Will Fear of the Flu Lead Namaste to Replace the Handshake?

[krsna]

Will Fear of the Flu Lead Namaste to Replace the Handshake?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25205-2004Dec24.html

 

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 25, 2004: ( This article appeared

in the Washington Post. )

 

The humble handshake -- cornerstone of civilized behavior, ancient

gesture of greeting among friends and strangers alike -- is in trouble.

Politicians are avoiding it. Church officials are worrying about it.

Business people are wary of it. Shaking hands is slowly being

transformed from a friendly icebreaker into a potential vector of

life-imperiling contagion. The concern may be particularly acute during

the flu season, given the well-publicized shortage of flu vaccine in

some parts of the country. Shaking hands supposedly got started as a

way to show another that you didn't have a weapon in your hands. As it

turns out, we do have a weapon in our hands: the flu virus. Human

influenza viruses -- the genetically mutated descendants of bird germs

-- are extremely clever and resilient little bugs. They can live on

hands and on surfaces like doorknobs, railings and computer keyboards

for up to two hours. Passed easily from person to person, they

typically enter the body when a recipient touches his eyes, mouth or

nose. Once inside, they explode, piling into cells like rampaging

vikings.

 

Taken to extremes, handshake phobia could prefigure a revolution in

social custom. The standard American greeting would be forever altered.

But to what? The alternatives might include bowing, curtsying, nodding

the head, saluting, patting each other on the back, or hugging. Other

cultures, of course, are already there. The Hindu namaste greeting, for

example, is simple, elegant and touchless: a slight bow with hands

pressed at the palms near the heart.

 

On the other hand, you could simply follow the advice of the CDC, which

sounds suspiciously like the same advice Mom and your kindergarten

teacher gave you years ago. Wash your hands with soap and warm water,

and do it frequently. Don't touch your eyes, nose and mouth unless your

hands are clean. Stay home when you're sick. Use a tissue when you

sneeze.

[theist]

Good idea. Let the handshake die out and be replaced with namaste.

 

Other tips are never touch anything in a public restroom that you didn't bring with you except through a paper towel. Faucets etc. are extremely contaminated. Flush the toilet with your feet.

 

Don't wear shoes instead and spray the soles with lysol frequently.

 

Push doors to enter public buildings; never use your hands use your cloth covered arms instead.

 

Avoid public eateries for several reasons, one is hygene.

 

Make use of those small alcohol based foil wrapped hand towels for your hands and face.

 

Leave the material world altogether.