US government physician tells lawmakers to use Star Trek’s Vulcan salute to avoid contact and slow spread of coronavirus
Spock gives the Vulcan salute on Star Trek
The advice of using Star Trek’s Vulcan salute to help slow the coronavirus outbreak has made it all the way to Capitol Hill.
CNN reported yesterday that as part of a coronavirus briefing in a closed-door meeting of the United States House Democratic Caucus, the attending physician recommended social distancing. According to the CNN piece, “Hand-to-hand contact is to be avoided, the physician said. The physician encouraged lawmakers to use the ‘Star Trek’ greeting, according to Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, though he noted with a laugh he was unable to separate his fingers to properly make the gesture.”
Of course, Rep. Phillips isn’t the only one to have difficulty with the Vulcan salute. On Sunday, Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner, tweeted a picture of himself trying - and failing - to get his fingers to form the famous hand sign. Along with the picture, he said, “On [Star Trek] the cruise there were signs posted that instead of shaking hands use the @StarTrek Vulcan Salute. What if you cannot do it?”
On the cruise there were signs posted that instead of shaking hands use the @StarTrek Vulcan Salute🖖🏻. 🤔 What if you cannot do it?🤷🏼♂️😝 pic.twitter.com/64qejhTjXy
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 8, 2020
COVID-19, the coronavirus disease currently experiencing an outbreak in parts of the world, is a serious respiratory disease spread by personal contact. The World Health Organization recommends that to slow the spread of the disease, you should wash your hands frequently; avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; and practice respiratory hygiene such as covering your mouth or nose when you cough or sneeze. And of course, they recommend maintaining social distancing, which for politicians, translates to fewer handshakes and - apparently - more Vulcan salutes.
Please visit the WHO’s website for more comprehensive information, including more advice on how to keep yourself safe during the outbreak.
