What a sneeze is: A sneeze expels air, mucus, droplets, irritants, and microorganisms from the nose and mouth. These droplets may contain infectious bacteria and viruses.

How far sneezes travel: A sneeze can expel thousands of droplets at speeds approaching 100 miles per hour. Fluid-dynamics research shows droplets can travel over 20 feet and, in controlled indoor conditions, up to approximately 30 feet. [A]

How sneezing harms others:

Airborne inhalation: Fine droplets may remain suspended in the air and be inhaled by people nearby, especially indoors. [A]

Surface contamination: Droplets land on seforim, shtenders, doorknobs, tables, benches, and other shared objects. Infection may occur when these surfaces are touched and then the face is touched. [B]

You can spread illness even if you feel well: Medical research shows that people can transmit infection while asymptomatic or before symptoms appear. Germs harmless to one person may cause illness in another. [A]

Sneezing into hands spreads germs: Sneezing into hands transfers germs directly onto the skin, which are then spread to shared objects and surfaces. [B]

How long germs last on surfaces: Respiratory viruses may persist for hours to days depending on the surface: several hours on porous materials, up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to 2–3 days on plastic and stainless steel. [B]

Illnesses spread: Influenza, RSV, pertussis, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections are transmitted through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. [A]

Halachic basis: The Gemara in Bava Kamma (3a) classifies expelled bodily matter as “kicho v’nio.” While airborne it is treated as “adam hamazik.” After it comes to rest it is treated as “bor.” There are poskim who include sneezing, even as fine mist, within this framework. At a minimum, according to all opinions, this constitutes “grama b’nezakin.”

Causing distress (tza’ar): Causing distress to another person is forbidden even without medical harm. See Rambam, Hilchos Shecheinim 11:5, and Igros Moshe, Choshen Mishpat II:18.

Causing disgust: Included in divine judgment for “hakol ne’elam” is causing disgust to another person. See Chagigah 5a and Maharsha (ibid).

Correct conduct: Sneeze into the inside of the elbow, fully covering mouth and nose. Dispose of tissues immediately and wash or sanitize hands. Never sneeze openly in communal spaces.

Medical Sources:

[A] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): respiratory droplet transmission and asymptomatic spread; MIT Fluid Dynamics (Bourouiba et al.) sneeze gas-cloud studies.

[B] National Institutes of Health / PubMed Central (NIH/PMC): surface survival of respiratory viruses and hand-to-surface transmission studies.

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