Corona virus: What should I think about when I say goodbye?

Corona virus:
 What should I think about when I say goodbye?

 KNOW'HOW ABOUT DREAMS

Handshakes, hugs and kisses - we humans are certainly not hygienic when it comes to our greetings. Here's how to greet viruses in the most secure way.


In conjunction with the spread of the corona virus all over the world, our strange methods of greeting each other have been put under a magnifying glass - and actually started to affect us in everyday life.

This is how you greet the globe

Here in the cold Nordic countries we are traditionally seen as cold and certainly it feels like we Swedes shake hands when we greet? Nowadays, though, a hug is very common here too, and not least when we say goodbye.

The handshake may look a little different in different places. In China, one does not take such a firm grip on the other's hand and in Germany one should drop his hand already after a downward movement.

This is how the coronavirus infects:

At slightly southern latitudes, mainly in countries with a Latin culture, cheek pussing is a practice. In countries such as Argentina, Chile and Mexico, a cheek kiss applies, while in Spain, Portugal and the Philippines, two kisses are given on alternating cheeks.

In Russia, Ukraine and Switzerland you are greeted with three cheek kisses - and in some parts of France, there are four cheek kisses to greet.

It is worth noting that these kisses do not involve a lot of contact and saliva, but rather an air kiss with the cheeks facing each other.

The corona virus changes how we greet each other

Headlines around the world came when German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer refused to shake Chancellor Angela Merkel's hand. In retrospect, he stated that the reason was that he completely stopped offering handshakes due to the spread of the corona virus. Angela Merkel also said in retrospect that it was right to deny the handshake.

WHO has also issued recommendations to protect people from the virus. They consist of, among other things, accurate and frequent hand washing. This is because soap and water, or hand spirit, can kill virus bacteria on your hands. They also recommend that people keep a certain social distance (at least one meter away from someone who seems sick). The reason for this is that fluid comes out of the nose and mouth when people cough, and this fluid can contain the virus.

Furthermore, it is recommended that one does not touch his eyes, nose and mouth. Since your hands can easily pick up viruses, you should avoid the body openings on the face that can easily introduce the virus into your body.


Coughing and sneezing in the arm fold is an old ploy - but there is still a reason. In this way, you do your best to protect those around you, not only from the corona virus, but also from common colds and flu.

In Sweden, too, companies have given directives to their employees, among other things, Vattenfall has told its employees to stop shaking hands with each other.

French Minister: Stop kissing

In France, where the cheek pussy 'la bise' is so popular, Health Minister Olivier Véran has provided information and tips to citizens to protect them from the virus.

“I have formally advised the Council to avoid shaking hands and reducing physical social contact. This also includes 'la bise', "he said at a press conference.

Coronavirus: This is how you should be

In different countries with different cultures, authorities have recommended different methods of health without contact, but with respect.

Over 3000 dead in the corona virus - this has happened:

In China, there are large message boards encouraging citizens to put their hands together as a greeting instead of shaking hands. Even a so-called 'gong shou' is acceptable. This means that you put one fist in the other palm and are a traditional Chinese greeting.

In France, etiquette expert Philippe Lichtfus says it is enough to look another person directly in the eye for health.

The week leading up to Easter is the tradition in Spain to kiss the sculptures of the Virgin Mary, but Health Ombudsman Fernando Simon has said that it is considering banning this this year because of the corona virus.

One country hit hard by the disease is Iran, where 66 people have passed away at the time of writing. In the country, many have switched to easily merging their feet with the person they greet.


In New Zealand, a traditional Maori greeting called 'hongi' has been banned where two people rub their noses against each other. Instead, a 'waitata', a Maori song, is recommended.

Four ways to health in times of coronavirus

wink

Try to wave to the person you want to greet instead of a handshake or hug - it may feel strange at first but over time it easily becomes a routine.

A Thai 'wai'

This is a traditional greeting where you bring your palms together and bow easily to the person you are greeting.

elbow

As it sounds, try just tapping the elbows a little lightly. Trust easily as a handshake but both safer and more fun!

foot-shake

Imagine you shake hands, but with your foot - it's a foot shake. This is also recommended in China, where it was named 'The Wuhan Shake' after the city in China where the infection was first discovered.

This is The Wuhan Shake

The footshake, which also gained a foothold in the Middle East, went viral when video clips from China began to spread on the Internet and where the greeting was called 'The Wuhan Shake'. This is a wink to the previous viral success 'The Harlem Shake' and puts the corona virus's effect on our greetings in a mother context. Watch the video below to learn how to do 'The Wuhan Shake' and keep yourself and your loved ones as safe as you can.