DISTRIBUTION OF ASHES IN TIME OF PANDEMIC
The Priest says the prayer for blessing the ashes. He sprinkles the ashes with holy water, without saying anything.  Then he addresses all those present and only once says the formula as it appears in the Roman Missal, applying it to all in general: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”.

The Priest then cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask and distributes the ashes to those who come to him.  The Priest takes the ashes and sprinkles them on the head of each one without saying anything.

WHY ARE WE NOT MARKING THE FOREHEAD WITH ASHES THIS YEAR?
During this time of pandemic, the Holy See has modified the method of distributing the ashes.  These changes minimize the necessity of physical contact between minister and recipient and remove the need for the minister to speak while in close proximity to the recipient.

The distribution of ashes via sprinkling is a common practice in some countries but is not well known here. 

Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, but is a day of fasting and abstinence—1 full (ages 18-59) meatless (over 14) and 2 small meals; no snacks.