<div dir='auto'>That sounds like a good plan to start. I will need to get a singer's mask.<div dir="auto">Tamara</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Aug 20, 2021 9:18 AM, Sue Stukey via Choir <choir@unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> wrote:<br type="attribution" /><blockquote class="quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">Hi, all,<div>This plan seems as safe as it can be and I'd have no qualms about singing with you all.</div><div>(are the masks in yet?)</div><div>Cheers,</div><div>Sue</div></div><br /><div class="elided-text"><div dir="ltr">On Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 9:10 AM Donia Prince via Choir <<a href="mailto:choir@unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org">choir@unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org</a>> wrote:<br /></div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb( 204 , 204 , 204 );padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">Hi,<br /><div><br /></div><div>As we get closer to getting the blessing to hold indoor choir rehearsals, the question has come up from the covid task force of "how safe do choir members feel singing with these guidelines?"</div><div>If you think you might participate in choir this fall, could you review this and then answer that question? Just reply to me, for confidentiality and so that no one is influenced by anyone else's response.</div><div><br /></div><div><font size="4">Here are the guidelines </font>that have been put out by the group that has been doing the research that is that standard for performing arts organizations:</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:'calibri' , sans-serif">-Sing with well-fitting masks</p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:'calibri' , sans-serif">-Keep 6 ft distance</p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:'calibri' , sans-serif">-Rehearse in well-ventilated spaces. Outdoors is best, established HVAC systems
next, with air exchange rate of 5 ACH or better. </p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:'calibri' , sans-serif">-Rehearse indoors for no longer than 30 minutes before
allowing for a complete air exchange. Outdoors,
60 minute limit.</p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:'calibri' , sans-serif"> </p><p style="margin:0in;font-family:'calibri' , sans-serif">Here is the link to that organization's home page, where you learn more about all of this if you wish. You might want to look at the short video titled "Covid mitigation strategies for choir" which you can find on that page. <a href="https://www.nfhs.org/articles/unprecedented-international-coalition-led-by-performing-arts-organizations-to-commission-covid-19-study/">https://www.nfhs.org/articles/unprecedented-international-coalition-led-by-performing-arts-organizations-to-commission-covid-19-study/</a></p></div><div><br /></div><div><font size="4">Here is the plan I have proposed:</font></div><div><br /></div><div>--<font size="4">Meeting at the large space at the North Branch Nature center.</font></div><div><font size="4">They have a new, state of the art HVAC system with an air exchange rate of 9 ACH. (meaning the air is replaced inside 9 times per hour). We can also open windows.<br /></font></div><div><font size="4">--I measured, and we can fit 25 people singing in there at 6 ft distance. We will be careful about this.</font></div><div><font size="4">--Sing with the singer's masks, or ones with equal coverage.</font></div><div><font size="4">--We will sing in 3 --1/2 hour segments, with 10 minute breaks out of the room in-between, in order for a complete air exchange to happen. (Total of 2 hours together, 1 -1/2 hours singing)</font></div><div><font size="4">--At the end of each 1/2 hour segment, we could take masks off for 5 or 10 minutes to sing maskless. In that amount of time, any aerosols that escape won't have the time to spread, nor would there be long enough exposure to be problematic. We can adjust this according to current conditions and people's comfort level.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">So, how safe do you feel singing with these guidelines? Thank you for answering!</font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Donia</font></div><div><br /></div></div>
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