Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Coughing - how do you do it?

48 replies

MissPoldark · 25/01/2020 13:48

Hopefully you do cover your mouth and cough away from others Smile but many people still use their hand to cover their mouth when (in the absence of a tissue) using the inside of your elbow is a more effective way of preventing the spread of germs.
www.nytimes.com/2018/02/27/health/how-to-sneeze.html

OP posts:
MissPoldark · 25/01/2020 13:48

www.nytimes.com/2018/02/27/health/how-to-sneeze.html

OP posts:
user1496146479 · 25/01/2020 16:29

Always cough into elbow!! Hate seeing people coughing into their hands & then touching stuff!

DoraleeRhodes · 25/01/2020 16:33

Elbow here too!

KnightandDay · 25/01/2020 16:34

Elbow

WingDefence · 25/01/2020 16:34

Yep, elbow and have taught the DCs to do the same.

Thunderpunt · 25/01/2020 16:37

And same goes for sneezing!

sundayfishfinger · 25/01/2020 16:39

Eh!? Elbow? When is this is thing?

Is this the same as trying to lick your elbow Grin

Medievalist · 25/01/2020 16:42

Hmmm. Have got a bad cough at the moment. There's no way I can cover my mouth with my elbow as effectively as I can with my hand.

steff13 · 25/01/2020 16:44

I always elbow cough and sneeze.

Buddyelf · 25/01/2020 16:47

Elbow as well! It’s called the vampire method in The US Office Grin

Curiosity101 · 25/01/2020 16:47

For me it absolutely depends what I'm wearing. If I can cover my mouth / nose better with my elbow then I will. But if I'm wearing a short sleeved t-shirt (for example) then I'll use my hands and attempt to wash them ASAP whilst trying to avoid touching things on the way (or if I can use hand sanitiser and then wash my hands that's even better).

BigGreenBaskets · 25/01/2020 16:50

Elbow/arm.

Sneezing into your hand is disgusting. You can't normally wash your hands properly straight away so everything you touch will be covered in your lovely sneezy germs. You may as well just cough into the air.

BigGreenBaskets · 25/01/2020 16:50

Coughing as well as sneezing I mean!

chesterfuckingdrorrs · 25/01/2020 16:52

Elbow the majority of the time (as long as it's covered with clothes)

If I have to cough into my hands I try to be holding a tissue or wash my hands straight after

fjreflycaramel · 25/01/2020 16:52

Elbow here too.

nachthexe · 25/01/2020 17:00

The reads like a 1980s safety commercial. It’s amazingly patronizing, but I’m trying to figure out whether the op is genuinely curious about how people cough, or performing a public information service. Fascinating.

Reginabambina · 25/01/2020 17:18

I leave the room and cough either into a handkerchief or scarf/elbow if I neglected to bring one with me.

MissPoldark · 25/01/2020 17:28

Grinsorry, I really didn’t intend to be patronising, I just rarely see other people doing it, and may other parents I know have taught their kids to cover their mouth with their hand.
I’m sick to the back teeth of people not covering their mouth when they cough. I’m gonna have to start telling people. I was thinking about sticking up some posters on the bus too. Might also hand out free tissues on the morning commute.

OP posts:
Picklypickles · 25/01/2020 17:44

I hold the sneezes in.

MissPoldark · 25/01/2020 18:12

Oh you should just let it out, I don’t think it’s very good for you to suppress a sneeze.

OP posts:
AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 25/01/2020 18:18

I picked up the elbow-sneeze and elbow-cough habit years ago and have no idea where or why: maybe in North Europe somewhere? But I do it without thinking at all.

And when I do it I always get the feeling people are looking at me as if I were mad.

If it really is becoming the norm I shall be very glad of it.

needanewnamechange · 25/01/2020 18:20

I've never heard or seen the elbow thing before . If I cough I'll use hand sanitizer/ wash hands as much as possible. Germs are still going to spread a little anyway .

MissPoldark · 25/01/2020 18:32

Oh, I meant to say I’m so pleased to hear there are actually many existing elbowers!

Is this the same as trying to lick your elbow

Only the inside Grin

OP posts:
AmazingGreats · 25/01/2020 18:50

I sneeze and cough somewhere near my arm between my arm pit and elbow, and wash my hands afterwards anyway. Force of habit I guess? I don't think I ever have time to get a tissue, unless I'm in bed with the flu or a sinus infection and the tissues are literally right next to me.

AmazingGreats · 25/01/2020 18:51

If I am near other people I step away and turn my head away from them as well, especially if there is any food in the general vicinity.

Swipe left for the next trending thread