A medical expert proposed Tuesday, Feb. 16, Â a guideline on how to safely celebrate Ash Wednesday.

In a tweet, Dr. Winlove Mojica, a board-certified dermatologist, suggested to just put the ashes in a paper envelope instead of applying them directly on one's forehead.
"Put the ash in a small paper envelope (not plastic) and allow the person to put the ash on his/her forehead," Mojica wrote.
He also reminded Catholics priests to sanitize hands first before giving out the ash.
"Or maybe people will get scared with the UK variant and not go? No. From experience we really can't stop these traditions," Mojica added.
In January, the Vatican asked to just sprinkle the ashes on top of people's heads rather than applying them directly to the forehead.