In Canada, the handshake is a ubiquitous greeting. It’s used to say hello, to introduce yourself to someone new or to signal a potential employer that you’re trustworthy, confident, and the right person for the job.
But in a world where the deadly COVID-19 remains a constant threat, is the handshake safe? When the pandemic first began, the handshake was widely advised against by public health officials in Canada.
Although restrictions are beginning to lift across the country, people are still being asked to maintain a physical distance of two metres (or six feet) between themselves and others, making handshakes impossible.