How To Avoid Getting Sick At New York Comic Con

This past weekend, I was at New York Comic Con, the annual convention of nerds gathered in one big building dressed either as their favorite Star Wars character or a weird dog from an anime show that only six people watched. This was my fourth year going, and as always, I had a blast, except for one thing: I got really, really sick as a result of it.

And think about it: you're stuffed in one place, unable to move among thousands of other people for a prolonged period of time (plus the lack of sunlight we get from spending all our time playing video games in the basement just wrecks our immune systems). It's a wonder New York Comic Con didn't get me sick before now.

So, it got me thinking about what you can do to avoid getting sick when Comic-Con rolls around next year. Here's some ideas.

1. Cosplay as a character with a mask 

It's a lot tougher to receive germs if your nose and mouth are covered by a Deadpool mask.

2. Use hand sanitizer on everything. 

Remember that episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia where Frank becomes a germaphobe and covers himself in hand sanitizer? Yeah, do that.

3. Find a cosplayer who is dressed as a doctor

If you're starting to feel sick, you won't have to walk far before running into a doctor who can help you out. Granted, I'm not sure whether Doctor Who, Doctor Doom, and Doctor Manhattan are actually medical doctors, but I'm sure it's all the same.

4. Don't eat the con food

It's probably not made in the best conditions. Also, it's super expensive. I paid 12 dollars for a cheesesteak. And it wasn't even a good cheesesteak!

5. Most importantly, take a break

Honestly, I think part of the reason I got sick is because I was exhausted by the end of the convention, and that probably meant my immune system was exhausted too (I assume, anyway; I'm not a scientist). Take some time to chill out between panels or autograph signings and hopefully you can avoid coughing and sneezing for three straight days like me.