H1N1 and the End of the French Kiss

from:http://bigthink.com/carriebattan/h1n1-and-the-end-of-the-french-kiss

Pandemic-fearing populations across the world have employed myriad protective measures in the hopes of warding off the spread of the H1N1 virus, many of them entirely nonsensical. The Chinese quarantined groups of Mexicans, Egypt ordered the slaughtering of thousands of pigs and travel restrictions were imposed on various regions of the world. But France might be taking the cake with its recent decision to ban public kissing and the beloved traditional cheek-kiss greeting.

France has yet to impose a nationwide ban on kissing; instead, large firms and schools across the nation have asked their employees and students to replace kisses with waves — how romantic. The mayor of the town of Le Guilvinec has ordered all of the children in schools to cease cheek-kiss greetings, with many schools installing boxes where students and teachers may place paper hearts in place of a kiss. Some speculate, however, that the ban will be a government-enforced nationwide rule in the coming months as countries look to prepare for flu season.

The ban is also being considered in regions of various countries like Great Britain, Germany and Spain. The Europeans seem to be all business when it comes to protecting themselves against the virus, with the French displaying a remarkable abandonment of tradition in favor of a public heath gesture that may have little to no real benefit. Once flu season has passed, will the French be hanging their heads in shame over what could be an irrational ban, or hoarding bands of kissy-faced Frenchies into jail cells for their crimes?