MMeM, Vol. 15 Issue 12 – Achoo!

I

t’s been a year since I started my new job in the medical industry. There have been so many things to learn and educate myself about over the past 13 months. I’m a listener, an observer, and I adjust accordingly. One of the things I noticed early on was that health care providers always coughed or sneezed into their elbows. To be medically anatomically correct, they do this into their cubital fossa or elbow pits.

Yes, I know I’d been told that over the years as a kid, but best I managed was covering my expectorant which was usually with my hand.  Subsequently, I was determined to make this change. I thought it would be difficult for me to commit to it as I don’t consider myself at all limber enough to twist quickly to use my elbow pit in time to catch a cough or sneeze. But, I adopted it in no time and it’s a bonafide habit!

I digress. I have pondered about this from time to time. What does all of this cubital fossa coughing and sneeze targeting mean for other parts of society? What do I mean you ask?

Well, what about…

Just old-fashioned escorting? No, not that kind of “escorting”, this kind!

What about square dancing? People still do that! And, they get a bit sweaty and heated while swinging by their elbow pits which may or may not be germ infested petri dishes?

And then you have sports teams, protesting anthems by locking cubital fossa on 3 on 3!

Look, just sayin’. Something to think about. Don’t forget to clean your elbow pits and hinges. You never know when you’re going to kick up your heels on the square dance floor or lock cubital fossas in protest!