State of Ohio now requiring masks in church
Very recently (and with almost no advance notice), Gov. DeWine ordered facial coverings (masks covering the mouth and nose) to be worn for all indoor events in certain counties where the infection rate for Covid-19 is growing. Yesterday, he added Clermont County to that list, for a total of 12 counties as of this writing. The Archdiocese is informing us that this edict applies to religious activities as well. That means that all those attending Mass at St. Mary or St. Peter will now be required by the State, not just encouraged, to wear masks. Similarly, this edict applies to all indoor parish meetings. There is an exception for those with health issues where breathing is made difficult by wearing of a mask (such as asthmatics). Also, there is an exemption for priests celebrating Mass and those leading a religious service. The Archbishop is currently directing that his priests must wear a mask while distributing Holy Communion, so I will do that as lo...