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No Hugs or Handshakes: Pandemic Complicates Storm Relief

Associated Press

   BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - For people who lost homes to the deadly tornadoes
   that rampaged across the South, there are no comforting hugs from
   volunteers or handshakes from politicians. There are no Red Cross
   shelters for homeless families, who are staying instead in hotel rooms
   to avoid large gatherings.

   The disaster response reflected how the coronavirus pandemic has
   changed relief efforts: Workers are still trying to provide all the
   comfort they can, but from a distance.

   Within hours of the tornado onslaught, which began Sunday, church
   groups were out in affected communities, and Southern Baptist
   volunteers were told to avoid holding hands with people as they pray,
   said Sam Porter, director of disaster relief for the nearly 15
   million-member denomination. Hugs also are out.

   "You're talking about a very hard change in procedures," Porter said
   Tuesday. "It's agonizing. Jesus touched people all through his
   ministry. He created us as emotional beings. But we are trying to
   comply with the guidelines."

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