Communion by Hand was Ordered by Manila Archdiocese to Prevent Spread of H1N1 Virus

Here is a very interesting news item from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines:

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales ordered his priests to take precautionary measures to avoid the spread of the virus. Fr Genardo Diwa, head of the Liturgical ministry of the Manila archdiocese, said the advisory was sent to all parish priests on Friday. “In view of detected presence of the A(H1N1) virus in our country, Cardinal Rosales has ordered that for the meantime Communion be received by the faithful only by hand,” Diwa said. The priest also said that other forms of close contacts like holding of hands will be discouraged inside churches.

The full text of this quoted material can be read from CBCP News .

I am a bit hesitant to comment on this. But I do not know how this will affect the communities celebrating the Extra Ordinary Form. I still don't know how the virus could be spread by communion on the tongue. Unless perhaps the priest would touch the tongue. And I don't think that a well experienced priest would ever touch the tongue of any communicant. For the meantime let us pray that this dreaded virus will not spread and that a calamity can be averted. Perhaps the Archdiocese should compose a prayer for deliverance or perhaps sponsor some forms of liturgical and para liturgical activities that would express atonement and penance.