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If you were standing in line at the movie theater to buy popcorn and you observed the vendor coughing violently and sneezing, do you ...

... allow him/her to serve you the popcorn or do you switch lines? Would you request another vendor serve you if you were unable to switch lines?
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pjmom23
pjmom23
Marked as Best! November 21, 2009 04:26 PM
Lord, don't switch lines, that won't help at all. When a person sneezes, they spray 95+ miles per hour in a broad area of about 15-20 feet around them a fine mist of the virus/allergy/contagion/bacteria (this would then cover the next vendor's area of service, too, and your food from them would be contaminated). If outdoors: One sneeze can shower 100,000 bacteria into the air. The spray can travel as far as any wind current can take it, which can be 100+ miles. (yeah no kidding!)

Therefore, when it's your turn to be served, ask them if they are the manager or can they speak with the manager. You need to ask management to get a mask for this person to wear immediately! The mask would need to be changed every 2-4 hours of work, because sneezes make it wet, and wet it isn't as effective. They are dealing with people's food and drinks, and need to be washing their hands repeatedly, too because of their problem sneezing. If this isn't possible, then they need to send this person home from work, or at least away from the food because it will all become contaminated within a short time, if this person is repeatedly sneezing.
Source(s):
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_you_sneeze_how_many_miles_per_hour_does_the_...
http://www.pattiwood.net/uploads/final%20sneeze%20article.pdf
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/04/masks-can-help-prevent-swin...
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jenaisle
jenaisle
November 21, 2009 05:31 PM
I would definitely switch lines or talk to whoever is in charge to allow the sick vendor to have a day off. Viruses , like colds and flu are spread through droplets of air or mucus coming from sneezes and coughs.

You may want to read this article relating to prevention of colds.

http://www.helium.com/items/1273179-how-to-prevent-and-reduce-the-effects-of-colds
Source(s):
http://www.helium.com/items/1273179-how-to-prevent-and-reduce-the-effects-o...
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brandy76
brandy76
November 21, 2009 11:00 PM
I wouldn't buy the popcorn, since the sneezing person has likely been near it and it is very possible that his germs would be on the popcorn. I would switch lines and buy something prepackaged and I would likely wipe it off with a disinfecting wipe before opening it. I would also wash my hands before eating it.
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thebandit
thebandit
November 22, 2009 03:33 AM
Honestly, I'd get out of the line completely. As others have said, particles from sneezing travel a long, LONG way. You don't know what he's touched or sneezed on. It isn't just that one line. And while I'm normally not finicky about germs, this just crosses a line. Besides, movie popcorn just isn't worth it -- overpriced, greasy and always seems to make me sick. Why risk yet another kind of sickness?
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gamchep
gamchep
November 24, 2009 03:47 PM
Sir
I would switch lines and ask somebody else to serve me. I would ask the management to let the vendor go off work till he was better
Regards
Gamchep
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