“Cover your mouth when you cough” is just the beginning of the manners that can keep an ill person from being a complete horror in public. Ideally, of course, we wouldn’t leave the house when we are sick but that just is not the reality. It is up to us as parents to teach our children what is appropriate manners for coping with an illness while out in public.
The idea for this article came to me when I was sitting on the bus and two ADULTS were coughing, sniffing, and sneezing behind me without any regard for the people around them. One of my thoughts was what bad examples they were both setting for youngsters. It is hard enough as parents to teach our children what is appropriate manners and behaviors without other adults setting such a low bar of expectations. There are some simple “sick” manners that we can share with our kids (and use ourselves.)
Of course we are going to cough and sneeze in public, but one should definitely cover one’s mouth. If a “coughing fit” is coming on, it is polite to step outside the room. Sure, you might be on a plane or bus and not have anywhere to go, but stepping to the back of the room or outside, getting a drink of water and waiting until the bout of coughs or sneezes passes before re-entering the group is just good manners.
Additionally, while blowing one’s nose is also something best done away from a group (definitely!), it is better to blow the nose than to sniff and sniff and sniff. Or, for little children, to just let their noses run. Keep plenty of tissue or a handkerchief handy and blow the nose instead of sniffing and snorting. Dispose of used tissue immediately, as well, instead of carrying it around and pulling it out to use again—also poor manners.
Finally, while this is not necessarily a “manner”—teach children early to wash their hands (and faces) when sick as often as possible. This is just a thoughtful way of trying to keep from spreading more germs than absolutely necessary.
See Also: The HEALTH Blog