"Those who are sick may wish to watch the Sunday TV Mass on their television at home and pray in solidarity with their parish community, " the statement said.

CNN: Flu cases down in some areas; child deaths up

According to a Kronos Workforce Institute survey (conducted by Harris Interactive) of almost 1, 200 US employees, 11% of U.S. workers have called in sick to work when not actually sick in order to attend or watch a sporting event.

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Ms Hughes declared that it was "unspeakably sick", but had not seen it - and refused to watch it.

BBC: Beverley Hughes

We eat the wrong stuff, drink too much, and merrily watch TV on the couch, until we get sick, and then we go to the doctor (or too often the E-room) to get fixed.

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