Swine flu and the Eucharist

Bishop Rickel sent some information today about the swine flu outbreak that is making the news. He included a report from the Diocese of Toronto in the Anglican Church of Canada that makes a few good points about the Eucharist:

• Sharing wine in a common cup is an element of our tradition that is central to our liturgy
• We can't eliminate risk in any public setting
• Ministers at the altar should sanitize their hands before administration of the sacrament
  
• Care can be exercised by the Eucharistic Minister by wiping the outside of the cup after every communicant and changing purificators
  
• Some people may choose to receive the bread but not the chalice
• Intinction (dipping the bread into the wine) should be avoided

I'm sure we'll all do our part to make sure we're following best practices.