Updated March 3rd, 2020 at 18:24 IST
Germany's Angela Merkel denied handshake by minister over coronavirus dread, watch video
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel was recently denied a handshake at the meeting in Berlin on March 2 and approached her minister over coronavirus dread.
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As the fears of deadly coronavirus increase with its spread to more than 60 countries with over 90,000 confirmed cases worldwide, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel was recently denied a handshake. As she arrived at the meeting in Berlin on March 2 and approached the Federal Minister of the Interior of Germany for a handshake, he snubbed her. However, Merkel took it in “good humour” and sat at her position. The brief reaction between both lawmakers has gone viral with many internet users saying “that was smart”.
The minister who smiled and then refused to shake hands is Horst Seehofer and decided to keep his hands to himself as the easily spread virus has already infected at least 188 people in Germany. Merkel also reportedly said that what Seehofer did was the “right thing to do”.
German Interior Minister refused to shake hand with Chancellor Angela Merkel due to the ongoing corona virus outbreak..Horst Seehofer said he's stopped handshakes because of the virus.
— Waseem Sajjad (@waseem_swaty)
Merkel later said it was "the right thing to do" #CoronaOutbreak pic.twitter.com/QmQuDh4UPw
Netizens agree with Seehofer
While most netizens have agreed with the German lawmakers to avoid handshakes and touch as world battles the epidemic, others also offered the Indian way to greet, 'namaste'. One of the Twitter users also suggested “foot five”. In order to create awareness regarding the precautionary measures of the deadly coronavirus, most netizens wanted this to be the “usual practice”.
Well done. That wasn’t rude....that was smart.
— NuNuBamaMom (@ItsNotPersonal0)
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That's probably a good example to set.
— Michi (@cbn2)
well handled by both.
— democracylives (@democracylives2)
In India that's why do NAMASTE 🙏🙏🙏
— Sridhar N (@Sridhar_SRN)
I second this idea. I know it as Wai but yeah, it's pretty much the same thing 🙏🙏🙏 No physical contact but the respect is still there.
— 💞💕💝💖💘💝 (@MomotaroTwr)
Nah the foot five is better
— Thomas Mansfield (@ThomasM67458343)
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Hilarious! ~ no offence at all! Good sense of humour!
— Jeffrey Beatty Ⓐccessibility Ⓛens (@macjbby)
😂😂prevention is better
— NASTY_PEARL♌ (@Cuttieruttie1)
He's right. People should not be shaking hands.
— JoAnn McIntosh (@Morgalisa)
Physician Matt McCarthy in Manhattan said today that all the physicians in meetings have stopped shaking hands. He also said it's past containment time, now we need mitigation.
— In Wisc 88 (@InWisc88)
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Published March 3rd, 2020 at 18:24 IST