First, I have never been a fan of airline pillows and blankets, at least in Y. They have always been pitifully too small and uncomfortable.

As for the health issue, that's a bit of a canard, don't you think? If they're such a threat to the public health how come they weren't removed during previous epidemics, such as the SARS outbreak?

And how come it's OK to keep them in the FC cabins of most airlines? Does that imply that people who fly FC are by definition disease-free?

As far as using a blanket that someone used under their butt, that's not a very appealing prospect, then again, either that blanket was under their butt, or the seat was.

The seats, in fact, are a far greater vector of disease than the blankets, because the blankets are regularly cleaned and replaced, while the seats remain for years and are only cleaned sporadically, and never with a comprehensive disinfection process.

Actually, the most likely element of contagion on an airplane is the recirculated air, and there is nothing that can be done about that.

Finally, your image of someone sneezing into a blanket is powerful. Still, how many times has anyone actually witnessed that? In my nearly fifty years of flying I have never seen that. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but people can sneeze on the seat, in the lavatory, on your food, in your face, etc.

Flying is, by definition, not a good way to insulate yourself from disease.