Going to church with the flu would be wrong, right?

[Terabith]

I really wish I could go to mass. Feel so tearful about being able to. But I know I couldn't handle it physically. And contagion. But I wanna!

[Ethel Mertz]

You can't go. You don't want to infect someone whose health is fragile (elderly, infants, folks on chemo, etc.). Stay home and take care of yourself. Hopefully, you'll be able to go for 4th Advent. :grouphug:

[Guest]

Don't go! Thinking of it as saving the old people and babies from something that could put them in grave danger.

[QueenCat]

Yes, it would be wrong.

[El...]

That would be very unkind.  You are sick!  Stay home!  Won't somebody from the church come pray with you if you call and ask (and use hand sanitizer on their way out)?  And you can watch mass online for sure.  I know that won't be the same, but you have been so, so sick.

 

Take care of yourself, hon.

[Cecropia]

I know the feeling, but don't go.  Your situation calls for Spiritual Communion.

[Butter]

When it comes to germs, sharing is not caring.  Plus, never mind infecting other people.  You really need rest yourself.

[Bambam]

Please don't go anywhere when you have anything contagious. You can go to the doctor and the hospital and the grocery store to get essentials if you have no one else to go.

 

Because you are showing consideration to the rest of us - the ones with normal immune systems and the ones with compromised immune systems. 

 

Please just stay home and rest on your way to getting better!

[Terabith]

Yeah. I know I can't. I'm just feeling sad. Which could be from the flu, or the severe depression, or being taken off antidepressant cold turkey. I just want my priest!

[KarenNC]

I sympathize. I've been stuck at home with a nasty cold since Wednesday missing numerous activities, including an important congregational meeting calling for a vote and a farewell party for our minister. Better to rest and "do unto others...."  I hope you feel better soon!

[zoobie]

Yeah. I know I can't. I'm just feeling sad. Which could be from the flu, or the severe depression, or being taken off antidepressant cold turkey. I just want my priest!

Do you have the flu or a reaction from med withdrawal? I hope you feel better soon. :grouphug:

[theelfqueen]

You can call and ask that communion be brought to you when you're ill, I believe.

 

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[Terabith]

They think it is a flu like illness. I was negative for flu, but I wasn't swabbed until seven days after symptoms started, so they aren't confident about it not being flu.

 

I was on two meds that were high risk for severe, potentially fatal med reaction. And no definitive test for it and a lot of same symptoms as flu, so on the off chance, they took me off a med. But odds are 99% that it is flu like virus.

[Princess Ariel]

Please don't go!  It's not just babies and elderly.  I know perfectly normal looking people of all ages who can't risk the flu and for various reasons cannot handle a flu shot.  I know the desire but that is enough for God today.  Thanks for staying home!  Get well soon!

[kiana]

Does your church stream? Can you send someone to stream it for you so that you can at least listen live? I like the FaceTime suggestion, and would there be any way that they could get the priest to come aside to chat with you over that if they waited until after the service? Or would he be willing to talk to you over a phone? 

[OneStepAtATime]

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:

 

I agree, don't go.  See if they can come to you in some way, as mentioned up thread.  So sorry, Terabith.  Wish I could be there to bring you food and keep you company.

[J-rap]

Make yourself a cup of hot tea and watch a service online.  Even if your church doesn't have that option, there are many churches that do!  Watch one you don't usually watch, in another city, that you've always been interested in.  That's what we do.  There is a pastor (in another city) who has authored lots of books that we really love.  When we don't go to church, we watch one of his sermons online.

[AnnE-girl]

Relevant Radio has a live radio broadcast that believe you can listen to anytime online. The homilies are usually very good too.

[Spryte]

Going anywhere with the flu, aside from the doc and the pharmacy or maybe the grocery store for needed items feels wrong

 

Immune compromised people are everywhere. People like my son, or me, can die from flu complications. And even people who are not compromised don't want the flu! Lost work, income, school. Yuck.

 

Stop the spread. Let those germs die with you, and not replicate and move on to another.

 

I hope you feel better.

 

Is there an option for mass on tv?

[Terabith]

I won't really go anywhere. I know it would be wrong, and besides, I'm really too sick to manage it physically anyway. We don't have tv. I may just email my pastor.

[catz]

With the real influenza with a fever?  Definitely do not go! 

 

I think it's hard to be a shut in all winter with dry weather upper respitory, no fever stuff but anything with a fever is definitely STAY HOME. 

[UCF612]

I have a cold with a bad cough and I stayed home today. We have far too many elderly people in our church and I don't want to be the reason for them getting sick at all.

[Guest]

I'm home from church today too. Woke up at 4:something this morning with a crushing migraine. I hate missing church, but sometimes it's inevitable.

[Lanny]

You should stay home. Get well soon!

[lexi]

Please don't go. We had some people come to church right before Thanksgiving. They were sick. My family got sick right around Thanksgiving. We're still feeling the effects of it. I had to miss several weeks of church being sick myself or with sick kiddos. I hated missing church and different events but I didn't want to share the germs. But it's hard to miss church. I don't enjoy being stuck at home.

[happypamama]

Mild cold? I might not go to a crowded busy church, or to nonessential places, but groceries, doctor, important errands, even taking kids to their activities if they aren't sick -- I'd maybe do those.

 

Flu or fever or heavy coughing (aside from the tail end of cold sort of coughing)? Absolute essentials only. And not church. Too much close contact. Too wide a population.

 

I'm sorry you're sick, and I hope you feel better soon!

[Terabith]

This is fever and chills for a week, exhaustion, major weakness, throbbing headache, sore throat, body aches, skin and hair hurt.

[monstermama]

Not the same thing, but there are several sites you could watch Mass online, like here.  Could your priest come visit you today or tomorrow, or maybe just give you a call?

[Terabith]

Maybe. I sent him an email. We will see. I don't want to contaminate him either though.

[DawnM]

I would be very upset if someone came to church sick.

 

My DH is sick and called in sick. He teaches Sunday School. This is his 5th day of being really sick. I cannot afford to take off 5 days of work. It is not a monetary thing, it is just that I started this job in August and want to not take time off yet as I feel I am still so new.

[Liz CA]

Can you find a service that is streamed? I know it's not the same but perhaps better than nothing.

[ktgrok]

I really wish I could go to mass. Feel so tearful about being able to. But I know I couldn't handle it physically. And contagion. But I wanna!

 

Nope, sorry. Going would be sinful, to knowingly expose others. I know that's a hard things. Hugs. 

[scrapbookbuzz]

When it comes to germs, sharing is not caring.  Plus, never mind infecting other people.  You really need rest yourself.

THIS! And really, Jesus WILL understand. I do understand your want to go but it truly is of benefit to NO ONE if you do. Besides, if you've invited Him into your heart, He's with you 100% of the time anyway, so talk with Him, one on one. Brew a special cup of tea or another special drink. Take a moment or two of quiet reflection with Him. THAT is what it's all about. He's willing to meet you anywhere. And the bonus is you can't get HIM sick! B-)

Edited December 11, 2016 by scrapbookbuzz

[cintinative]

Don't go, but do set aside some quiet time at home to sing and read your Bible. You will be blessed! I hope you feel better very soon.

[ktgrok]

I'd ask to have communion brought to you,and provide a mask for the person that comes in, and hand sanitizer. 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Nooo

 

Maybe you can find something on TV or the Internet?  Surely there must be something like that out there.

Feel better.

 

 

[G5052]

Please stay home.

 

For years DH was immune-compromised because of ongoing treatments. And we'd go to church and cringe when ever we saw or heard someone that was sick. It was so bad with certain families who felt they had to be there that DH would drive himself, arrive late to sit with us, and then scoot out the back close to the end. 

 

During that period, colds always went into severe bronchitis.

 

Now he's not on that protocol, but he had surgery in November and more in January. He's just staying home all winter. He's too frail to take a chance. 

[MercyA]

I know you're not going, Terabith, but I just wanted to encourage you that you are doing the right thing. We've missed lessons, a baby shower, a family reunion, and church this week. I'm almost positive it's because someone came to an event when they were very ill last week.  :mad:

 

Hope you feel better soon. :grouphug:

[trulycrabby]

I'm sorry, and hope you feel better very soon! :grouphug:

[JFSinIL]

Poor baby! Please stay home, though. Perhaps your church could do a home visit?

[ktgrok]

Now that I think about it, given all you are going through, perhaps request the anointing of the sick?

[Terabith]

He anointed me when I was in the hospital for depression.

[heartlikealion]

You can call and ask that communion be brought to you when you're ill, I believe.

 

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I wouldn't call, though, because then the person bringing Communion might get ill.

 

OP, it's okay. Don't feel badly. I've missed Mass before because of other people here being sick (like I had to care for them or watch the kids because dh was sick) and I hated it.

 

[Caclcoca]

I am sorry that you couldn't go to Mass today, and I hope that you are feeling better soon.

[Frances]

I'm sorry you're not feeling well. My mom frequently has to watch mass on TV instead of attending. Since it sounds like your priest is a comfort to you, could you call and talk to him on the phone?

[AimeeM]

I just wanted to come in to give virtual hugs and reassure you that you're doing the right thing by not going.

We missed Mass, too, because DS4's meltdowns were reaching epic-style and there is no safe way to get him out of the church quickly when he's having a bad day, considering the way he flails and lashes out.

 

ETA: I know someone upthread mentioned sending your spouse. Please, y'all, don't. If anyone in your house has anything suspect to the flu, just stay home. Everyone. 

[4everHis]

Hhhmmmm. NO! Although someone brought their 2 yr old to church yesterday being pretty positive the child has hand, foot and mouth. They didn't let kid in nursery but still!!! Stay home.

 

btw. Sorry you're sick.  :(

 

Edited December 12, 2016 by connib

[momee]

I am a greeter at our church and you wouldn't believe the amount of admissions by people saying they don't want to shake my hand because they're very sick -

 or

they do shake my hand and tell me how they'e been dealing with intestinal and breathing illnesses and are probably contagious.

 

It's something I am very cautious of and wash diligently and try never put my hands or any food in my mouth at church.

 

I'm astounded at people in this regard.  I find it selfish and inconsiderate, but it happens everywhere - stores, co-ops, parties, etc.

 

We love them anyway but goodness, common sense is lacking regarding this issue.