[ebb tide]

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.

[Mrs. Don-o]

From an epidemiological POV I think you are right There’s no good reason to suspend reception on the tongue.