The Brief: The Wuhan Shake is a greeting gesture that involves two people tapping their feet to each other, providing an alternative to shaking hands during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Bluesquiggle
DEEP DIVE

With the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), people have been adopting new alternatives to shaking hands. These include elbow bumps, back-to-back rubs, the Arab tradition of placing a hand over one’s heart, and other creative methods. One particular method of greeting that originated in China in February 2020 is called the Wuhan Shake, named after the epicenter of the outbreak.

After videos of men in China greeting each other with a handshake-like foot-touching gesture went viral online, it’s become known as a wholesome and helpful piece of Coronavirus-related content amidst the spread of misinformation and fake news related to the virus.

The Wuhan Shake can be completed when two people stand across from each other and touch their feet together, one at a time, like a high five with one’s feet: a footshake or a legshake. This handshake alternative has been spreading on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and IRL around the world and has been covered by major news outlets including the BBC.

@staytunednbc##wuhanshake it to keep the ##coronavirus at bay…♬ original sound – staytunednbc

@debbiejohnson282##wuhanshake ##anewwaytosayhello ##twins ##foryou @midnight.swan♬ Shake That (Wiggle Wiggle) – Like Son

@qmusic_beGa jij vanaf nu ook handsfree groeten? 🤪 ##wuhanshake ##safetyfirst ##corona ##coronavirus♬ origineel geluid – qmusic_be

@coquipowerDon’t dap me up anymore ##foryou ##massachusetts ##boston ##coronavirus ##washyourhands ##fyp ##wuhanshake♬ Shotta Flow 3 – NLE Choppa