Spain’s health minister kisses own advice goodbye

Spanish Health Minister Trinidad Jimenez launched a new health campaign with recommendations to guard against the spread of swine flu by encouraging people to wash hands frequently, avoid sharing glasses and to refrain from kissing where possible. But just moments before she made her statement, the minister was caught kissing news conference assistants twice on ...

582058_090817_PHILIPPE_DESMAZES_AFP_Getty_Images25.jpg
582058_090817_PHILIPPE_DESMAZES_AFP_Getty_Images25.jpg

Spanish Health Minister Trinidad Jimenez launched a new health campaign with recommendations to guard against the spread of swine flu by encouraging people to wash hands frequently, avoid sharing glasses and to refrain from kissing where possible. But just moments before she made her statement, the minister was caught kissing news conference assistants twice on the cheek. Though a common social custom, local media wasted no time in capturing the irony, as weekend papers splashed pictures of Jimenez failing to practice what she preached. To date, Spain has accredited 11 deaths to the virus, giving it the second highest fatality rate in Europe. 

PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images

Aditi Nangia is an editorial researcher at Foreign Policy.

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