Do you mean MRSA?
Wasn't the “good ole USA” responsible for plastic covers to fit over sofas - 1950s and 1960s, I believe - which I have to say I have never quite got the concept of. What was the appeal? To keep the material completely clean because home owners are far too lazy to rip off the covers and toss them into the washing machine or trapping dust so that it doesn’t get a chance to lie on the material? Or both.
Personally I don’t know of any other country other than the USA who have adopted their plastic covers for sofas. I can see the appeal if decorating or if moving home, but not permanently.
Also I think it was the good ole USA that the UK got the first wave of air purifiers in the 1980s for homes. Remington I believe, sold them.
Whilst there is plenty of science to back up theories and yet appear to be exaggerated, there's a slight element of truth these days given that the younger generation are being born with far more allergies than my generation suffer from. Yes there are other contributing factors - there will always be contributing factors other than suffering from breathing difficulties. Dust on skin can also be a major irritant for some people, its not all about breathing it in. Dust bags minimise that leakage as far as I'm concerned, both to the skin and both to the lungs.