The great toilet paper buy up of the past week has proved a challenge for many. There is also the disappearance of hand sanitisers, and non-perishable foods such as rice and pasta from many supermarket shelves. COVID-19 has certainly sent society into a spin.
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While the panic buying may be considered irrational there are some behaviours that are changing for all the right reasons...but that doesn't mean that the change is not awkward. The simple concept of greeting another person is undergoing a reinvention due to growing concern about the spread of the virus.
Unlike panic buying, consideration of the way we greet others in this somewhat volatile time has great merit. COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is known to spread in the form of droplets that can be spread when a person with the virus coughs or sneezes.
Thorough washing of hands, regular disinfectant cleaning of surfaces such as door handles and reducing contact with others in the form of handshakes or hugs are suggestions to reduce the spread of these potential virus-carrying droplets.
Sounds good in theory. But if you are gathered in a room with a group of people - old friends, family or people you have an affinity with but haven't seen for a while - your first instinct is to give a hug or at the very least shake hands.
It is a natural form of familiarity and acknowledgement that we now have to rethink for the wellbeing of all concerned. The suggested alternatives include tapping elbows, a friendly nod, a gentle foot kick.
If you have recently been in the situation of catching up with friends, family or workmates, you will understand that these new greeting options can feel a little awkward. Sure you will point out to each other that you need to be careful in the current environment, there may even be a little joking or lighthearted banter. But there is no denying, such unusual greetings are uncomfortable...and odd.
The alternative - shake hands and then immediately share some hand sanitiser to make sure you have both dealt with any germs that may have been shared in what was once considered a friendly gesture. Still sounds like an awkward option.
Without a doubt we need to take care to reduce the spread of COVID-19. How we greet others is an important consideration for all. But there is no doubt the new era of greetings leaves a lot to be desired.
Do you have some better ideas on how we can share a gesture of greeting without sharing germs? Maybe Mork from Ork was onto something when he splayed his fingers and said nanu nanu!
