Dear Margar-etiquette,

No matter how many times I ask, my husband continues to cough into his hand. I know that was the correct etiquette when we were growing up. But it has been adjusted to use the bend in your elbow for decades, right? Can you please help him (and others) avoid spreading germs all over the place?

Thank you,
Holding My Breath

Dear Breath,

Yes, the etiquette around coughing has indeed changed—and for good reason. What we know now about how germs travel has transformed polite behavior into preventive health care.

Let’s look at the facts. A single cough can release about 3,000 droplets into the air, some shooting out at nearly 50 miles per hour. Larger droplets can travel up to eight feet, while smaller ones can hang in the air for hours, long enough to be inhaled or settle onto surfaces others will touch. Add air circulation systems and shared spaces, and that one little cough might go farther than you think.

So, if you’ve got a cold, a tickle in your throat, or even just a dry windpipe, cover your mouth—and do it the right way. Here’s what etiquette (and public health) asks of us:

DO:

• Cough into your bent elbow
• Use a tissue or paper towel if available
• Wash or sanitize your hands immediately afterward
• Dispose of tissues properly and promptly
• Stay home when you’re sick

DO NOT:

• Cough into bare hands
• Cough into a sleeve or shirt that you continue wearing
• Touch public surfaces immediately after coughing into your hands
• Keep used tissues in your pocket or on a desk
• Share your germs—or your utensils

If your husband grew up learning that covering a cough with the hand was good manners, he’s right—it was. But etiquette evolves alongside knowledge. What once felt courteous can now be unhygienic. Updating our habits is not only about staying current—it’s about showing respect for those around us.

In the end, etiquette is about how our behavior affects others. Health-conscious manners like these are small but powerful ways to show care and consideration. Whether it’s a dinner party or a doctor’s office waiting room, good etiquette keeps shared spaces safe and pleasant—for everyone.

Courtesy is contagious. Let’s spread that instead.

Margar-etiquette

#LITA (Love Is The Answer)