No Handshake To Prevent Coronavirus

No handshake, no hugging in church to prevent coronavirus. What do you think about it?

But if someone has the virus, you can catch it from them without even touching them, if they sneeze or cough. So how effective is no handshaking/hugs? I feel that it will just cause folks to be even more unfriendly.

I'm not much of a hugger but handshakes are OK.

I don't know....I just feel we need to practice more hand washing and more use of hand sanitisers. And being aware not to use our unwashed hands to touch our faces.

But even if we adults can avoid touching each other, how will the kids manage? They are bound to play and hold hands etc. And adults hold the hands of kids as well when they are trying to get them to sit still or when they are leading them to the rest room. I'm just thinking up various scenarios...

Unfortunately not all people wash their hands and it is a huge vector for transmission of any number of illnesses. There are other ways of greeting and I'm good with that. There are a number of people with arthritis for whom shaking hands can cause pain.
Hugs can be very nurturing but not everyone is comfortable with them. I love hugs from good friends but I've worked with women who have been abused either as children or in relationships and hugging can scare them. It is sad that something meant to be so beautiful can become a source of fear.
Right now, due to the current health issues, it is best to do what we can. We should all be washing our hands, avoid shaking hands and only hug those that invite it.
As for children, we need to be really diligent in getting them to wash their hands and faces. Yes I know that that is hard but it would be a great thing anyways.

They tell people to not handshake as a way of making people feel that they can do something to avoid this virus.. But as we all know the virus spreads in the air in dropletts people breath in.. So aviding a hand shake has no reall effect.. Of course people should wash their hands before a meal and not be touching their face with unclean hands.. That should be a normal daily policy virus or no virus..

This virus is now unstoppable so sooner or later people are going to get it.. People should just go about living their lives and pray for Gods will to be done.. If one survives then so be it.. If one dies then they will be with the LORD, so be it.. His will be done.. No fear, No stress..

I agree with Adstar, live each day as if it is your last, fear nothing but disappointing the Master, to live is Christ to die is gain.

Unless the Lord watch over the city, the watch man stay awake in vain.

Refusing to shake hands with the people at church, but breathes in the virus. Oh my, will there be enough masks for everyone? Only the protection of God will help us perfectly that's for sure.

I still shake hands with folk (I am a restaurant manager so it would actually be frowned upon not too) but I am very cautious to wash my hands as often as possible. I just pray to the Lord to protect me from the virus

I think it helps because maybe someone has it on their hand. U shake it and then ur eyes itch or.nose and u scratch it and boom you can get it. While it doesn't take the risk completely, it does lower it. We do feet and elbow bumps..sometimes fistbumps haha

Vermont has it's first confirmed case of the COVID-19 corona virus..

In germany we are at over 1130 infected and 2 deaths since yesterday. Waiting for updates

There is a time for handshake, a time for hugging, a time for kissing but NOW this is not the time for that. This is a time of darkness, a time of suffering...

I'm trying to get used to this elbow and feet bump, but I just think it's silly.

Well its fun though. We are family in Jesus. Why not let this serious situation ease some tensions and have fun. Imo

Rejoice in the Lord always

I mean.... I will still hug and shake a homeless persons hand outside of church.

I definitely wouldn't be shy to shake someones hand IN church.


I have no children but I also am not too worried of getting sick. If I was sick then ya, I'd avoid all contact with others.


I keep my clothes clean, wash my hands plenty and keep hand sanitizer in my car while I am out and about.

I think a big smile a little nod of the head, accompanied by a verbal greeting gives the message. If somebody comes at me with their elbow I'd probably jump back! lol

Maybe we should go back to the holy kiss.

If I have a cold or flu, I stay home. I will do the same if I get the corona virus.

While I am in church, I will hug those who need a hug, shake hands with those who want a hand shake, and avoid those who come to church sick because they feel it's a mortal sin to stay home for any reason.

Keep your hands away from your face and you will be fine.
Also, there also has to be certain level of concentration of the virus transmitted to really make you sick.

On a side note, I think it would be nice to remember the people who can't make it to church for health reasons and lift them up. Sending them an email or giving them a phone call to greet them would be a kindness. It is easy to become isolated and feel the loss when you can't attend. Sometimes it is a mom or dad who can't attend because they have a chronically ill child. A friend of mine has two severely autistic children who are unable to safely attend service. She mourns not being able to attend regularly.
I know that this isn't the topic but it has to do with greetings. It is what came to mind as I read the posts. Thanks my sisters and brothers in Christ.

I would add, pay them a visit periodically.