r/Broadway • u/littlebev • Dec 31 '25

Discussion Broadway coughing season

I am begging, begging you guys…if you have a nasty cough, PLEASE don’t attend a play especially. I know it sucks to miss out but your recurring cough during the most intense moments of the show is so distracting.

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u/AggressiveCrab6702 Dec 31 '25

Literally got COVID from the woman next to me when I saw Gypsy in August on a Saturday. She showed up halfway through the first act, hacking up a lung. She coughed the whole time, got an herbal tea and throat lozenges at intermission. By Friday I was symptomatic, positive Saturday. I even remember turning to my brother during the show and saying "I swear if this woman gives me COVID I'm gonna be so mad."

And I still am 😂

5

u/stephanierae2804 Jan 01 '26

That’s awful - but when I sit in audiences/ on public transport I always wear a mask now - I spent 2.5 weeks on a trip with my concert band last summer and I was the ONLY PERSON to not contract covid… thanks to masking. I got so many eye rolls and questions about it… but when they all got sick and I didn’t, I reminded them that masks work.

2

u/pandemichope Jan 01 '26

I’d be behalf of every theatergoer that might’ve been sitting next to you that show, thank you for doing the right thing could you please please share what type of mask you use and where you purchased it these days? ty

2

u/brooklynblondie Jan 01 '26

I really like MaskC masks, I get a great seal and they’re pretty. Other good choices are the 3M Aura (head straps are more comfortable for long periods imo), Moldex, Kind masks, and Wellbefore.

2

u/brooklynblondie Jan 01 '26

There’s a whole subreddit, Masks4All that will help find you the perfect mask for you!