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St. Cloud Bishop Says No Shaking Hands In Church

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May 2, 2009 9:57 am US/Central

St. Cloud Bishop Says No Shaking Hands In Church

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) ― Churches are taking steps to limit the spread of germs amid fears about swine flu, also known as H1N1 virus.

The bishop of the 16-county Diocese of Saint Cloud sent a letter to pastors and other religious leaders Friday, saying parishioners should not shake or hold hands during worship.

The Most Rev. John Kinney also has told pastors to use discretion in offering Communion.

Kinney's letter also suggests churches provide hand sanitizer and tissues for worshippers and reminds church leaders to follow precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The St. Cloud diocese includes 135 parishes in central Minnesota.

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The MDH recommends several common-sense practices to avoid the flu. Stay home if you are sick, cover your cough, wash hands frequently and minimize contact with people you think might be sick.

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