Salam Malaysia instead

Everyone has been doing the fist and elbow bump to avoid Covid-19 infection. But that isn’t a foolproof way as experts are advising Malaysians to go for a contactless greeting.

PETALING JAYA: Elbow bump? Footshake?

Fist bump?

No, no, and no.

These are not acceptable ways of greeting each other in these days of physical distancing.

Although elbow and fist bumps were considered low risks as compared to handshakes, any form of contact should be avoided, said Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr N. Ganabaskaran.

“Germs can still be passed on through elbow and fist bumps, which seemed to have replaced the handshake.

“We should instead be observing physical distancing,” he said.

Public health expert Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar observed that the fist bump was trendy now.

“I’m an ‘oldie’ and I feel this is quite odd. I experienced it at a kampung wedding the other day.

“But for me personally, I feel it is better to sanitise the hands before and after a handshake rather than going for a fist bump.

“However, it is best to avoid any physical contact,” he said.

He said the risk of a Covid-19 cross infection was similar in a normal handshake and other physical touches.

Professor of epidemiology and public health Dr Sanjay Rampal said that avoiding handshakes altogether was more effective when community transmission was high.

The people should maintain good hygiene by regularly sanitising their hands, he said.

Last Wednesday, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah advised the public to avoid handshakes or physical contact that includes bumping parts of the body.

Prior to the statement, the Health Ministry also tweeted a similar caution, saying that such physical “bumps” should not be used as a way to greet people.

The tweet cited the fist, elbow and feet as examples.

This led to suggestion from netizens on alternative ways to greet others.

“Give a wink,” someone said.

“Raise your eyebrow,” another Twitterer said.

MMA’s Dr Ganabaskaran suggested other safer ways to greet people such as the traditional Indian way of “namaste” with hands pressed together in front of the chest with a slight bow.

He also encouraged Malaysians to adopt the “Salam Malaysia” which involves placing the right palm on the chest.

But to those who are still not persuaded or unconvinced, please listen to the security guys.

Here’s an “order” from the Defence Ministry in a tweet last Tuesday in reminding Malaysians to continue observing the new norms: “Avoid bersalaman or touching. Place your hands on your chest as a gesture of respect and greetings to replace the handshake and physical touch.”