September 18, 2009

Parishes, schools, ready for H1N1 virus

By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)

Catholic parishes and schools are prepared for the H1N1 virus.

Catholic schools will cooperate with their county health departments, according to Don-na Halverson, director of the Catholic schools office.

As for the celebration of sacred liturgies at the parishes, “There is no need to suspend Communion from the chalice, the shaking of hands at the Sign of Peace, or other forms of physical contact at this time,” according to Matt Miller, diocesan director of worship.

Following are the texts of memos distributed by the office of Catholic schools and the diocesan office of worship.

The Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Evansville will follow the direction of their respective County Health Departments. Each county will have different plans for containing the H1N1 virus. Our schools will work in cooperation with them.

Catholic Schools Office Recommendations

Hand washing/personal hy-giene education will be held in every classroom in the diocese.
Information on H1N1/seasonal flu will be sent to parents either by mail or website notices.
Schools will display informational posters provided by the CDC and the Catholic Schools Office.
All schools will designate an isolation room for students with flu symptoms.
Any school closings will come from the Catholic Schools Office in consultation with the County Health Department.
In case of a school closing, the school will provide instructional materials for continuous education.
Every student should wash hands or use hand sanitizer at the beginning of each school day and before they leave at the end of the day.
Water fountains should be monitored for use. Paper cups or water bottles for students are encouraged.
School staff and custodial personnel will clean additional areas such as: air exchange ducts, doors, doorknobs, keyboards and desks using cleaning solutions approved by the EPA to be effective against viruses.
We discourage the use of handkerchiefs because the vi-rus lives for 5 to 7 days in them. Tissues should be discarded after use.
If students use school phones, phones need to be disinfected after use.
Perfect attendance awards should not be encouraged this year.
We also discourage any “hand-holding” activity among students.
Distribution of student ma-terials should be handled by the teacher.

Matt Miller, after consulting with the local health department, offered the following suggestions:

There is no need to suspend Communion from the chalice, the shaking of hands at the “Sign of Peace,” or other forms of physical contact at this time.
Remind people (before Mass, in the bulletin, etc.) that if they are feeling ill, they should not receive from the chalice (this is good advice year-round).
Remind people (before Mass, in the bulletin, etc.) that if they are uncomfortable or concerned about the spread of disease, they do not have to receive from the chalice, nor should they feel obligated to shake hands at the “Sign of Peace.”
Vaccinations, good hygiene, avoiding sick people, and staying home if you are sick are the best ways to avoid transmitting the virus.
The local health department will let us know if further actions need to be taken, and then you will be notified as quickly as possible.
Please continue to remember all of the sick in prayer. One suggestion would be to celebrate a Mass for the Sick (Sac-ramentary: Masses for Various Needs and Occasions, 32) on an appropriate weekday.

For more information: