Gripe A(H1N1)'s silver lining

As an American health volunteer in Peru, I've found that the only two things I seem to talk about lately are the new flu and Michael Jackson. Both, perhaps, for good reason. The latter of course being an international superstar with out-of-this-world dance moves*, and the former, well ... scaring the gajeebas out of everyone.

The terror is not entirely unwarranted. The number of cases in Peru, like everywhere else in the world, skyrocketed. According to the Flu's Web site (no joke; it has it's own Web site), the number of cases rose 147 percent the week between July 3rd and July 10th. And the World Health Organization recently announced that they will no longer be tracking individual cases, instead reporting only the countries newly infected with the virus.

Naturally, people are little freaked out. Medical, food service, transportation — even hostel and hotel — workers wear masks, covering their mouths and noses from the possibly infected. People are avoiding meetings and crowded places. School has been called off for a whole month. And everyone — EVERYONE — can't stop talking about it.

Recently our health post devised an "action plan" to combat this disease in our district. We've made posters and radio spots** outlining the symptoms and prevention methods, and we're training adult and youth health promoters to go out into the community to tell people how they can protect themselves and check on at-risk groups (babies, elderly, pregnant women).

My absolute favorite byproduct of this otherwise grim pandemic, however, definitely has new trend potential. Are you ready for this? It's good: elbow-bumping. Instead of giving a kiss on the cheek, handshake or a hug to greet someone, you touch elbows.

I'll repeat: YOU TOUCH ELBOWS.

Example: "OH! Hey Friend! Good to see you!" [elbow bop].

In the words of the Brits, it's bloody brilliant. And I think it's going to be the next big thing. I encourage you all to try it out.

Happy elbow-bumping! (And please wash your hands!)

* pun intended
* with "The Way You Make Me Feel" in the background as a tribute to the late King of Pop