Everyone from high-powered political leaders and health officials to professional athletes have taken on the tactic to safely say hello without making too much contact.
Vice President Mike Pence, who was appointed by the Trump administration to take the lead on the U.S. response to the coronavirus outbreak, set a good example of the growing trend as he arrived in Washington state to meet with Gov. Jay Inslee.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/pence-elbow-tarmac-rt-ps-200306_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
David Ryder/Reuters
PHOTO: Governor Jay Inslee greets Vice President Mike Pence, who heads the government's coronavirus task force, with an elbow bump at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington, March 5, 2020.
Dr. Dena Grayson, a physician and biochemist who studies pandemic threats, told ABC News she's a huge proponent of the inventive introductions.
\"There's so many videos circulating all over the world of people doing the foot taps and elbow bumps and I think it's fantastic,\" she said. \"I think elbow bumps are a great alternative to handshakes because you really can't do that right now.\"
While there has been some levity around the cultural shift, Grayson said it's still raising awareness for folks to practice smart, healthy habits.
\"It's OK to make a joke out of it, but it serves as a good public health reminder to everyone to wash your hands avoid touching public objects with your fingers, and don't touch your face or shake hands,\" she explained.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/ussurgeongeneral-elbow-ap-ps-200306_hpEmbed_7x4_384.jpg\")
Jessica Hill/AP
PHOTO: San Diego Padres players bump elbows rather than slap hands while heading into the dugout between innings of a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, March 4, 2020, in Peoria, Ariz.
Best elbow bumps on social media
Pro athletes bumping 'bows
The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team exchanged elbows with England instead of hand shakes during the first match of the 2020 She Believes Cup.
Rather than high-fives, the San Diego Padres practiced the elbow bump in the dugout during a spring training game in Arizona on Thursday.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/padres-elbow-ap-ps-200306_hpEmbed_3x2_384.jpg\")
Elaine Thompson/AP
PHOTO: San Diego Padres players bump elbows rather than slap hands while heading into the dugout between innings of a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, March 4, 2020, in Peoria, Ariz.
OK this one may be just a nod to NHL star Jake Muzzin's fly-by elbow-five celebration, but the joke still landed with some on Twitter, and as Grayson said, it can't hurt to boast the move.
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