This is with reference to the report “MERS war stepped up as 5 lives lost in 1 day” (Feb. 21).

Some people claim that road accidents in the Kingdom cause more deaths than this dreaded virus. We should initiate an effective public awareness campaign to fight this virus, as many people are still not fully aware of basic health practices. We frequently see people sneezing in the public without covering their mouths with their hands thus putting people in their surrounding at the risk of contracting various contagious viruses.

One should try to sneeze without sounding ridiculous and avoid stifling himself or spraying his immediate vicinity with germs. How often we hear the sneeze of a person, who lives next door? One actually sneezes around 5,000 droplets of mucus and airs at speeds of up to 100 mph. It is also on record that nearly 2,500 road accidents take place in a week in Europe through drivers sneezing while behind the wheel. It is advisable for those who are sneeze prone and others to wear surgical facemask to protect inhalation of airborne contaminants. This also can serve as a precautionary method against MERS.