NEW ORLEANS -- As the height of flu season approaches this winter, concerns about the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, right now are leading to some changes within old traditions.
This week, New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond told local Catholic Churches that small changes made during Mass could help stop the spread of germs and the flu.
At St. Dominic Catholic Church in Lakeview, Sunday Mass includes traditions handed down through the centuries. That includes communion, with wine taken from a communal cup.
In the time of swine flu, though, it is giving some people pause.
"I was already worried about drinking after, so especially once this all came up, that was a very big concern," said church member Ginger Vinet.
Amid the concerns, Aymond put out a notice that states Catholics do not have to take communion from the cup, especially if someone is sick.
"The precautions should also be taken, as the bishop said, if you're experiencing cold symptoms and not necessarily flu, and any disease, we should be a little more careful sometimes," said Fr. Mike O'Rourke of St. Dominic Catholic Church.
It is a common sense approach during what has been a deadly swine-flu outbreak.
New numbers released by the Centers for Disease Control show death estimates for swine flu are higher than previously thought. Since April, 4000 people have died from swine flu and 22 million have become sick. There are also issues with getting enough doses of the swine flu vaccine out, meaning prevention may be the key for some.
"I think the changes are wonderful because you don't have to worry about going up there and getting sick," Vinet said.
Swine flu isn't a concern for all churchgoers, though. Some say they will continue to accept communion wine from the cup and shake hands as a sign of peace.
"I wasn't concerned," said church member Caroline Harris. "I appreciate it. I'm happy that they're giving us options and informing us and letting us know what we should or could and can or can not do, but I still shake people's hands and I still take the wine. I'm not concerned in the least."
In the meantime, clergy are being urged to wash their hands thoroughly before and after communion in the hopes of minimizing the spread of any germs as much as possible.
