hands to begin with then there wouldn't be anything to worry about, would there?

Here's the problem I have with choosing to "never" shake hands in public:

- If you refuse to shake hands, then you're certainly going to be against....

— hugs
— wiping the tears off the face of a crying child that isn't your own (think: teachers)
— slapping someone on the back or similar forms of physical expression, etc ("Ahhh! What if they cough on me?!")

There is so much to human nature and human connection that literally requires physical touching. Not everyone has a great home life where they can get all the physical touch/physical affection they need at home. There are already far too many people who feel "isolated" even during normal times, this type of paranoia is just going to make it worse. "Worse" as in more loneliness, more heartache and pain. I truly shake my head in sorrow at how many CBers on this thread are so willing to run down the road of isolation instead of saying "Let's all do the right thing, the smart thing and just wash our hands." Yes, I understand that many of us do not. I'm in airport bathrooms all the time and I frequently see guys not washing their hands with soap after using the bathroom. That's gross, I get it. But to just say "we won't ever shake hands anymore" is to give in to stupidity and laziness.