterward.
- Sometimes a cough or sneeze sneaks up on you. If you don’t have a tissue available, the most effective method is to use your sleeve in the crook of your arm.
- The germs will become trapped in the fabric and prevents them from being spread to others.
- Teach your children and others the proper way to cough and sneeze and we’ll all be healthier for it!
