MP's advice to stop a sneeze

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Thursday, May 07, 2009
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This is SouthWales

THOSE about to sneeze should press their tongue firmly against the roof of their mouth, an MP advised today.

Following a swine flu statement in the Commons, Labour's Nia Griffith (Llanelli) suggested the advice should be included in official guidance on preventing the spread of infection.

But Health Secretary Alan Johnson said he had "roadtested" the theory and it did not work.

Ms Griffith said: "In talking to people about how we can prevent the spread of infection, I have been very surprised to find out how very few people know that you can actually prevent a sneeze by licking the roof of your mouth.

"By putting your tongue firmly against the top of your mouth, you can stop a sneeze coming out or at least stave it off long enough until you've got a handkerchief out of your bag.

"I would like to ask you if you might consider including this in advice to people about how to prevent the spread of infection."

Mr Johnson replied: "You very helpfully passed me a note last week after the statement about this and I'd never heard about it before.

"All I can say is I've roadtested it and so has my right honourable friend (Health Minister Dawn Primarolo) and it doesn't work.

"So I think what we need perhaps is some instruction from you."

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9 Comments

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by Andy, Swansea

    Friday, May 08 2009, 5:13PM

    “Good old Alan Johnson. From head of the communication Workers union representing postal workers and fighting the Tory governments plans to privatise Royal Mail and opposing New Labours plans to remove Clause four Part four from the party statutes to sitting in the big house looking at ways to prevent sneezing.”

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by Geraint, llanelli

    Friday, May 08 2009, 1:41PM

    “Great advice Nia... (S)NOT!
    With your words of wisdom ringing around my head I was driving home from work when a huge sneeze began to build up from the bottom of my socks - not panicing I followed your instructions and pressed the roof of my mouth wih my tounge and...hey presto my nose erupted and my whole windscreen was swamped! I'm lucky I didn't crash. Windowlene anyone?”

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by Anon, carms

    Friday, May 08 2009, 1:12PM

    “thats nice to know. will it also keep away welsh Nats as well if i sneeze , as i looked at there so called MEP election on TV and thats all it wason about Llanelli, what about the rest of wales. come down west and see what's it like as well.”

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by maddentist, looking on in amazement

    Friday, May 08 2009, 4:57AM

    “My advice is to take a laxative daily and then you daren't sneeze.”

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by Dale, Swansea

    Thursday, May 07 2009, 10:04PM

    “This all rediculous scare mongering, swine flu is no more deadly than seasonal flu”

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