I don't know exactly what Fr. Ripperger said so I can't comment. You are correct in saying that "laypeople cannot confer blessings" as in the sacrament celebration. See Louis IX comment above. The word confer is typically used in the liturgy to refer to the efficacious grace in the sacramental worldviews. For example, Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Order confer a permanent sacramental character illustrated by the seal of sacred chrism. One can only receive this special character once. Saying the prayer of St. Blaise for his intercession is not the same as conferring grace/blessing because it is not similar. The words in the prayer itself is explaining that ordained or not ordained minister is asking God for delivery from sickness. You can asked to pray for again, and again...

So the ritual includes the blessings of the candle by the priest. Then afterward, the following is said to the people:

By the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every malady of the throat, and from every possible mishap; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. (R. Amen)

This part of the ritual can be done by the laity without the sign of the cross.

Blessing of Throats

May I propose to rethink this? For one, all blessings come from Divine source, not human nor the ordained minister. God works through them as instruments. Secondly, this blessing is not part of any liturgy that can be found in the GIRM or Roman Missal. It is religious custom. With that being said, it is fine to have the lay person using the prayer of St. Blaise to ask for God's blessing. After all, through our Baptismal vocation, praying for people is part of the priestly vocation.

I'm just going by the Church's G.I.R.M. Please point me to where it says that "female should not be on the altar precinct during Mass"? If Mary, and other Mary's were at the foot of the Cross with Christ and the Mass is the representation of Christ sacrifice on Calvary, then why shouldn't women be near the altar? I said this not because I am pushing for feminism or anything. I'm just trying to understand why.

To be fair, the lady was preparing the gifts and the altar. This task can be done by a deacon, acolyte or in the absence of deacon/acolyte, a lay-person can assist at the altar. She did not do the prayer over the offering, designated to the main celebrant. What I don't understand is that there are 2 concelebrants. One of them should have assisted the bishop in preparing the gifts because the priest was ordained a deacon first. Once a deacon, you're always a deacon or a servant.