Q&A ON SWINE FLU
WASHINGTON — The U.S. bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship has posted on the Web a series of 10 questions and answers related to participation at Mass during the time of the swine influenza (swine flu).
The information echoes that published in 2006 at the time of the avian (bird) flu and was developed in conjunction with the U.S. Center for Disease Control.
The 10 questions and answers can be found at http://usccb.org/liturgy/swineflu.shtml
Previously, the Q&A noted, “in those localities where the outbreak of the disease has been the most significant, bishops have introduced several liturgical adaptations in regard to such practices as the distribution of Holy Communion and the Exchange of the Sign of Peace in order to limit the spread of contagion.”
Also, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals are working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevension, encouraging aggressive prevention of the swine flu.
Because of the rapidly evolving situation people are encouraged to monitor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu for the most up-to-date information about swine flu. The State Department of Health and Hospitals website, http://www.flula.com may also be visited for more information.
The Q&A also re-emphasized “the need to practice good hygiene” now.
“Ministers of Holy Communion should be encouraged to wash their hands before Mass begins, or even to use an alcohol based anti-bacterial solution before and after distributing Holy Communion.”
The Q&A added that priest, deacons and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion ministers “should instruct people who feel ill not to receive from the cup.”
The Q&A also noted that “the need for the introduction of widespread liturgical adaptations for the prevention of the transmission of influenza in the diocese of the United States of America is not evident at this time.”
