By Marc Bona, cleveland.com via the Harrisburg Patriot-News
CLEVELAND, Ohio – “The Obsolete Man,” a classic episode of “The Twilight Zone,” deals with the state declaring certain human beings “obsolete” and sentencing them to death.
Obsolescence will gain traction, thanks in part to coronavirus concerns. Actions, traditions and items – whether temporarily, partially or completely – are likely to fade over time as a result of the new normal, social-distancing, germ-conscious world the virus is helping to shape.
So we offer 16 examples of what we might expect to see fade away to one degree or another in various walks of life:
Buffets and salad bars
A few years ago, we took a cruise, embarking after a flu bug previously had wound its way around the ship. Ship staffers constantly disinfected every surface. The two key changes: Every restroom on board had signs instructing passengers to use a paper towel to touch the door handle, and the buffet was converted into a serving line for the first 48 hours – the incubation period. It’s hard to envision self-serve buffets or salad bars making it though this pandemic. The sneeze bars don’t seem like they will do enough. Self-serve brunch buffets? Gone.
Related coverage: Obsolete! 23 daily life moments, objects becoming outdated
Handshakes
National Handshake Day is the last Thursday in June, but it’s not looking like much of a celebration. The handshake is as good as gone. CBS Sunday Morning‘s Mo Rocca beat me to the punch on this one. Can you remember your last handshake? What will replace the traditional business greeting is anyone’s guess. The “Star Trek” finger split isn’t going to work and is not original. I’ve opted for a peace sign the old-school way – victory formation, fingers up – not sideways like suburban kids trying to look fierce. Sportsmanship on fields and courts will take a hit. No pregame basketball starters shaking hands and hugging, no postgame hockey lines? Greetings will change, somehow. Hopefully, new symbols of sportsmanship will be created. Losing the handshake changes the face of business, society and sports. Speaking of …
High five / slapped hands
… The high five had a good run. Its origin dates to 1977, an impromptu invention from Los Angeles Dodger teammates Glenn Burke and Dusty Baker after a home run. Though the insipid congratulatory slaps after missed free throws will not be missed. But what will happen to the choreographed routines after sports come back? They might subsist as multiple charades-like motions – with no touching.
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