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SALT LAKE CITY -- Is handshaking on the way out? With superbugs and scares over the H1N1 virus, some people have been recommending people keep their hands to themselves, even when it comes to the longstanding customary greeting of a handshake.
At Salt Lake Community College, for example, school administrators, as a precaution, opted to not shake graduates' hands as they walked across the stage. They made an announcement at the beginning of the ceremony.
Patients with flu fears, symptoms swamp ERs
People complaining of the flu are flooding hospital emergency rooms in the Salt Lake Valley.In the event of a true pandemic, the Utah Department of Public Safety's Web site is among many that recommend social distancing tactics, which includes avoiding shaking people's hands.
But at least until it reaches that level, people like Salt Lake Community College Director of Health and Wellness, Jason Gillman say it isn't the handshake that's the problem. "You can shake the hand of someone who has the flu and not be in jeopardy, unless you shake their hand and then you put it right on your face."
Viruses and bacteria have different levels of survivability outside the body. That's why Gillman recommends frequent hand washing.
That same advice comes from Steve Merrill, Associate Dean of Business and accounting at Stevens Henager College. Merrill and his colleagues teach business etiquette as part of their course offerings. "We do really emphasize the importance of a good firm handshake in business," he says. Merrill says handshaking is critical in this culture to show your interest in, acceptance of and focus on the other party.
Even when people are ill, Merrill says he'd rather shake and then wash his hands, rather than hear them explain that they don't want to shake hands because they're sick. "To me it does kind of interrupt the flow of the interpersonal interaction. It always leaves me wondering kind of what do to," he says. He chooses to say "that's OK" and shake their hand anyway.
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com
