Responding to a flu pandemic

Worrying news from Mexico: the long feared influenza pandemic may be on its way. In recent years I've been professionally involved in planning the response to a flu pandemic. I won't go into details here as there will be lots of official information released as the various alert stages are reached.

One aspect of this that ought to be considered is how the churches would cope. The strain reported from Mexico appears to be hitting the 25-45 year old age group hardest. The 1918 pandemic had a similar profile mainly because, some research now suggests, that it was lethal to people in the very early stages of tuberculosis.

For many of us a flu pandemic would simply be seven to ten uncomfortable days away from work. For the very poor and those suffering ill-health the outcome would not be so benign.

Early on churches will have to decide whether it is safe to continue meeting. It may be that we stagger services, no more than twenty at a time over several hours rather than one big service. Alternatively electronic communication could come into its own - Facebook pages, telephone prayer trees, and even conference calls, could be an important form of prayer support. It is possible to sing during a conference call!

Whatever happens the churches should continue functioning. The pandemic will be a time of great need both within the congregation, in each neighbourhood and especially in many developing countries.

Those who catch the infection in the early stages and survive, will be especially useful as they will have immunity from further infection and able to carry on the work of the church. But don't court infection, in its earliest stages it will be at its most deadly.

Basic hygiene such as hand washing would be essential. We will have to ban hand shakes as a way of welcoming people, thanking the preacher and during the peace.

In each locality there will be a greater demand on clergy and preachers to bury the dead. Clusters of churches will need to develop networks that will enable mutual aid so that clergy will be able to mix and match depending on their health.

The real challenge will be to provide pastoral support for the ill and bereaved at a time when resources will be at full stretch. Those who live alone will be especially in need of support. Churches will be the ideally placed to provide volunteers to pick up the anti-viral drugs for those who are housebound.

It is something to think about and I would suggest that once the WHO and Department of Health announce that a pandemic is imminent each church and denomination ought to consider their response.

As well as being a curse - some countries will collapse under the pressure - it could be a wonderful opportunity for churches to demonstrate God's love. But let's pray that it doesn't come to that.

UpdateIn view of the interest in this subject demonstrated by search engine referrals I have written an expanded post and a simple checklist. None of these items constitute official advice

Update 01/05/09: The British Methodist Church has now issued its own official advice on how churches should respond to swine flu