As confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States ballooned to almost 200 across 13 states on Thursday, local organizations in Owensboro have begun preparing for the possibility of community spread in Kentucky.
One of those organizations is the Diocese of Owensboro.
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has encouraged Americans to prepare for the likelihood of community spread across the U.S., the Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro is doing its part to contain spread as well.
Announced via Facebook on Wednesday, the Diocese of Owensboro said Bishop William F. Medley had elected to stop offering the communal chalice during Mass throughout this Lent season.
“In terms of Mass, Bishop William F. Medley believes it may be prudent to not offer the chalice containing the Precious Blood to the congregation throughout the season of Lent,” the post said. “This will be reevaluated after Lent and further recommendations made.”
This Lenten season will last six weeks leading up to Easter Sunday.
The Diocese of Owensboro added those who attend Mass should consider offering the Sign of Peace instead of shaking hands, as is recommended during every flu season.
“The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops advises priests, deacons and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to use proper hygiene by ‘washing hands before Mass begins,’ and that if anyone is sick or experiencing symptoms of sickness they are ‘not obliged to attend Mass,’” the post stated.
The Diocese also said they were working closely with the CDC, the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the World Health Organization during this time, and that if any kind of spread were to occur in Kentucky or a pandemic were to affect the US, priests, parishes, schools, and parents would be notified immediately.
“The diocese has a flu pandemic policy that would be adapted and go into effect if the coronavirus becomes pandemic,” the diocese said. “This includes adjustments made in terms of liturgy, parishes, schools and diocesan events.”
