Sharing is usually seen as a virtuous act, but this isn’t the case when it comes to a pastor’s microphone. It may not seem like a problem that a dozen people share one microphone at your church. You probably use the house mic at conferences and when you’re on the road without thinking twice about it. But you may be putting your health and the health of others at risk by sharing a mic.

Sharing Mics Can Spread Disease
During cold and flu season you probably take precautions to stay healthy and to make sure you don’t sicken others if you come down with a cold. You use hand sanitizer, sneeze into your elbow, and keep shared surfaces clean. So why do you keep sharing microphones?

Microphones get contaminated with cold and flu germs in a number of ways. First, keep in mind how close the mic is to your mouth. As you speak or sing you are getting your saliva all over the mic. Sometimes you might even cough or sneeze on it. If it’s a handheld microphone, you also have the opportunity to slather the barrel of the mic with germs from your hands. Pop and wind filters are especially good at harboring germs because they can remain moist for a long time. Many mics also have integrated windscreens that can’t be easily changed or cleaned.