4 months ago
The reports of increased cases of the H1N1 virus and other flu-like sickness is causing the Diocese of Buffalo to make some changes in the Mass.
Churches in the diocese are being asked to suspend distribution of Holy Communion through the cup and the shaking of hands during the Sign of Peace. Bishop Edward Kmiec is asking church goers to offer a nod or verbal greeting of peace instead.
The changes take effect immediately and are in effect until further notice.
The bishop is also instructing priests, deacons and Eucharistic ministers to wash or sanitize their hands before distributing Holy Communion.
"In the past few weeks, we have seen a dramatic increase in sickness in our Catholic schools and in the workplace," said Bishop Kmiec. "Based on our consultations with Catholic Health officials and a number of county health departments in Western New York, we feel this is a prudent decision to make at this time. If people are sick, they should stay home. They are excused from their Sunday Mass obligation."
As for how businesses and organizations that cater to kids are dealing with Swine Flu most places are just paying closer attention now than anything else.
Sick kids or the fear of kids getting sick from or Swine Flu isn't slowing down life here at the Western New York Karate Center where kids are in close contact with each other. There's extra hand sanitizer around and every night the studio gets cleaned, vacuumed and wiped down. Some parents do worry about their kids getting sick, but not enough to change most of their habits.
Management at Lasertron in Amherst says so far, their cleaning routine hasn't changed, but they came in to the season prepared with extra hand sanitizer.
There's plenty of hand sanitizer and tissues stocked up at Karen Kelly Dance Center in Williamsville. One of the dance instructors told 2 On Your Side there has been an increase in the absence rate but no change in cleaning there. But everyone even the kids are more aware of the coughs, the hand washing and all the dangers the dangers of getting sick.
Click here to get answers to "Ten Questions on Influenza/H1N1 (Swine) Flu and the Liturgy" posted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
