Last Updated on March 17, 2020
The World Health Organization has endorsed dabbing as “good practice” for when people cough or sneeze to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The WHO issued a tweet with a graphic depicting Paul Pogba, the French football player and current midfielder for Manchester United, dabbing, claiming that this was a good way to stop the coronavirus in its tracks.
“A proper #dab (covering your mouth and nose with the bend of your elbow) when you cough and sneeze is a good practice to protect yourself and others from #COVID19. Thank you for your support Paul Pogba,” the tweet read, adding in the graphic, “dab when you cough, dab when you sneeze, dab to beat #coronavirus.”
A proper #dab (covering your mouth and nose with the bend of your elbow) when you cough and sneeze is a good practice to protect yourself and others from #COVID19.
Thank you for your support, @paulpogba. #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/dEYxvX540M
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 13, 2020
Pogba had tweeted out the graphic earlier in the day, gaining over 23 thousand retweets at the time of writing.
#Dab to beat #coronavirus. Follow @WHO advice to Be Ready for #COVID19 https://t.co/Ej0FqcHbj5 pic.twitter.com/4DhQ7NsZYk
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) March 13, 2020
Some Twitter users were astounded to see the WHO actively promoting dabbing as a health measure, with one describing it as “the most stupid thing I have seen”:
https://twitter.com/TechSnep/status/1238892609717895168
https://twitter.com/Beautiful_Squid/status/1238614894624288770
https://twitter.com/byronb1986/status/1238503866011996162
— Lawson (@ExpertlyHendo) March 13, 2020
After I get pogba, I'll make sure I get you as well
— CoronaVirus (@CoronaV31349957) March 13, 2020
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However, whilst the tweet may seem a bit ridiculous, the act of dabbing is very similar to the recommended guidelines on respiratory hygiene that the WHO had been encouraging since the start of the outbreak. “Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene,” the WHO writes on their coronavirus advice website. “This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.”
One parent uploaded a video of son who apparently had trouble remembering to cover his mouth when he coughed, but understood what to do after reading the dabbing advice:
My son has a hard time remembering to cover his mouth. Not anymore #Dab to beat#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/krQfAZlbN8
— Senon Estavillo (@SenonEstavillo) March 14, 2020
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