Sneezing

'Tis the season...to catch germs.

People in stores, schools, and businesses are sniffling and sneezing and when someone sneezes we say, "God Bless you."

That's because in the middle ages people thought our breath was our soul. The soul left the body when someone sneezed and an evil spirit might quickly slip in, but saying "God Bless You" kept them from doing that.

Of course we don't believe that anymore, but there are still things we can do to help with sneezing.

It's important to teach kids to sneeze or cough into their arms, not their hands, because germs on hands will be transferred to everything they touch.

Of course we all make sure kids wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. But they may not know public restrooms often have germs on faucet handles (touched before people washed) and door handles (because some people don't wash their hands before leaving) so it's a good idea to cover those with a paper towel before using them.

And please keep sick kids home from school and other public places to keep them from spreading their sneezes to others. Even people who got flu shots may catch colds and other contagious illnesses.