Schools and hospitals aren't the only places abuzz with anticipation of an H1N1 outbreak.
Area churches are taking precautions against spreading germs between parishioners by doing things like offering hand sanitizers and discouraging people from hugging or shaking hands.
The Rev. Tony Wroblewski, pastor of St. Francis, St. Andrews and St. Mathias Catholic Churches, said last week the Diocese of Duluth gave instructions to its churches in hope of minimizing the potential spread of flu viruses. Wroblewski said he made an announcement during last week's church services of the precautions offered by the diocese.
The churches no longer offer the common chalice - where everyone drinks from the same cup - during Communion and they don't hold hands during the Lord's Prayer or shake hands to "share the peace" like they used to.
Heather and Tim Bowman reached out and shook hands with others during the Wednesday night service at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Baxter. In light of the precautions taken by area churches for the flu, parishioners were given the option of not joining hands during the Lord's Prayer. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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"We're encouraging people as we share the peace, to share it verbally and not shake hands," said the Rev. Bruce Hannem of Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa.
In the past Hannem said he can't remember taking precautions like this in order to prevent the spread of illness in his church.
"Medical people in our congregation are telling us to prepare and we're taking it seriously," he said.
Children's workers in the church's classrooms are constantly wiping things down with disinfectants, especially in rooms with small children.
People ages 6 months to 24 years and caregivers and parents of infants 6 months and younger are among those considered high-risk for getting H1N1.
The Rev. Mark Whittemore of Pequot Lakes Baptist Church said he's been encouraging parents to get themselves and their children vaccinated.
Following advice from the church's parish nurse and other nurses in the congregation, hand-sanitizing stations have been installed around the church.
"People are talking about (H1N1)," he said. "They're not overly worried, but they're careful."
After visiting people in hospitals three times this week, Whittemore said he's also being extra cautious and using a lot of hand sanitizer this flu season.
Communion servers at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Baxter have also been using hand sanitizer to help prevent germ spreading, but the Rev. Darrell Pedersen isn't too concerned about taking further precautions, yet.
"We're going one day at a time and if it seems like there's an outbreak in the community, we'll take a more concerted action."
HEIDI LAKE may be reached at heidi.lake@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5879.
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