Diocesan Pandemic Policy and Resources
 
POLICY: Policies Relating to Planning for Seasonal & Pandemic Influenza (and other Infectious Disease Outbreaks) - Revised and Renamed 03/04/20
>Currently at policy "Step 3" with aspects of "Step 4"

Re-Opening Churches in the Diocese of Davenport

Three Steps for Opening Churches
>Currently at "Step One" in reopening

Opening Churches - General Principles for Parish Staff
>Spanish version (en español) 

Additional Details for the Celebration of the Sacraments

FULL POLICY: Re-Opening Churches in the Diocese of Davenport (corrected 6/3/20)
-Sample Signs in English
-Sample Signs in Spanish
-Sample Signs in Vietnamese
-HVAC information   

Dispensation from Sunday and Holy Day Mass
 
(1) All Catholics in the Diocese of Davenport are dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

(2) Regarding the “Easter Duty"
Canon 920 reads: "§1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year. §2. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at some other time during the year." There is no way to fulfill the obligation in the current set of circumstances; therfore the obligation does not bind until it can again be fulfilled.

Please see our PRAYER and SUPPORT webpage.

Diocesan Resources:

See our Q&A page for answers to questions we're being asked....

Appendices from Flu Policy (in MS Word)
>Appendix I: Signage (English) (Español) (Vietnamese)
>Appendix J: Bulletin Inserts (English) (Español) (Vietnamese)
>Appendix K: Praying at Home on Sundays
>Appendix K: Rites for Use in an Emergency

Resources for Children & Families / Faith Formation at Home
>At Home Resources
>Faith Formation and Children
>Faith Formation and Families

Resources for Re-Opening Churches
>HVAC information
>Sample Signs
-Sample Signs in English
-Sample Signs in Spanish
-Sample Signs in Viernamese

EFFECTIVE 5/25/20: CHURCH BUILDINGS MAY RE-OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER

Press Release
>Spanish version (en español) 

Church buildings may re-open for private prayer if a process of regular cleaning and disinfection can be maintained. Since the number of new COVID-19 cases, deaths, hospitalizations, and percentage of positive tests has begun to trend down, parishes may open their churches for private prayer, beginning the week of May 25, at the discretion of the pastor. Everyone must wear face protection. No more than ten people may be in the church at any one time. There is no public celebration of the Mass. The celebration outside of Mass of Baptisms, weddings, and funerals can include up to ten people. Adoration chapels remain closed.

EFFECTIVE 4/2/20: CHURCH BUILDINGS TO BE CLOSED

As the number of people with COVID-19 continues to rapidly rise in Iowa, we need to do more to help people maintain safe distancing recommendations to slow the spread of the virus.  All church buildings in the Diocese are to be closed to public access as soon as possible and no later than 8am Monday morning.  Parish offices may remain open as determined by the pastor or parish life coordinator.  Baptisms, weddings and funerals, all outside of Mass, can continue with the minimum number of people involved: child to be baptized, parents, Godparents and cleric for baptism; bride, groom, 2 witnesses and cleric for weddings; and no more than 10 gathered for funerals.  For the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, call a priest in advance to arrange a time and place to meet that offers safe distancing.

EFFECTIVE 3/17/20
 
We do not take the following steps lightly, especially the cancellation of almost all public worship within the diocese. The sacraments, and especially the Eucharist, lie at the heart of who we are as Catholics. But the common good calls us to make this sacrifice. It is clear from accounts from around the world that urgent action is needed if we are to avoid overwhelming our health care system. Our prayer is that this form of Lenten fasting will put us in deeper solidarity with those going with so much less, with those who will be—and are being—severely affected by this outbreak.
 
It is impossible to foresee how long these restrictions will be in place. The CDC recently recommended that large group gatherings be suspended for at least the next eight weeks. Governor Reynolds has ordered that no meeting of more than 10 people take place; this order is in effect until March 31. 
 
This is a list of the key changes being made to church life, until further notice:  

• All public celebrations of the Mass (and all other public liturgies or devotions) are to be cancelled.
  • Baptisms, weddings, and funerals may be celebrated with immediate family members only.
  • Individual Confession and Anointing of the Sick may be celebrated.
• All Catholics in the Diocese of Davenport are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
• If you are sick, or if you are caring for someone who is sick, please stay home.
  • Those who are 60 years of age or older, and those with underlying health conditions, should stay at home and avoid all gatherings or other situations of potential exposure.
• All large group meetings, conferences, retreats and the like in the diocese are to be cancelled.
• All faith formation classes and activities are to be cancelled (use electronic formats if possible).
• Small office meetings may take place if essential, but it is preferable to meet electronically.
  • Encourage staff, especially those at risk for severe illness, to telework (when feasible).
  • Limit non-essential work travel.
• All Catholic schools will be closed, at least until April 13. All extracurricular events are to be cancelled.
  • Further guidance will be forthcoming from the Office of the Superintendent.

The CDC does not recommend face masks for general use. Those who show symptoms of COVID-19 should wear a mask to protect others. Those caring for folks with the illness should also wear them. Most importantly, the usual ways to prevent viral infections like the flu and COVID-19 should be stressed:

• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water (or an alcohol-based gel)
• Avoiding close contact with those who are sick (and if you’re sick, seek care and stay away from others; it is good to remember that illness dispenses from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass)
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; use a tissue and throw it away right away—and wash your hands; if you don’t have a tissue, use the crook of your elbow
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces by using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. Please check here regularly for updates. 

LINKS:
With information changing so quickly, only the homepages of these agencies are given here. Click on the links to find specific information regarding such issues as travel, home isolation, and advice for homes, schools, and places of work.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 

Iowa COVID-19 Website

Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH)
>Resources in languages other than English

Illinois DPH

CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy)

World Health Organization (WHO)
 

While our attention is on COVID-19, we need to remember that we are still in flu season!

If there is good news here, it is that the interventions that we are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will also help prevent the spreading of the flu.

Check out the CDC webpage on preventing the flu!

GENERAL RESOURCES:

• CDC Influenza Homepage
• "Take 3" Brochure
• Seasonal Flu Q&A
• Print Materials from CDC 
  - general information, specific advice for high-risk groups, resources in Spanish and other languages
• Facts about Influenza

>Getting Ready
     -individuals and households
     -educational settings
     -workplaces
     -event planners
     -faith-based / community organizations
     -health communicators

>Checklists
     -workplaces
     -K-12 schools
     -childcare programs
     -event planners

FOR HOME & CHILD CARE CENTERS:

• Get Your Household Ready for Pandemic Flu (CDC)

• Child Care & Preschool Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist - from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

• Recommendations for Child Care Facilities - from the Iowa Department of Public Health

• Information for Schools and Childcare Providers (CDC)

• Flu Information for Parents

• Caring for Someone Sick at Home

• Kid's Guide to Handwashing (Univ. of Arizona College of Public Health)

FOR PARISHES

• Get Your Community- and Faith-Based Organizations Ready for Pandemic Flu

• Get Your School Ready for Pandemic Flu

• Dealing with Ill Students

• Flu and Schools - from the Iowa Department of Public Health

• Information for Schools and Childcare Providers (CDC)
  • Guidance for School Adminsitrators
  • Cleaning and Disinfecting Schools

• Flu Information for Parents (CDC)

• Kid's Guide to Handwashing (Univ. of Arizona College of Public Health)

• US Department of Education
  >Crisis planning (webpage) (PDF)

• Get Your Workplace Ready for Pandemic Flu

• Flu and the Workplace - from the Iowa Department of Public Health

• Flu Information for Workplaces - from the CDC

• Colleges & Universities Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist - from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (archived)