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Shake a hand or say hello differently? Even those for whom the handshake has always been a reflex are starting to ask this question in the face of the coronavirus epidemic. Scientists analyzed the traditional greeting for the epidemiological threat a few years ago. Conclusions? They leave no doubt: nailing a “turtle” is much safer than shaking hands.
Viruses and bacteria can be transferred to your hands. What about the greeting?
A handshake greeting may contribute to the transmission of the coronavirus and other dangerous microbes. Hands are the habitat of viruses and pathogenic bacteria. They touch hundreds of dirty items every day, and then – as many as 90 times a day! – face, nose and mouth, from where pathogens already have a straight path into the body.
That is why the voice of epidemiologists who have long encouraged the search for alternatives to shaking hands is being heard now. This can be nailing a “turtle”, touching the elbows or making a bow. Dropping the traditional greeting is the first piece of advice from Dr. James Robb to the ongoing epidemic – an American virologist who has been studying various coronaviruses for 50 years. Practical and very specific tips from the private correspondence of this scientist recently circulated around the world.
“Turtle” much safer than a hug. Scientific experiment
In 2014, Dr. Sara Mela and Dr. David Edward Whitworth from the University of Aberystwyth in Wales explored the topic of the spread of microbes through handshake. The conclusions were published in the scientific journal “American Journal of Infection Control”. Their research was experimental. Both wore sterile disposable gloves. Later, one of them put her hand into the container with the solution containing the E.coli bacteria. Next, the scientists shook hands and checked the number of bacteria transferred from the dirty glove to the clean glove.
To have a comparison, they repeated the same experiment with a high five and a “turtle”. It turned out that High five carries two times less, and a turtle as much as 10 times less germs than a handshake.
Hygiene is the most effective prophylaxis method available
The hygienic alternative to shaking hands can significantly reduce the risk of contamination, but proper hand washing is still in the foreground. If we don’t do it often and thoroughly, even a safer way to greet us will not protect us from the coronavirus.
Dr. Albert Vilella, bioinformatics scientist from Cambridge Epigenetix, prepared a graphic illustrating, which areas on the hands are often avoided when washing. We usually neglect the thumb, fingertips and the spaces between the fingers. And it is with our thumb that we move the screens of smartphones, which are among the most contaminated everyday objects.
We should wash our hands for 15–30 seconds, preferably according to the instructions published by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate. Warm water and soap are enough to get rid of germs.
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