With the coronavirus spreading across the globe, people are becoming more aware of how they interact with others. And so, the Wuhan Shake was born.
Instead of greeting people with a handshake, people in China are doing foot-to-foot greetings in order to avoid germs. A video example of the greeting went viral.
In these scary times of the #coronavirus perhaps the #wuhanshake is what’s needed? Whatcha think, will you start greeting peple this way instead of shaking their hands? #adaptorperish pic.twitter.com/olg2PbFie5
— Timothy Sykes (@timothysykes) March 2, 2020
It the video, two people go to greet each other. One extends their hand and the other declines, instead, offering his foot. The new greeting is not only good for public health, it’s also pretty adorable to watch.
People in China found another way to greet since they can't shake hands.
The Wuhan Shake.
I love how people can adapt and keep a sense of humor about stressful situations. pic.twitter.com/P8MSfOdJ2H
— •*¨*•.¸¸✯*･???????? ????•*¨*•.¸¸✯*¨ (@V_actually) February 29, 2020
wuhan shake legs #covid19pic.twitter.com/VQpCpW2W0d
— wanna be anonymous v.0.00001 (@lifememe_) March 2, 2020
Actually, it seems like a lot of people are in favor of the Wuhan Shake.
I massively prefer this to a handshake and infinitely more than European multiple kissing which seems to become more and more elaborate and uncomfortably long-winded the more borders you cross.
This even works in today’s multicultural #MeToo era.
Let’s do the #WuhanShake https://t.co/W38oo6YxrA
— Alexandra Phillips (@BrexitAlex) March 2, 2020
I knew all those years of doing the Kid ‘N Play kick step would come in handy one day. ???? ???? ???? https://t.co/n3zUBrEFWL
— Dwayne Andrews (@DwayneMAndrews) March 3, 2020
Of course, the shake was immediately turned into a meme.
This how we dapping up from now on pic.twitter.com/6Ve9d5wiaP
— Flick (@Frediculous) February 29, 2020
I dont hate this. Might pick it up. https://t.co/qhKpa03WH7
— BLM. I acknowledge that I smell bad. (@endarblah) March 1, 2020
And if the Wuhan Shake isn’t your style, there are plenty of other options.
— Walter Cotte W. (@waltercotte) March 1, 2020
As of this writing, there have been 90,928 confirmed cases and 3,125 deaths associated with the coronavirus. The World Health Organization recommends frequent hand washing, maintaining at least a three-foot distance from others, avoiding touching your face, covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing and seeing a doctor early if you suspect symptoms.
“Stay at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose, until you recover,” WHO says on its website. “If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition.”
The best way to protect yourself and others is to follow WHO’s advice. And also incorporate the Wuhan Shake into your life.
