Covering coughs is not just good manners during flu season, especially this year, when H1N1 flu is spreading rapidly.
Earlier this week, I traveled from Seattle to Eugene and back to Portland by train, and was appalled at the number of coughing U of O students (apparent by their age and their O or Ducks logo clothing) who failed to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing.
I’m sure that most of these students were taught by their mothers, teachers and school nurses to use tissues when coughing or sneezing in order to prevent spreading their infections to others. It’s not just courteous, it’s a matter of public health.
I accept university students as adults. I only wish that their behavior when coughing or sneezing was adult behavior.
Cover those coughs, folks. We don’t need a flu pandemic in our universities.
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Students need to cover coughing, especially in face of H1N1 pandemic
Daily Emerald
November 1, 2009
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