When you cough or sneeze, please turn your head away from others and cover your mouth with the full part of your hand. And then, you should say, “Excuse me.” This is a rule I set for my students
It is so simple, but many kinds have never been told to do this. In fact, I notice adults cough and sneeze in public without putting a hand over the mouth. I hate traveling by subway in New York during cold and flu season, because it is certain that someone is going to stand right behind me and cough or sneeze on my neck.
One important thing I point out to the kids is that after they sneeze or cough on their hand, they should wash their hands as soon as possible. Or they will be passing those germs (病菌) along to everything and everyone they touch.
In order to help the kids remember this rule, I tell them about an old story. It says that when you sneeze, evil spirits (幽灵) jump into your body. If you don't cover your mouth, the spirits will enter, but if you cover your mouth, you will keep them out, We say “God bless you” (上帝保佑你) when someone sneezes, and in Germany you should say “Gesundheit” (祝你健康). That means “Good health to you.” Both expressions are said just in case you didn't cover your mouth in time and the spirits were able to enter your body. The kids love finding out the origins (起源) of these expressions and it encourages them to put the advice to use more often.
