MERGED: Communion during flu season

[asia53]

Dear gitzo,

You could wear a mask, such as this: http://smd-medical.com/upfile/Proimage/face_mask with earloops.jpg

Some people aren’t aware, they are ill, some people, unfortunately, don’t care.

 

[revert_jen]

When it comes to the sign of peac e, just say peace be with you. You do not have to extend your hands if someone has the flu.

So, the next time, just say peace be with you and do not extend youur hands.

In His Divine Mercy

(To the OP) You don’t have to extend your hands even if someone does not have the flu. I suggest holding on to your own forearms at times in the Mass when someone might “grab your hand” and at the sign of peace, smiling and wishing your neighbors peace without presenting a hand. Since the sign of peace is optional (at the priest’s discretion) you might even suggest to the pastor that you forego it (with a suitable explanation made to people) for the duration of the flu season. We do that in my parish every year.

If the potential for getting the flu doesn’t keep you away from work, restaurants, grocery stores, etc., it shouldn’t keep you from Mass. If you sit in the back row, fewer people will be able to sneeze on you. Also, attending the first Mass of the day is more likely to allow you to sit more isolated from people if it is really affecting your ability to concentrate at Mass. If your parish doesn’t have an early Mass (e.g. 7:00am), perhaps a nearby parish does.

–Jen

 

[Rence]

The best ways to avoid the flu are to wash your hands frequently (wear gloves when you shake hands with people, but remember all surfaces carry pathogens - like doorknobs, door handles, pew surfaces), and don’t touch your face, eyes, nose, mouth – and wear a mask.

People should avoid going to Mass when they know or suspect that they have the flu, or at the very least, they should wear a mask when they are around others and should skip the handshaking and/or wear gloves. But many people may not know that they have the flu, or don’t think it’s serious enough to be the flu. But,it really takes efforts on both sides of the pew to avoid spreading disease. So keep your hands off your face and wash your hands and wear a mask. Maybe a scarf might do it if the fabric is tight enough…

 

[agnes_therese]

Thanks,

But none of this addresses the sneezing and coughing.

Thanks,

Gitzo

True. But please remember that in at least some parts of the country, this is also a bad allergy season. Don’t be so quick to condemn people who come to Church, just because they’re sneezing and/or coughing. Like me, they could be suffering from allergies.

 

[JillianRose]

It doesn’t matter the flu is every where. I get my family the shots and we have not had it the past 3 years. Also, Flu (influenza) is airbourne. It is cought airbourne. So unless you stop breathing or where a mask you are gonna get it.

I stay home with the sick ones and the healthy ones got to church. Even though they have not got sick yet, there is a chance they are contagous. Since the day of mass they are healthy they should go. Can’t miss mass because you Might or have a higher risk of getting sick.

I tell our friends that we can not give the sign of peace and they are really nice. I think people understand.

P.S. If you do shake hands I have seen moms, get out the hand sanitizer have the the of peace!! lol

 

[Bookcat]

Skip the hand shake and sanitize after Mass etc (taking care when there with what you touch and not touching your face).

 

[Dolezal]

Hi,

This has prompted me to join CA and before I introduce myself need to jump right in with.

My parish has an increasing number of sick with the flu and cold people arriving and sneezing and coughing and then reaching out their hands at the sign of peace. I try to isolate myself but the gentleman who just sneezed and wiped his nose comes and grabs my hand for the Our Father. Now I actually appreciate the gesture but increasingly I am getting paranoid at Mass.

I LOVE going to Mass and have gone daily when possible but there are just too many people who just don’t seem to care and are spreading what ever they have.

I have always been under the impression Sunday Mass is mandatory under threat of sin but are the above enough concern to skip Mass? Yes I have taken other precautions in my life to avoid getting or spreading sickness.

I am quite sure that if you are sick should stay home under no sin, I think…

So could someone who knows please inform me? I searched some threads but seem to have missed it.

Peace
Gitzo

I’ve been to many different churches and I’ve never seen anyone hold hands during the Our Father. I’m pretty sure it’s not liturgical practice. As for the sign of peace, we usually say, “peace of Christ”. Again, I don’t think it’s liturgical practice to reach out your hand.

 

[Regina_Love]

In our parish with the Bishops blessing, we are replacing the hand shake of peace with a nod or slight bow, and “Peace be with you” until this flu season passes.

 

[GEddie]

Or carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you. They make a very small bottle, small enough to slip into your pocket or purse.

But will that kill the virus?

Anybody with biomedical knowhow know for sure???

 

[asia53]

But will that kill the virus?

Anybody with biomedical knowhow know for sure???

It won’t kill all germs, but is effective enough, until you can wash your hands with soap and water. Hand sanitizers won’t work if your hands are visibly dirty.

When I was a student nurse doing clinicals, most healthcare facilities’ rule of thumb, especially long term healthcare facilities (our most vulnerable patients), when dispensing meds(time-challenging job), hand sanitizer twice—third time–hand wash.

Hand washing with ordinary soap and water is the most effective way to remove germs. But when you’re on the go, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are tremendously effective in preventing the spread of the seasonal flu, H1N1, colds and other viral- and bacterial-based diseases.

Short blurb from the CDC with links for more information:

Hand Sanitizers

 

[ExGratia]

Dear gitzo,

You could wear a mask, such as this: http://smd-medical.com/upfile/Proimage/face_mask with earloops.jpg

Some people aren’t aware, they are ill, some people, unfortunately, don’t care.

I actually think those masks do not offer much protection…it’s really the sick people (who shouldn’t be out anyway) that should wear the masks to prevent the spread of germs.

At 9 months pregnant, I’ve become quite the nester…Sunday Mass and 1-2 x week to grocery store are basically all the outings I have! But, I’ve always been a homebody, especially when it is cold!

 

[Iheartcoffee]

Last weekend the priest told everyone to STAY HOME if they think they are sick. They are under no obligation to attend Mass while ill and likely to spread things to others. He also said he wants people to start nodding and smiling when doing the Sign of Peace to lessen the spread of germs during flu season.

I have always considered the fact that Mass is full of small children and elderly people. These are the very populations most likely to die from the flu. If you think you could bring harm to them with whatever illness you have, then don’t go to Mass until you are feeling better and non-contagious.

 

[asia53]

I actually think those masks do not offer much protection…it’s really the sick people (who shouldn’t be out anyway) that should wear the masks to prevent the spread of germs.

Actually, the masks do work. That’s why people with fragile Immune Systems, i.e. chemo patients, wear them. In Asia, healthy people wear them to prevent a cold, the flu, or minimize their exposure to other peoples’ germs.

The OP is worried about getting the flu—the mask, hand sanitizers, frequent hand washing are just suggestions to try and prevent the flu.

 

[KCT]

I’ve learned that our diocese has asked parishes to suspend the distribution of the Precious Blood to the faithful because of the flu epidemic. I’m fine with that.

1. If you receive Communion on the tongue, would you willingly suspend this practice for a month or two out of concern for your fellow parishioners’ health?

Yes. Not an issue. I see it as looking out for the priest, though.

 

[triumphguy]

This is not true. The Pope is above the Bishops. This was made clear after the incident in Calgary.

My understanding is that Bishop Henry rescinded his orders “concerning communion on the tongue,communion from the cup, holy water fonts, and hand shaking a…” after receiving information from the Calgary Medical Officer of Health that the Second Wave of H1N1 had subsided (MEMORANDUM Date: 2009-12-07From: Bishop F.B. Henry To: All Persons on Diocesan Mailing List Subject: H1N1 Update.) .

 

[onmyknees]

I am still going to receive the Holy Eucharist on the tongue. I did during the last flu epidemic and I received the precious Blood as well. I have never been sick from this. I guess I have faith that God will protect us. I heard that this flu is NOT spread by touching objects or people who are contagious but just by the droplets in the air.

 

[BcuzISaidSo]

He IS denying the Eucharist to people who can’t consume the regular Host, I’m afraid.



Were arrangements made to obtain the valid-for-consecration low-gluten host for those with celiac disease? Why should they be punished by not receiving, just because people are afraid of germs? Why not simply tell the rest of the congregation, “Don’t receive from the cup if you are afraid of germs!”

Arrangements can always be made, just talk to the priest. I haven’t met one yet that wouldn’t accommodate someone with a special need.

 

[Catholic_Wife]

Our Bishop has asked us to refrain from hand holding during the Lord’s prayer, shaking hands at the sign of peace, communion on the tongue,

and has suspended distribution of the precious blood, all in an effort to keep the flock healthy. I say thank you! He isn’t denying us the Eucharist, after all. When it comes right down to it, where does the importance lie, in the reception of Jesus, or in fulfilling our preference for HOW we receive?
I wish our diocese would also ask people to refrain from the bolded above. I cringed every time I heard someone blow their nose and cough at Mass this morning, and I’m thankful that those around us didn’t seem offended when I didn’t shake their hands (we don’t hold hands during the Our Father anyway).

I am still going to receive the Holy Eucharist on the tongue. I did during the last flu epidemic and I received the precious Blood as well. I have never been sick from this. I guess I have faith that God will protect us. **I heard that this flu is NOT spread by touching objects or people who are contagious but just by the droplets in the air. **

You heard wrong. I actually finished the chapters on diseases caused by microorganisms this morning. According to my book, “Inhalation of virus-laden aerosols and droplets constitutes the major route of influenza infection, although fomites can play a secondary role.” A fomite is “virtually any inanimate object an infected individual has contact with that can serve as a vehicle for the spread of disease.” (Cowan, Microbiology: A Systems Approach, 2012) Shall we discuss how cold viruses, pharyngitis, strep throat and other respiratory diseases are spread as well? As evidenced by many people at Mass this morning who were coughing and blowing their nose, people don’t stay home when they’re sick.

 

[Agape_et_Shalom]

I think this thread went exactly as the evil one would have it. Talking of ourselves and admonishing the sick for attending Mass. St Teresa pray for us.

 

[anp1215]

I attend the EF, so I just don’t like the sign of peace hand-shaking in general.

When the H1N1 first broke out in 2009, our bishop suspended communion on the tongue. When our priest from the FSSP said he couldn’t give communion in the hand, and tried to compromise with the bishop, the Masses were suspended until the bans were lifted.

Why did they suspend the Masses? Why didn’t they just withhold Communion from the laypeople?