Marielle Stel and her UT colleagues for the government investigated how the one and a half meter rule was observed in practice. “In the beginning, people were afraid of corona and kept their distance. Later, that has indeed become less serious.”
According to Dechamps, crisis situations such as corona can make it difficult to keep your distance. “People have the need to feel safe and connected, especially in times of crisis.”
Shake hands comeback
Going back to normal is going to be pretty quick, the experts think. “In a few months, people really won’t stick to one and a half meters anymore”, Stel expects. “Between friends it goes even faster than at work.” Shaking hands even makes a comeback within two weeks, Dechamps thinks. “That is already in your system from before corona, then you did it for much longer”.
Kissing is something else, they think. Dechamps: “Before corona, many people did not need that kissing with colleagues at a New Year’s reception or something. It will be exciting what happens to the three kisses, because of course there are also people who love it.”
Difficult to keep your distance
Now there’s no excuse if you don’t want to give that hand or kiss. No “I’m playing by the rules” to dodge it politely. It is sometimes difficult, says Tanja Woudenberg. “Recently, a colleague insisted on shaking hands. I gave in and regretted it afterwards. When I go to a customer, I just kindly wave ‘Hi, I’m Tanja’. I don’t think that’s rude, it fits the new reality .”
GP Roos de Jong also prefers to keep a distance from her work. “I don’t feel like shaking hands again and if I have to get close to patients for a physical examination, I always put on a mask.”
It sometimes becomes difficult for people who want to keep their distance, Stel thinks. “The new social norm will be a lot like the old one and then it will be hard to deviate.” Dechamps does think that it will be easier for the “spacers” than for corona. “Now everyone is used to the concept. They have now experienced that it is not a personal rejection.”
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