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Pandemic means no kissing
June 12, 2009
GENEVA - NO KISSING, avoid handshakes, sneeze in the crook of your arm and wash your hands - pandemics have a way of changing everyday life.
The World Health Organisation says that such simple measures are the best way to prevent the spread of even the most virulent virus.
Swine flu, or the A(H1N1) virus, has got a lot of people worried. Sales of hygienic masks have shot up in recent weeks.
But a WHO spokesman said: 'Take the normal precautions you would do to seasonal flu or the common cold - nothing more drastic than that. It's based on practical knowledge.'
WHO director general Margaret Chan took exception recently to the traditional Swiss greeting between acquainted men and women, three kisses on each cheek.
'Maybe you don't do that any more - don't hold each other and hug their face three times,' Ms Chan explained when announcing a previous rise in the six level pandemic alert to five.
'It's just an example to say continue with your business but try to pay special attention to personal hygiene,' Ms Chan added. Her staff were duly told to avoid kisses and hugs as well as handshakes.
Good manners nonetheless survive in the form of good 'respiratory hygiene.' 'Don't cough in people's faces,' suggested WHO's acting assistant director general Keiji Fukuda. 'Cover your mouth using (tissues) or your shirt sleeve to cough in and take a variety of steps like that.' Washing hands regularly with soap and water during the day can help keep the virus at bay and go some way to prevent transmission. Touching the mouth should also be avoided.
Even staff at the United Nations in Geneva - where dozens of nationalities rub shoulders and tread its corridors, offices and canteens - were advised to stop shaking hands to reduce the risk of passing flu around.
'That doesn't apply to meetings of diplomats,' a UN spokesman nonetheless qualified. -- AFP
Pandemic means no kissing
June 12, 2009
GENEVA - NO KISSING, avoid handshakes, sneeze in the crook of your arm and wash your hands - pandemics have a way of changing everyday life.
The World Health Organisation says that such simple measures are the best way to prevent the spread of even the most virulent virus.
Swine flu, or the A(H1N1) virus, has got a lot of people worried. Sales of hygienic masks have shot up in recent weeks.
But a WHO spokesman said: 'Take the normal precautions you would do to seasonal flu or the common cold - nothing more drastic than that. It's based on practical knowledge.'
WHO director general Margaret Chan took exception recently to the traditional Swiss greeting between acquainted men and women, three kisses on each cheek.
'Maybe you don't do that any more - don't hold each other and hug their face three times,' Ms Chan explained when announcing a previous rise in the six level pandemic alert to five.
'It's just an example to say continue with your business but try to pay special attention to personal hygiene,' Ms Chan added. Her staff were duly told to avoid kisses and hugs as well as handshakes.
Good manners nonetheless survive in the form of good 'respiratory hygiene.' 'Don't cough in people's faces,' suggested WHO's acting assistant director general Keiji Fukuda. 'Cover your mouth using (tissues) or your shirt sleeve to cough in and take a variety of steps like that.' Washing hands regularly with soap and water during the day can help keep the virus at bay and go some way to prevent transmission. Touching the mouth should also be avoided.
Even staff at the United Nations in Geneva - where dozens of nationalities rub shoulders and tread its corridors, offices and canteens - were advised to stop shaking hands to reduce the risk of passing flu around.
'That doesn't apply to meetings of diplomats,' a UN spokesman nonetheless qualified. -- AFP