Flu fears prompt handshake warnings – Is the fistbump better?

It’s the automatic way many of us greet each other. But as flu season approaches, some health experts recommend it’s time to end the traditional handshake, and go with a “safe shake” like an elbow bumb or bow instead.

Really?

“Certainly this would help to decrease the spread of some infectious agents in the same way that sneezing into an elbow, rather than in a hand, does,” Dr. Nathan Wolfe, professor of human biology at Stanford University, told the New York Times.

“I just got used to the fist bump, so how am I going to know if you come at me with an elbow that’s what you want to do,” laments Seattle’s Morning News anchor Linda Thomas. “That scares me, it’s not going to work.”

Listen to Bill, Tom and Linda debate whether they’ll stop shaking hands over flu fears

But co-host Tom Tangney argues some people, especially men, aren’t about to give up their time honored “test of character.” He isn’t one of them.

“After seeing that movie Contagion, I don’t care if I never handshake anyone again. A nodding of the head is fine,” Tangney laughs.

So how do you help prevent the spread of germs? According to the CDC, there’s evidence that if everyone just routinely washed their hands, a million deaths could be prevented each year.

So knowing that, what do you do if someone wants to shake your hand? Many experts say advise following Nancy Reagan’s age old anti-drug advice: “Just say no!”

-Josh Kerns/97.3 KIRO FM