Expensive Dr. Roach: A number of completely different religions use a single cup throughout communion that’s shared by the members of the congregation. The cup is simply evenly wiped off between every individual’s communion. Isn’t this an nearly sure strategy to unfold germs, particularly in the course of the chilly and flu season? I’m shocked that this observe remains to be used. — S.J.

Expensive Dr. Roach: A number of completely different religions use a single cup throughout communion that’s shared by the members of the congregation. The cup is simply evenly wiped off between every individual’s communion. Isn’t this an nearly sure strategy to unfold germs, particularly in the course of the chilly and flu season? I’m shocked that this observe remains to be used. — S.J.

Reply: The obtainable information counsel that the chance of buying an infection from a shared communion cup may be very low. Wiping a silver chalice with a linen fabric decreased the bacterial rely on the cup between every individual by 90%. Viral infections usually tend to be unfold through respiratory droplets from sitting subsequent to somebody than by sharing a communion dish.

Present restrictions put in place particularly to sluggish the unfold of coronavirus have successfully suspended church providers in most international locations. Many are live-streaming their Plenty, and the Catholic Church, for one, has inspired “non secular Communion” till a return to secure in-person service is feasible.

Readers might e-mail inquiries to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or ship mail to 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.