to the National High Five Project, the event began in 2002 at the University of Virginia after a group of students set up a booth and gave out high-fives and lemonade. The project has held events where participants take part in a "high-five-a-thon" to raise funds for charity. Human health A 2014 medical study found that fist bumps and high fives spread fewer germs than handshakes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the high-five was "singled out, stigmatized and fraught with anxiety", being replaced by gestures such as knocking elbows, tapping forearms, or clicking cleats. For example, college conferences banned the high-five; the Yankees informally resolved to bump elbows instead of slapping hands; the Minnesota Twins banned physical contact with fans. Outside of sports, individuals reported avoiding the high-five in their daily lives. Dusty Baker, the presumed originator of the gesture, advocated for contactless high-fives. References External links 30 for 30: The High Five, ESPN Films, directed by Michael Jacobs 1977 introductions American cultural conventions Articles containing video clips Hand gestures