24 Mar Try a “Footshake” Instead of a Handshake
Our team at Alta Ridge Foot Specialists is sending wishes for health and safety to the Madison, Mitchell, and Watauga county communities, our country, and the world during these hard times. Here is a funny story—about feet!—we hope makes you smile.
With the outbreak of COVID-19, we have seen in the past few weeks how much of our daily lives have changed. To make it even more challenging, our usual customs and greetings have had to adapt too. Some people are using humor to face the unprecedented challenges we are suddenly dealing with, and bringing a smile to people all over the world along the way. Handshakes, hugs, and kisses have had to stop…but maybe you hadn’t thought you could say a germ-free “Hi!” with your feet!
People in China, the Middle East, and Africa, have been sharing photos and videos on social media showing colleagues, friends—even high-level politicians!—tapping their feet together in a new form of greeting called the “footshake”. Some in China have even started to call it the “Wuhan handshake”, named after the city from which the virus first emerged.
Public health officials have been quick to endorse and promote alternative forms of greetings too. Dr. Sylvie Briand, director of the Department of Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO), recently posted a comic on Twitter illustrating alternative forms of greeting, affirming that “We need to adapt to this new disease.”
Here are the WHO’s top 5 tips for beating the coronavirus, as always, adhere to your local authorities’ guidelines and laws. Your health and everyone else’s depends on it:
- HANDS—Wash them often
- ELBOW—Cough into it
- FACE—Don’t touch it
- FEET—Stay more than 3ft apart
- FEEL—sick? Stay home!
If you have pain in your foot or heel, problems with your ankle, an injury, ingrown toenails, or any other issues with your feet, our experienced team of podiatrists is here to help!
Contact us today to make an appointment with Alta Ridge Foot Specialists at one of our three offices at 105 Chestnut Street, Mars Hill or 440 Alta Pass Highway, Spruce Pine, or 2211 NC Hwy 105, Boone NC. Alta Ridge Foot Specialists in North Carolina provides expert and comprehensive medical and surgical foot care for patients of all ages. Dr. W. Aaron Broyles, Dr. Robert L. Van Brederode and Dr. Thomas Verla and their staff are serving patients in Madison, Mitchell, and Watauga County. We look forward to hearing from you!