Coronavirus dutch pm tells nation not to shake hands then does

The infamous "handshake gaffe"!

On March 12, 2020, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte addressed the nation to advise people to avoid shaking hands to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. He said, "We must take measures to prevent the spread of the virus. One of those measures is to avoid shaking hands."

However, just a few hours later, Rutte was seen shaking hands with a group of people, including a doctor, at a press conference in The Hague. The incident sparked widespread criticism and ridicule on social media, with many people pointing out the hypocrisy of the Prime Minister's actions.

Rutte later apologized for the mistake, saying he had not intended to undermine his own advice. He explained that he had been in a situation where he felt it was necessary to shake hands, but acknowledged that he should have been more mindful of the situation.

The incident highlighted the challenges of communicating effectively during a crisis, and the importance of leading by example. Despite the mistake, Rutte's government continued to take measures to combat the spread of the virus, including implementing social distancing measures and encouraging people to work from home.