Here are the Ethics of Sneezing and Coughing During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Sneezing is not a symptom of Covid-19, but it is as scary as a cough during a pandemic.

JAKARTA – Sneezing can occur due to various factors. Everyone can experience it when the air is cold, exposed to dust, so there is no clear reason for this.

In fact, sneezing is not a serious or outright dangerous condition. However, during a pandemic Covid-19 hit the world, sneezing becomes a big problem.

It is because sneezing produces a splash of saliva (droplet) in the air which is the main route of transmission of Covid-19. In fact, if someone is near you, they can inhale the sparks that are in the atmosphere for a period of time.

Not only sneezing, coughing is also a frightening thing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although it doesn’t always happen because of a viral infection or other dangerous disease, people do cough really need to be avoided.

Reported TodayThere are several things that must be considered when sneezing and coughing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although it is not always a symptom of this plague, we must be careful and protect ourselves and others from various potential infections.

First, always remember not to go out when you don’t feel well. Graham Snyder, medical director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says if you have reason to believe that coughs and sneezes are caused by a respiratory infection, then you shouldn’t be going anywhere.

In addition, if coughing or sneezing occurs due to allergies, such as during autumn in some countries of the world or inhaled plant pollen, there are several things that must be done. Stay away from people, because after all there is the potential for transmission of the virus when sneezing or coughing.

“Stay away from other people as far as possible to minimize the possibility of spreading the infection. Stay on face mask to help keep drooling from your sneeze or cough, “says Snyder.

Snyder said, with the mask still on, when sneezing or coughing, don’t forget to bend your elbows. This is important as ethics when experiencing sneezing or coughing before pandemic Covid-19 happen. He said coughing or sneezing on the inside of the elbow is the best way to limit the spread of germs.

If you have a spare mask, it’s best to change your mask after splashing your sneeze. However, if you don’t have a replacement mask, it’s okay to stick with it.

“I don’t think that substantially changes the risk to those around you, but the masks are probably very dirty already,” Snyder explained.

The thing to remember is to wash or change your mask every day. Snyder also says that after sneezing or coughing into your elbow, you don’t have to worry too much about what clothes you wear. That’s because the inside of your elbow is less likely to touch other surfaces.

“That’s why the inside of the elbow is preferred over the hand,” said Snyder.

If you cough or sneeze into your hands and touch something, you can contaminate the surface. Other people can touch the surface and potentially get sick.

One other piece of advice, if you have a seasonal allergy that causes you to cough or sneeze, take medication as directed to minimize this. You should also wear a mask whenever you’re with people you don’t live with, even when you’re with people you know.

The risk of infection from coughing, sneezing, or even talking is lower when you wear a mask. If you don’t wear a mask when you cough or sneeze, for example at home or while driving, coughing or sneezing can be covered with a tissue.

If you don’t have a tissue, when you cough or sneeze bend your elbows. Don’t forget to always wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.

Source: Republic

–