By Yemti Harry Ndienla (Originaly Published on Associated Content)
Whether sealing a deal, showing you’re a good sport or just saying hellow, handshakes are an integral part of our society. Like Terri Morrison, many believe if you get physically touched by the other person, you trust them more. “You smaile. It starts the relationship,” says Morrison, author of “Kiss, Bow or shake Hands, which explores greetings in different cultures. The author thinks, “Tactile reinforcement really builds a sense of trust with another person.”
Unfortunately, in some circles, handshakes are becoming something of an endangered species, thanks to the recent swine flu outbreaks. Thus concern of catching the virus puts the practice on hold.
Consequently, many people and organizations have barred any pressing of the flesh. Some churches have temporary suspended handshakes between faithful as well as other practices which call for physical contacts.
The parish priest of my church asked worshipers last Sunday not to shake hands during services including the traditional “sign of peace”. Besides, Christians were equally barred from drinking wine from the same cup during Holy Communion.
In sport where flesh pressing is very common the Long Island Junior soccer League in the United States of America, where the disease is of great concern due to its long boarders with Mexico – where the disease started, announced it would temporarily suspends handshakes between teams at the end of games.
But many suggest the league, and others should take a cue from baseball players and try the elbow bumps, which according to a New York Times publication in 2006, is supported by the World Health Organization. “I’ll arrive on the tarmac and stick out a hand to say hellow and someone from the WHO team will say… ‘We do the elbow bump now’” Newsday, quotes a CDC scientist sent to Africa during the deadly Ebola outbreaks. While some might consider fewer handshakes no big deal, others said it is serious business, and could seriously hurt business
Meanwhile in the continent of Africa, some countries are beginning to take precautionary measure following the continuous devastating effect of the Swine flu announced by the World Health Organization, WHO, recently. The virus, WHO announced, has continued to spread its tentacles, menacing public health and killing many more people.
On this score the government of Cameroon has put an embargo on the importation of pork into the country. The country’s Minister of Public health, Andre Mama Fouda announced during a press conference in the nation’s capital – Yaounde, following orders from the Presidency.
Consequently, the Minister told reporters that strict control has been ordered at the Seaport, and airports in Douala – the country’s economic capital as well as the airport at Nsimalen – the nation’s capital which are all consider the main gateways for such imports into the country.
Though health officials of the veterinary departments have continued to caution that there were no signs so far of the presence of the swine flu virus in Cameroon, authority here however say the measure is just one of several preventive actions put in place by the government to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
A statement from the Director of Veterinary in the country’s Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries called on the population to be vigilant and report all cases of persistent flu by both humans and pigs for examination.
Meanwhile, more countries have continued to be hit by the swine flu with the latest cases, according to WHO, being, New Zealand, Israel, South Korea and Australia. According to latest statistics by the WHO, the Virus has killed about 169 people, consequently raising alert levels to phase four, indicating a significantly increased risk of pandemic.
There is still anxiety in Mexico, where the first cases of the Virus were signaled.
The devastating effects of the disease are causing panic across the globe and seriously affecting business. Global markets consequently have continued to slump with fears that the outbreak could snuff out fragile signs of economic recovery.
One of the mysteries of the outbreak is that all cases of the flu discovered outside Mexico have so far been mild, WHO reported.
Though the flu was rapidly being spread by human-to-human transmission, there were no travel restrictions yet on most borders.
Yemti Harry Ndienla blogs at Prince Report
I just found this video on You Tube that really shows how germs and viruses spread. It is so cool. It's meant for kids but I even learned a lot!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56mq1t1BqfY
Posted by: Maggie Brown | Friday, 15 May 2009 at 01:05 AM