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There are several issues at stake for the Church during this crisis. Critics of the public health measures seem to be ignorant of the risks, or doubtful about what we& #39;ve been told about the unique nature of this virus. 1/
A serious difficulty with the Catholic liturgy and sacraments in this pandemic is their communal and physical nature. It& #39;s not just about sitting or standing far apart from others, washing your hands, and using hand sanitizer. 2/
Research shows that the virus is viable on surfaces for LONG after they& #39;ve been touched.
"The virus is viable for up to 72 hrs on plastics, 48 hrs on stainless steel, 24 hrs on cardboard, & 4 hrs on copper. It& #39;s also detectable in the air for 3 hrs." 3/ https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/03/20/sars-cov-2-survive-on-surfaces/">https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/03/2...
"The virus is viable for up to 72 hrs on plastics, 48 hrs on stainless steel, 24 hrs on cardboard, & 4 hrs on copper. It& #39;s also detectable in the air for 3 hrs." 3/ https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/03/20/sars-cov-2-survive-on-surfaces/">https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/03/2...
Think about it. It& #39;s not just the sign of peace and the holy water font. We& #39;re talking door handles, collection baskets and envelopes, bulletins, public bathrooms.
The back of the pew in front of you? Forget about it. And a confessional is basically a 4x4& #39; petri dish. 4/
The back of the pew in front of you? Forget about it. And a confessional is basically a 4x4& #39; petri dish. 4/
As for the sacraments, while I certainly don& #39;t want to see our priests get sick and die, my primary concern is not for them (no offense), especially if they are younger, but if they don& #39;t use EXTREME discretion when/if administering the sacraments, they could easily become 4/
a carrier, and spread the virus from one parishioner to another:
"Several studies have shown now that people infected with the new coronavirus are most contagious about one to three days before they begin to show symptoms." 5/ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/31/health/coronavirus-asymptomatic-transmission.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/3...
"Several studies have shown now that people infected with the new coronavirus are most contagious about one to three days before they begin to show symptoms." 5/ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/31/health/coronavirus-asymptomatic-transmission.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/3...
That& #39;s right: MOST contagious 1-3 days BEFORE showing symptoms. This is not about the clergy& #39;s personal fear of death, as the editor of a "leading intellectual journal" repeatedly insists. It& #39;s to prevent the clergy from killing YOU. 6/
What has to happen for people to realize that this is the best course of action until we get a handle on this virus? A trip to the ICU after you& #39;ve already spent 3 days infecting other people?
Seriously, folks. Stop acting like you are victims of oppression. 7/
Seriously, folks. Stop acting like you are victims of oppression. 7/
