The way it worked here, is that Fr. Dustin, accompanied by an acolyte with a paten, administered to us as we were kneeling. Fr. Dustin just held out the Sacred Host and sort of dropped it into my receiving hand (left), and I brought my receiving hand immediately and directly to my mouth and consumed the Host. And then quietly and unobtrusively licked the palm of my receiving hand without (I think) anyone else noticing.
Hand, tongue, licking. That sounds less hygienic and less respectful, than Communion directly on the tongue.
Hands touch church door handles, pews, missals/missalettes, forhead and clothes (in making the Sign of the Cross) etc prior to Holy Communion.