H1N1:Church and the flu-- what do you do?

October 24, 9:12 PMRoman Catholic ExaminerPamela Luther

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H1N1 declared a national emergency

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Today the President declared the H1N1 virus,also called the Swine Flu, to be a national emergency,which in so doing is supposed to enable hospitals and doctors to better care for the expected surge of new patients. As cases of flu grow, what is the best practice for those of us in public settings, especially in church?

In my region of the country, there has been quite an outbreak of flu with people being told that it is H1N1 flu without it being tested. Suffice it to say, whether it is H1N1 or the regular flu, many people are ill with the typical fever and respiratory accompaniments.

With the proliferation of germs floating around, we have all been urged to use caution. Since Catholics attend mass every week, it is likely that some of these insidious little germs are present there just as much as in any other public place. This column examined church etiquette last May when we first started to hear about the “Swine” flu.

Decidedly, this is a good time to review a few key points.

As Catholics, we celebrate the Eucharist at every mass, where we partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. If you are not feeling quite well, have sniffles, coughing, etc., your brothers and sisters in Christ may appreciate it if you to avoid the Chalice. Remember that Jesus is fully present in both species, so you are not getting "less of Jesus" by only partaking in the Blessed Sacrament.

At one point in the liturgy, we share the sign of peace. That is a tricky social area. If you have been sitting next to a person who has been coughing, sneezing and snorting throughout the mass, you have a dilemma. Do you trust that because you are in church, you will be protected if you shake this person’s hand? Do you ignore him or her, thus turning your back upon the precepts of us being a faith community?

I figured out my own discreet game plan for those awkward moments so that I can fully participate in the mass without offending the sneezer beside me. This may sound  a bit bizarre, but I reach up beyond their hand and grab their arm or pat their shoulder.

If that doesn’t work, I carry a small non-scented hand sanitizer in my purse and unobtrusively reach in to get a squirt of it before going to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist. Squirrelly? Maybe so, but in light of the fact that it is essential that I show up for my job, I ask Our Lord for His protection and grace. From my years of studying theology, I know that we can trust Him in all things. And I just don't want to get sick.
For more discussion on the swine flu and church, read Swine Flu etiquette in church and Swine Flu: fear or faith?

Those you who have read this column know that occasionally my quirky humor shows up. Here is a video that defends the poor swine whose name seems to be permanently linked with the H1N1 virus. If you are ill, please know that people are praying for you. Hopefully, this totally unscientific song will help cheer you up.