Hands off: Area agencies issue edicts on swine flu

Everyone from President Obama on down agrees for the need to wash hands and cover coughs and sneezes to prevent the spread of swine flu, but area residents weighed more stringent measures as they gauged how fast the flu is spreading and how virulent it is.

Most were adopting a wait-and-see approach, but the Northern Illinois Soccer League took a proactive stance by instituting a ban on postgame handshakes "until the swine flu epidemic has passed."

"As a precaution," a memo to coaches posted on the league Web site advised, "the NISL is requesting that all clubs, teams, and players forgo the traditional handshake at the end of the game and replace it with a nod-of-the-head gesture, followed by the comment, 'Good game.'"

The NISL is no small operation. Based in Palatine, it oversees more than 1,200 teams in more than 100 community leagues with 15,000 players ranging in age from 8 to 19.

"At this stage, it was precautionary," said NISL President Peter Richardson. "It's a simple thing to do." He added that it was done to "take some sort of leadership," and also to give the kids "a sense of responsibility" as everyone tries to do everything possible to combat an epidemic. "It's not only a wise thing to do," he said, "but it's an educational thing to do."

Richardson said it did not address teammates embracing or exchanging high-fives after a goal because for now there is no need to limit the kids' natural exuberance beyond a simple postgame ritual.

Other rites, however, were under more scrutiny, as Catholic churches had to face more thorny concerns over the use of communion cups and whether to engage in the so-called handshake of peace in Mass.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops put out a release on "Ten Questions on Influenza/Swine Flu and the Liturgy." It mostly focused on the already-familiar Centers for Disease Control and Prevention admonitions to wash hands, cover coughs and avoid contact with infected persons, deciding, "The need for the introduction of widespread liturgical adaptations for the prevention of the transmission of influenza in the dioceses of the United States of America is not evident at this time."

Yet, it also said ministers of the Holy Communion "should be especially reminded of the need to practice good hygiene," and "they should instruct people who feel ill not to receive from the cup."

The Diocese of Joliet echoed that in a statement released by Bishop J. Peter Sartain, but the Archdiocese of Chicago was even more clear, advising, "Those who feel ill should especially act responsibly. Refraining from taking Holy Communion from the chalice, sharing the sign of peace with a simple nod of the head and the verbal exchange of Christ's peace instead of shaking hands, and avoiding close contact with others will go a long way in helping prevent others from catching the same illness."

The archdiocese added that while there are no plans at this time to alter the Rite of Peace or Holy Communion, "all Catholics should exercise prudence in the celebration of the Eucharist."

Suburban Catholic churches appeared to be following suit. Diane Augustine, office manager at St. Anne's in Barrington, said, "The decision has not been made yet" about whether to alter the Rite of Peace or Holy Communion, but it is under consideration as the parish monitors how quickly and viciously the flu continues to spread.