I don't want to become germophobic, but I haven't been able to ignore all the people I see sneezing without doing anything to cover their mouth, or using their hand and then wiping it on their clothes (ewww!). If nothing is done to capture the sneeze, it's very easy to see the spray enter the air we all must breathe. These days, I'm also careful not to touch any common surfaces, and when I open a door during the winter months, I usually keep my gloves on until I'm inside.
And then there's that old hand washing thing. In the ladies' restroom at the Senior Center, a sign reminds me to wash my hands for 20 seconds, or the equivalent of one chorus of "Happy birthday." I find it easy to sing happy birthday to myself while washing to make sure I use the full time.
If we all did the Dracula sneeze, there would be a lot less flu passed from person to person. I'm not quite flexible enough to get my arm all the way up there without pushing the outside of my elbow with the other arm. I've gotten good at doing this, and I notice I'm a left-handed Dracula sneezer (always sneeze into the crook of my left elbow). Have YOU got any ideas of other ways to keep from catching a cold or the flu? I'd love to hear!
:-)
I never heard it called that, but I've been trying to remember to do it. And yes, I only ever sneeze into my left elbow.
ReplyDeleteHow about living alone at the North Pole. Sorry. I am fresh out of ideas. I still got it and I used all the preventions methods I knew about. Nothing is going to be 100% effective as long as we have to share the same air with viruses and other people who don't cover their sneezes or wash their hands. I guess we need a good case of luck.
ReplyDeleteLOL!! I thought I was the only one that had to push their elbow to their face in order to assume the "Dracula pose!" I am not very good at it but am diligent about washing my hands right away when I get home from being out and about.
ReplyDeleteHow can you, the most flexible person in the world, not be able to get your elbow to your face??
ReplyDeleteJust carry around some hand sanitizer. It will help kill the germs.
Avoiding contact with sick people helps. If my kids or grandkids are sick, I stay away. I skipped my grandson's cub scout spaghetti supper this year, because last year people preparing the food were coughing and hacking and I ended up with a cold that lasted 3 weeks!
ReplyDeleteDon't leave your house and don't let anyone in! Yea, right! Wouldn't that be nice, though. Can you tell I'm craving alone time? And it really does cut down on chances of catching the flu.
ReplyDeleteConsidering I currently have a cold I've been doing a lot of Dracula sneezing lately. Although I think I got it from Lizzie so I guess I don't really have to do it around her to protect her, now if only she would learn to Dracula sneeze...I think she's too young though! :)
ReplyDeleteI really like that they are telling school kids to dracula sneeze, and it is a great way for them to remember it!
ReplyDeleteI have no other ideas...gargling may help clear out your throat too to avoid getting infected, but it is quite a virulent bug!
We take a Sauna two or three times a week..the steam kills all those germs in your nose..I disinfect our grocery cart..we take our vitamins and try to eat healthy:)
ReplyDeleteWhat is the matter I just passed by Rae's blog about noises that guys create and now it's the dracula sneeze! I remember my brother's Washington sneeze, can't figure? He sneezes while saying the word WAS-HING-TON! LOL! Without bothering to cover his mouth...ew!
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I use the Dracula sneeze, I also sneeze into my shoulder, never on my hands. Besides washing my hands, I use a lot of hand cleaner and keep some in my purse, my car, the kitchen, etc.
ReplyDeleteI knew a lady that carried Lysol with her, and heaven help you if you sneezed with covering! LOL
Sunny :)
Use a handkerchief! I too am amazed at how many people just cough and sneeze and do nothing to retain their own germs. I caught something last week and have suffered ever since. I'm sick and tired of it now and I'm ready to pass it on. Any takers?
ReplyDeleteI carry a small bottle of gel, like the ones that nurses use in the hospital, and that allows me to sterilise my hands when I'm not near a tap.
Blessings, Star
We all do the dracula sneeze(and cough) and the kids are being taught to do this at school. If you want to stay healthy, I would avoid small children at all costs. Spending one minute with one of the little buggers is the medical equivalent to licking a petri dish in an influenza factory.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, using a neti pot every other day can help clear out a lot of germs in your nasal passages before they take root in your system. I tend to use mine if I've been somewhere where there are a lot of sick people, like the mall or the pediatrician.
Good luck, and stay healthy!
I agree with Norma Jean. Since I’ve seen you touch your face to the floor without bending your knees, I can’t believe you can’t get your elbow to your face.
ReplyDeleteI do the dracula sneeze and the dracula cough (and sometimes even the dracula yawn).
I guess I get a bit ridiculous in public restrooms: Make sure the paper towel is ready to tear off before turning on the water. Wash with soap, then tear off the paper towel and use it to turn off the water and to pump the lever that makes more paper towels come out. Throw away the first towel and tear off the second to finish drying hands, then use that towel to open the door.
I always use the wipes that the grocery store provides to wipe off the handle of the cart before using it.
ReplyDeleteEven my 3 year old grandson knows how to do it and it's so cute!! I had to go to the doctor to have blood work...they had hand sanitizer by the desk...now I couldn't figure out how I could use it and then not touch the 2 doors going out ...so I asked for tissue and use that...
ReplyDeleteI guess we all have to be just a little germophobic these days. I have started cleaning the grocery cart handles. It's more allergies than colds but I do the Dracula pose as well if I don't have tissues handy.
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