Even God Fears Swine

This morning greeted us with heavy showers. Since the list of accomplishments for today consisted mainly of indoor activities; the rain was welcomed.

Potter and I headed over to 9:30 mass. The church was crowed as usual. Today I would rather have stayed under the covers and enjoyed a day of relaxation. I then popped back into reality realizing that having kids in no shape or form equates to relaxation.

Catholic mass began as usual with a woman making announcements about the latest church functions, choir sign-ups, money collected and needed and so forth. Oddly enough it didn't end there. She began speaking about the spread of Swine Flu and the part that the church would be playing today. She asked that during the Sign of Peace if instead of people extending their hands to one another, maybe they can give a nod.

Really, I thought. No Sign of Peace? Has it really gotten that bad?

I've watched the news like everyone else this past week. I've seen the headlines and statistics, and frankly I'm not so sure what to make of it. I've done what I've always done: wash my hands, cover my mouth when sneezing and coughing, stay home when I'm sick and keep my kids out of school when they are sick. If only everyone else followed the rules.

I'm in awe at the number of schools that have remained open while possible cases of Swine were waiting to be confirmed. Had they been more cautious, could we have prevented our current crisis.

The media has had a field day with this topic. In their effort to keep us informed, they have made sure to cover 20 minutes out of their half hour time slots with Swine Flu updates. All the while reminding us of CDC and presidential news conferences and of course the ever informing ticker at the bottom of the screen.

While some people are in complete panic, others still refuse to follow the basic rules. As a mother, I felt responsible to sit down with my children and explain (as well as I could to a 4 and 5 year old) the seriousness of this illness. I reminded them to mind their manners and turn their heads when coughing and sneezing and to use soap when washing their hands. Beyond that, there's not much more I can do.

As I continue to hear about schools that are refusing to shut down, companies that continue to run, and children and adults who continue to show up for work and school even when they know they should be home in bed; today I felt safe. Hats off to a church that decided to give people a place to worship while at the same time reminding them of their personal responsibility.