Wearing a protective mask to confession

  • Thread starter Thread starter njlisa
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
N

njlisa

Guest
The sacrament of reconciliation is being offered for extended hours every Monday. Would it be acceptable to wear a mask?
 
Last edited:
I just sewed a bunch of them for my family but am not sure if I have the courage to wear them out. I keep reading it protects other people from the wearer rather than protecting the wearer from illness.

Since many people choose not to confess face to face and there is no reason you have to show your whole face in confession, there should be no issue either way.
 
The guidance from the CDC is that you do not need a mask if you are healthy. If you are sick, a mask helps keep you from infecting others.
 
@MrZoom: Here’s what puzzles me. A mask blocks a sick person from spreading the virus. Wouldn’t a mask keep a healthy person from inhaling the virus? Plus, COVID-19 infected people can be asymptomatic for days.

What are your thoughts beyond from the CDC advice?

@DisorientingSneeze:
Airborne illness are nearly possible to contain. And latest reports say that COVID-19 is more contagious than the 1918 Spanish flu, which infected one third of the world’s population.

In any case, I’m worried about etiquette. 😟

@Convert3
I don’t see why not, but I also don’t understand why.
Click to expand...
I want to fulfill my lenten obligation to go to confession before the virus spreads to my area. I would wear the mask for peace of mind.
 
Last edited:
I doubt that the masks that the public has helps either way, My understanding is that the mask protects others from contracting my cold, but the virus is very small and isn’t stopped by a mask. So I wear a mask in the supermarket to protect others from my cough, but it doesn’t protect me from anything.
 
I had it explained to me that you are likely to have to remove your mask with your hands or may touch your mask with your unclean hands. Then you’re sort of just wearing an infection rag on your mouth and nose.

My desire to make some came from how useful the three old disposable ones we still had were when my kids got the flu. Small children would not abide by the boundaries of my quarentine attempts but they would wear a mask when in the car with us or same room as us. Half of us didn’t get the flu I think because we put masks on our sick people.

Unrelated, I feel like the mask could be a physical reminder against habitual face touching and thats why I’m still questioning the CDC advice.

My 2 year old licks…various surfaces…for sport. She doesn’t if she has a mask on. So there’s also that.
 
At this time, it is not only acceptable, it is prudent to wear mask - but even more important: gloves! We infect ourselves with our hands. Say the virus is on a surface: It can live there for at least 3 days. So, you touch the surface (door handle, pew, countertops) and then your eye itches. You just infected yourself.

Prevention is the only answer as there is no treatment or cure except for our immune systems.

This stuff is diabolical.
 
njlisa said:
Would it be acceptable to wear a mask?
Click to expand...
pointless.

The mask protects somewhat from infection from you. If you should be wearing it, you shouldn’t be at church.

It does NOTHING to protect you from infection.

zero. zilch. zip.
 
Guys, I greatly appreciate your posts about epidemiology. 😃

But I’m looking for advice about propriety.
 
Last edited:
njlisa said:
But I’m looking for advice about propriety.
Click to expand...
in all seriousness, the propriety of a particular type of shoes is more relevant.

It just plain wouldn’t protect the wearer, but signals that the wearer is a risk to others . . . so with that said, I’d find it inappropriate.

(however, pulling off your mask and forcing a cough in a grocery store might be an effective shopping tactic at the moment! 😱)
 
njlisa said:
@MrZoom: Here’s what puzzles me. A mask blocks a sick person from spreading the virus. Wouldn’t a mask keep a healthy person from inhaling the virus? Plus, COVID-19 infected people can be asymptomatic for days.

What are your thoughts beyond from the CDC advice?
Click to expand...
The illness is droplet spread. Wearing any mask will limit the ‘spray’ coming from an ill person’s cough or sneeze. The common type masks you see have gaps and areas around the face where contact may occur.
Wash your hands, try not to touch your face (eyes, nose, mouth), and if you are I’ll, and are going to be around others consider wearing a mask.
njlisa said:
@DisorientingSneeze:
Airborne illness are nearly possible to contain. And latest reports say that COVID-19 is more contagious than the 1918 Spanish flu, which infected one third of the world’s population.
Click to expand...
It is droplet spread. There is no evidence it is airborne. There is a big difference.

As for etiquette, I see nothing wrong if that is what you want and it provides some comfort to you. Can’t imagine any priest objecting.
 
Kinda silly to go through such gymnastics to tell God you’re sorry for the sins you committed.

Rules prohibit me from expressing how I feel about the latest info my Bishop issued
 
3M put out an explanation of what masks.protect and in what ways. There are also.videos for nurses and doctors about how to.wear masks safely.
 
How so? Non-oriented fibers filter both directions. It is when they become saturated with exhaled moisture that their effectiveness diminishes. The exception is some masks with exhaust valves which protect you, but not others.

The masks are intended to protect against droplets (cough. sneeze) which contain the virus. Our hands are far more dangerous to us, but it only takes one infected person to cough or sneeze within 5-6 meters and you risk infection. That has been documented.
 
Last edited:
I really would prefer not to debate this issue. However, I’d like point out that the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) states that masks can protect workers from infection.

My focus was etiquette only.
 
Etiquette: Yes you can wear one to confession as long as the priest can hear your sins. Horse masks frowned upon.
 
One neither wants to wear this mask or hear this statement…

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top