Kissing as everybody knows, is a patented French (invention) custom, difficult to circumvent. Everything in France (from cradle to grave) starts and ends with kisses… regardless of the weather conditions.
“Until you have been kissed on a rainy Parisian afternoon, you have never been kissed.” Woody Allen
Absolutely true. I can vouch for it.
Kissing is extremely catchy… It can spread like fire. But so is the dreaded Coronavirus. Given the impeding pandemic, is kissing to become verboten, obsolete? Maybe… but I doubt it.
No matter what the (unprepared) authorities will declare, just like during the Prohibition, there will be speakeasies where kissing will remain popular. Yes, there will be raids and arrests, but you cannot stop smooching. It is a human right mentioned in the Declaration of Independence… Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…
Since kissing could bring about deadly consequences, it might become a little less attractive to some people. But for bungee jumpers, office seekers and other thrills applicants, it will come to be the Holy Grail. Kiss me if you dare! What teenager could refuse that challenge?
On our troubled times, kissing could also be weaponized. To get rid of some inconvenient opponents, you could hire some hitmen/hitwomen to give them the kiss of death. Better than Polonium. Discreet, pleasant and deadly.
On the pétanque field, no more smooching. We might have to wear hazmat suits and it would not be very practical. So, what could we do to greet each other in a friendly manner? A pat on the butt? A High-Five? A deep Japanese bow?
In don’t know, but in my crystal ball I see a killer app that could supersede kissing. When meeting, people would draw out their smartphones and point it at each other. A giant wet kiss would then be sent to the recipient.
Conclusion
The Coronavirus crisis is a very serious problem and it will get worse before it gets better, but panic is a very bad advisor. Until a vaccine is produced, everybody needs to stay cool and use common sense. Follow the guidelines from the CDC.
“Perform hand hygiene frequently. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60 to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.”
Alain
“Some women blush when they are kissed; some call the police, some swear, some bite. But the worst are the those who laugh.” Anonymous