One church stops taking wine during communion

MARQUETTE -- Hand washing is up and face masks are "in."  The new norm for this flu season is to take extra-precautions to prevent H1N1 from spreading.

St. Michael's Catholic Church in Marquette took extra steps, Friday at mass.  There was the usual singing, prayer, and scripture message.

But wine was not given to the congregation during mass, to prevent the passing of the flu.  It's a decision left up to each parish pastor in the Catholic Diocese.

Father Larry VanDamme said he decided to do it, after St. Michael's cancelled school last Tuesday through Friday, because of the illness.

"Most people seem to have appreciated the measures, knowing there certainly is a risk", Father VanDamme said.  "It seems like the responsible thing to do."

The church is also passing on the "sign of the peace" where people greet each other with handshakes.

"Hopefully we can bring back these practices as the epidemic passes by", Father VanDamme said.

Across town at the Peninsula Medical Center, doctors in Marquette General's Family Medicine Clinic see sick people on a daily basis?  So, how do they keep from getting sick, and keep the flu from spreading throughout the office?

Hand sanitizer, and plenty of it.

Doctors use it before entering, and after coming out of patient rooms.  They also wear masks into people's rooms if they suspect people might have seasonal flu or H1N1.

"When they are seen by our receptionist, if we're able, we'll bring them right back into a room and get them seen", said Dr. Bill Short.  "So they're not spending a lot of time in the waiting area."

So far they've seen about five people a day with flu-like symptoms, over the past three weeks.

Meanwhile the Marquette County Health Department is taking appointments for the H1N1 vaccine again.

The numbers to call are (906) 475-1176 or (906) 475-1175, or toll free at (888) 363-9708.

10:00 a.m. - Peninsula Medical Center - Marquette: The Marquette General Family Medicine Clinic has a hand sanitizing station at each entrance for people who want to stay well or for those feeling ill.  They also have masks sitting out.  Signs encourage people to put one on if they have flu-like symptoms.  The clinic has been seeing about five people with flu-like symptoms each day, and I'm starting to think that hand sanitizer use might become more popular than the bottled water craze of the late '90s.  I interviewed someone this week who had a mini sanitizer in his pocket, one on his desk, and one in the car.  I've been told the Health Department has more H1N1 vaccine, so I'm headed to check that out.

7:30 a.m. - St. Michael's Church - Marquette:  Today I am visiting St. Michael's School Mass to find out how they are preventing the spread of the flu.  They still have some students out sick, but most are back after the school was closed last week.  Communion was held, but not as usual. 

Now I am heading to The Peninsula Medical Center to see if they are taking any precautionary measures.

Check back later for an update.