This is memo that I received from Bishop Howe, which copies a memo that he recieved from the Rev. Marshall Scott, one of our St. Luke’s chaplains. It talks about a few resources available for more information about Swine Flu. The most important thing to remember is that Swine Flu is prevented just like any other flu (Fr. Scott has a reminder at the bottom of his memo), and that there is no reason to panic about this. Here are the memos:
Â
Clergy of the Diocese,
Please find below a memo from Marshall Scott which I believe should be shared among our clergy as soon as possible.
Please be aware that as of today there is a link on our website (
www.episcopalwestmo.org) to an article from ENS regarding the H1N1 (Swine) Flu as well.
Â
BRH+
|
From: Scott, Marshall
To: bphowe@earthlink.net
Sent: 5/1/2009 3:25:46 PM
Subject: Swine Flu
Â
Barry:
I prepared this, and now have approval from PR and from appropriate folks in the System, including John Pumphrey, to release this to community clergy. I thought you might also want it to release to our diocese, and perhaps to share with Kansas.
Â
Marshall
Â
Text:
Â
There is a lot of concern about the new H1N1 (Swine) flu, and how that might affect congregations. A number of our denominations have circulated information, but I thought I would share some resources with you.
Â
First, from the Saint Luke’s Health System web site you can link to good general information about the flu and about numbers from the CDC and other sources. Note that this is not information from the health system, but good resources that we’re using and can commend to others. The specific page on our web site is http://www.saintlukeshealthsystem.org/slhs/system/health_resource_center/swine_influenza_information.htm.
Â
Episcopal Café, a web site of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington (D.C.) has a page with useful links, some of which address specifically how churches are addressing communion. You can find that at http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/health_and_wellness/what_to_do_about_the_flu.html.
Â
Remember that the most important steps to take are things we already know:
- Wash hands early and often, and use appropriate sanitizers.
- If you feel sick, stay home as an act of grace to others.
- If you have a family member sick, keep that person home for the same reason.
- Use discretion especially if you’ve recently been in Mexico, or have been with someone known to have this flu.
- Follow guidelines from the CDC and the State Department about travel to Mexico.
- Get your information from trustworthy sources: the CDC, local public health, or your health care provider.
Â
Marshall Scott
Chaplain
Saint Luke’s South Hospital
Overland Park, Kansas
|