Ah Chew!

This is nothing to sneeze at.

Good advice from Miss Manners on sneezing/coughing in public.

Hey.. I know it's a little random.

But it is the cold and flu season!

Dear Miss Manners,

I sneezed at my job. I did what I always do -- I cupped my hands in front of my nose and mouth as I sneezed. My co-worker commented to me that I should have sneezed into the elbow of my arm, as this is the proper way to prevent germs from being on my hands and getting spread around. It seems awkward to sneeze into my elbow. If a sneeze comes up without warning, is it okay to cup my hands or should I be hooking my elbow up to catch it? I also felt it was rude of her to offer any suggestion to me at all.

Gentle Reader,
There is an ingenious item that could solve your problem. It is considered standard equipment for all ladies and gentleman, and it is cheap, almost weightless and takes up very little room.
Prudent people carry two, so as always to have a clean one. It is called -- did anyone guess? -- a handkerchief.
It is kept immediately available, in a pocket or purse or tucked into a sleeve, because you never know when you're going to need it.
Yes, Miss Manners knows that you prefer to use paper tissue.
Use them if you must.
Anything is better than the alternatives from which you asked Miss Manners to choose.

Good advice.
But it's hard to look cool when you whip out the old hankie.
Emphasize the word old.
"Hey grandpa, nice hankie!"
Thanks.
Ah....these are the times that try men's and women's souls.
In a manner of speaking.
See ya on the radio,
Kurt