Do you have air conditioning? If so opening windows normally affects it and they may have a policy against opening them.

Whilst there is an element of majority rule in these situations there is also adherence to H&S policy and managers can choose to ignore the majority if they want to help someone who is struggling. They will get complaints but that's just part of being a manager and telling people they know where the door is if they won't cooperate.

Whilst what you have raised is commonly discussed, especially in winter months, in open plan workspaces the emphasis on it won't be the same as you seem to be indicating. From school we had to sit next to people with colds and so we will do in work later. We do on the bus/train, waiting in a queue or just doing our shopping.

The person you mentioned eating next to Typhoid Mary might have washed their hands first or used some antibacterial spray/hand cream.