Of course, Jewel, it's wrong to spread viruses. It causes people to miss work and school and can be extremely serious if spread to seniors, babies or those with other health issues.

As for the communion cup, I've seen the priest repeatedly wipe the lip with a white cloth. In my opinion, that's a worthless effort.

I hope you don't get sick.

In our church, we have actually had suspension of the communion cup during the flu season. Also, our priest would announce to please nod or bow to your fellow parishioners instead of the usual handshake during this flu season. Very good idea.

If I'm sick and someone goes to shake my hand I very politely tell them, I'm sorry, I have a cold, I don't want to chance passing it on. They are always understanding and appreciative. Geez, common sense people.

I hope you don't get sick!

With a compromised immune system I try very hard to avoid situations where I can be directly exposed but I have to go buy groceries, and supplies etc. Yesterday we were buying groceries and this girl probably 10 or 11,old eenough to know better, is running around all over coughing violently while running with no thought of covering her mouth. She came with in inches of me in her jumping and running and spewed a wet cough right in my direction. Her mother was feet away never said anything to her. I couldn't stand it and said please cover your mouth when you cough. They both just looked at me like I had 2 heads or something and said nothing, she continued on, mom said nothing. I steered my Scooter as far from them as possible.
So I am just hoping and praying my preventive methods help me.

I see signs all over the place now days telling to cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing but it doesn't seem like parents are enforcing this lesson. I am very tempted to wear masks in this season but then people will think I am the sick one but that might not be too bad they may stay away.

Raven, I saw a lady in a wheelchair in the grocery store a couple of days ago with a mask. She was looking for the same thing I was. She apologized for wearing a mask, but, she also has a compromised immune system. Its a very good idea to wear one, I think.

My best friend and I both spent about 5 days of our Hawaiian vacation last November sick. Thanks to some inconsiderate flyers who apparently didn't think that the risk of infecting up to 200 of us crowded into that plane was enough to inconvenience them enough to rearrange their schedules until they felt better. My first real vacation in 8 years. I was so upset.

I just do not understand why people don't stay home if they are sick! I went to a concert a couple weeks ago the family behind me kept coughing badly, so I got up and moved! Hope they got the hint!

When you are sick, cough into your inside elbow....if you cough in your hand, then whatever you touch could be spreading your germs. I keep a pump bottle of GermX in my car and every time I get back from a store, I put some on.....also, if stores have wipes for carts, wipe down the handles.

Last year when the flu was so bad, our church minister said not to shake hands when greeting...a good idea! I would not drink from a common cup...glad we have individual cups.

You have to the charge of your health care any way you can.

I sit in the car or stay home when my husband goes to the store for that very reason. I am on home dialysis and I don't want to get sick. In doctors offices I don't touch anything either. That's a good place to pick up many germs. I like the idea of a mask. Think i will carry one with me just in case I decide to go inside a store. Stay well.
Mary

I don't know, I think it's unreasonable to expect someone to change their vacation if they came down with a cold a few days beforehand. Many hotels are non-refundable, and there are often hefty fees associated with changing flight dates, not to mention changing work schedules, school, etc. I mean, it sucks (I caught a nasty cold on my honeymoon a few months ago so I understand) but it's one of the risks of traveling.

Angela, if you had caught a cold a few days beforehand, would you have been willing to reschedule and lose hundreds or thousands of dollars to prevent spreading germs? Because if you are, you are a better person than I am!

Having raised a family of kids, I can say that getting one to adopt considerate habits for sneezing and coughing isn't easy. Look around in public, it isn't like all adults have caught on either. With kids, I found it mostly didn't happen until well into teenage years, if then. Those who think this is a simple habit for a kid to pick up are either much better at child training than we were, or don't have any kids. I gonna bet the latter.

Airplanes are notorious for catching diseases, it's just the chance that has to be taken when you take a flight. I agree with chi83, people often can't change travel plans just because they've taken ill. It's happened to me many times on both the giving and the receiving end. As the expression goes, stuff happens, you just need to move on.

Someone who is susceptible or at risk for catching airborne-spread diseases should avoid enclosed public places, including going to a religious service when flu or other diseases are active in your area. You know what can happen to you when other people and kids are around, why be angry or surprised about it?

i would never submit my sick kids to others, way back when, but they aren't as careful with their own...dh and i have been very careful to maintain flu shots, but this gma doesn't kiss her grands most of the time unless it's a head topper..

I was surprised to see my 4 year old grandson cough into his elbow recently. He has been taught by his teacher and parents.

I just do not understand why people don't stay home if they are sick! I went to a concert a couple weeks ago the family behind me kept coughing badly, so I got up and moved! Hope they got the hint!

When you are sick, cough into your inside elbow....if you cough in your hand, then whatever you touch could be spreading your germs. I keep a pump bottle of GermX in my car and every time I get back from a store, I put some on.....also, if stores have wipes for carts, wipe down the handles.

Last year when the flu was so bad, our church minister said not to shake hands when greeting...a good idea! I would not drink from a common cup...glad we have individual cups.

You have to the charge of your health care any way you can.

When the bird flu was raging in the Asian countries, people over there were wearing masks. I saw on the news at that time that masks do not protect the wearer, it protects the others from the wearer. So wear one if you are sick, it will protect your family and friends. Wearing one to protect yourself does not work. Surgeons wear them when they operate to protect you.

We did have to bump our flight out 10 days. Cost 60.00 per person. No charge to change our hotel or car reservations. More than worth not infecting another traveler, much less a plane load of them!

Actually studies show that using a mask properly does help the wearer. There is no guarantee it will be protection enough to prevent infection but every little bit helps especially in those with weakened immune systems. I have a box of masks, if I am sick I wear them I would not want to cause someone else to be ill.
Thankfully every one of our grandchildren have learned very early on about this subject and are very good at practicing what they were taught. Thanks to good parents.
For many years, scientists weren't sure if wearing a mask was effective at preventing the spread of viruses. However, recent studies suggest that they can help.

and a little info about why Japanese wear them so often
Why do Japanese people wear surgical masks? ItâÂÂs not always for health reasons

My area has a VERY large population of ethnic Chinese immigrants and long has. The habit of mask wearing is many decades old and (as far as I know) is self-focused. In traditional Chinese culture, one's family members are important but showing consideration for strangers is not a widely-held practice as it can be in other cultures.

A couple of weeks ago when I was coughing heavily I avoided the old guys' coffee hour (ROMEOs - Retired Old Men Eating Out) on a Thursday and was planning to miss church, but the coughing was much reduced so did go - coughed into inside of elbow.

Our church has people come in groups to stand in a semi circle before the table, then the officiant breaks off a piece of bread from a part loaf, hands it to the participant, who then dips it into the cup, carried by another officiant.

A few weeks ago when, not encumbered by coughing, I was assistant officiant, the minister gave each our hands a shot of alcohol for us to rub, just before we started the communion part of worship.

ole joyful