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Coronavirus

Elbow bumps. Why???

(19 Posts)
Grannynannywanny Mon 11-Jan-21 18:35:29

I saw Boris Johnson visiting a vaccination clinic today. Why does he persist in extending his arm to bump elbows as an alternative to a handshake?

We’ve been advised since last March to cough into a bent elbow rather than our hands. So who would want to risk touching elbows? Also how does this comply with social distancing?

I see other high profile figures such as football managers and coaches doing it as well. Maybe I’m missing something but I just can’t understand why people are doing it.

ginny Mon 11-Jan-21 18:36:07

Nor me.

Oopsadaisy1 Mon 11-Jan-21 18:43:03

They bump elbows, you cough into your inner arm/elbow joint.

Not sure why they bother though.

Grannynannywanny Mon 11-Jan-21 18:47:51

They bump elbows, you cough into your inner arm/elbow joint

Yes, but I’m inclined to think if someone has coughed into that area and contaminated it the outer elbow will also be contaminated.

BlueSky Mon 11-Jan-21 18:49:38

Yes I thought that, what’s this obsession with touching other people?

FarNorth Mon 11-Jan-21 18:53:32

Considering the covid situation just now, it's ludicrous for Johnson to do that as it means being much less than 6 ft away from the other person.

Football managers etc may be bending the rules but our esteemed leader should not be doing so.

Lucca Mon 11-Jan-21 18:56:19

FarNorth

Considering the covid situation just now, it's ludicrous for Johnson to do that as it means being much less than 6 ft away from the other person.

Football managers etc may be bending the rules but our esteemed leader should not be doing so.

Exactly.

Blossoming Mon 11-Jan-21 19:42:03

I would not want to touch him in any circumstances.

Callistemon Mon 11-Jan-21 19:50:15

I posted about this on another thread but it got lost (well, ignored).

I agree entirely Grannynannywanny

It was the norm right at the very beginning, in fact rather a joke on YouTube, but definitely ridiculous and certainly not to be recommended now.

It does mean needing to get far too close to someone else and a very bad example to set.

Urmstongran Mon 11-Jan-21 19:57:13

Just looks silly now. That was then, this is now. Just say ‘hello’.

PollyDolly Mon 11-Jan-21 20:05:37

It looks rediculous...........just like 'high-fiving' ! Never done it and never will!

Kate1949 Mon 11-Jan-21 20:16:50

BlueSky I've often wondered that. Pre pandemic, there seemed to be an obsession with kissing and hugging all and sundry.

Ellianne Mon 11-Jan-21 20:25:17

Football managers etc may be bending the rules but our esteemed leader should not be doing so.
Equally esteemed leaders here too, not only Boris. An alternative to cheek kissing.

Calendargirl Mon 11-Jan-21 20:27:26

Have always thought it looks plain daft.

Grannybags Mon 11-Jan-21 20:57:25

Why do people still insist on touching people? Madness

BlueSky Mon 11-Jan-21 21:06:11

Kate1949

BlueSky I've often wondered that. Pre pandemic, there seemed to be an obsession with kissing and hugging all and sundry.

Kate I thought it was just me being unsociable!

ElaineI Mon 11-Jan-21 22:25:39

Agree just don't touch people!

Callistemon Mon 11-Jan-21 23:17:22

Kate1949

BlueSky I've often wondered that. Pre pandemic, there seemed to be an obsession with kissing and hugging all and sundry.

Of course, we don't have to hug and kiss all and sundry in future, now we've left the EU.
Perhaps Brexit may have an advantage after all.

All that Continental kissie huggie stuff is so passé now, we can get back to a very British nod or, if we feel bold, an occasional handshake.

BlueSky Mon 11-Jan-21 23:25:07

There’s a lot to be said for the British nod or wave, (if on first-name terms). grin