I wouldn't close if I had pink eye either...just use polysporin eye drops and it clears up right away. I've also had good luck with simply using a hot wash cloth on the closed eye several times a day...pink eye is killed by heat. And of course, wash your hands a lot and don't touch your eyes. When I've had it before I have never spread it to anyone, not even family. Kids rub their eyes and pass it around so it's different.