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Influenza update 27 November 2009 PDF  | Print |  E-mail
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Influenza update 27 November 2009
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We know that many people have been very concerned during the H1N1 pandemic about the administration of Holy Communion. Please note that the Archbishops have now (26 November) revised their advice and are calling for a return to the common cup. However, it is of course still important to practise good hygiene while preparing and administering Communion, and to use local discretion in the event of an outbreak of the virus.
 
Please keep checking this website for the most up-to-date information.
 
1. As in any crisis, the Church should remain open for business as usual.

  • There are prayers below for people who are ill or anxious about this flu.

  • Further to their advice earlier in the year, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written again to all diocesan bishops recommending that the normal administration of Holy Communion should resume. You can read their latest letter here.

2. The best way to stop the spread of any infection is through good personal hygiene.

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water regularly, or when available use antibacterial alcohol gel. Wash regularly, especially when entering or leaving a building, and at regular intervals, around every 90 minutes.

  • Coughs and sneezes spread infection rapidly. It is essential that you cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze. Make sure that tissues are available, as well as bins for the safe disposal of used tissues.

  • If you have flu symptoms, stay at home. Make sure someone knows where you are.
    See:     DirectGov: Swine flu - everything you need to know
    and:     NHS:  Important information about swine flu

  • If you are not showing symptoms but someone in your household is, you do not need to stay at home. You are not infectious if you are not showing symptoms. However, if you are a priest or other church worker, you may need to consider arrangements for covering your duties if you catch the virus from your family.  

 3  It is important that churches have flu pandemic plans in place in case the situation worsens.
 
4. The Church is well placed to help the community in times of difficulty.

  • The Government is recommending that people identify ‘flu friends’ to help in the event of the pandemic worsening.  Flu friends are people who will collect medicines, food and other supplies for you if you get swine flu, so that you don’t have to leave home. Very often it will be a good idea not to choose people you have a lot of close contact with (e.g. other members of a Home Group) as you may all succumb at the same time.

  • You can find out more about flu friends in the NHS documents: Flu Friend and Prepare your home for a flu pandemic.

  • There will be some vulnerable people in our communities who do not have people they can call on to help in this way. This is where the church can help by setting up a flu friend scheme. It does not need to be complicated – and may simply involve building on a network you already have in place, such as street wardens or good neighbours scheme.

  • We recommend you look at this website for an example of good practice. 

Thank you to all those who have worked hard to respond to the pandemic in their local communities. 

The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher, Bishop of Dorchester, Chair of the Diocese of Oxford Planning Group
27 November 2009

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