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So sorry to hear that, Amy! Sending good thoughts Ted’s way.
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<div>I hope the chorus of Coviders all feel back in fine voice and fine health soon!
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<div>And thank you, Donia, for steering the ship so well!</div>
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<div>Maryann<br>
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<blockquote type="cite">On Jan 3, 2023, at 7:29 AM, Amy Cavanagh via Choir <choir@unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> wrote:<br>
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<div dir="auto">My husband just tested positive—that was my biggest fear. Please send healing thoughts Ted’s way everyone.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Amy</div>
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<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Jan 2, 2023 at 2:50 PM Donia Prince via Choir <<a href="mailto:choir@unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org">choir@unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org</a>> wrote:<br>
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<div dir="ltr">Hi everyone,
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<div>I know we are all rightly unsettled by this small covid outbreak among us--concerned for those who have contracted it and wondering what it means for us going forward. I'll offer my overall point of view, which is generally shared by the church leadership,
put out my thoughts about how we might proceed in the coming weeks, and finally reiterate choir covid policies. </div>
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<div>There are those who feel that covid should now be treated like the flu, with variants getting less severe, effective medications available, and some level of societal immunity through vaccines and exposure. While it seems to be headed in that direction,
most of the scientific and medical community doesn't feel we are there quite yet. This is in part because there is too much we still don't understand, eg about long covid. So some continued extra caution is called for. Caution, but not alarm. </div>
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<div>Hopefully we have reached the limit of this outbreak. But we won't know for sure for another few days or a week, in case someone at our Thursday gathering had covid and was asymptomatic. This is definitely possible, since this outbreak likely resulted
from one or two sources who were not only asymptomatic but had also tested negative that day. There is also a general post-holiday surge going on.</div>
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<div><b><font size="4">Going Forward</font></b></div>
<div><font size="4">To give everything time to settle, and for general peace of mind, we won't have a regular choir rehearsal this week. </font></div>
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<div>However, I will ask for volunteers, up to 2 on a part, who would like to prepare "Strength of Stillness" for next Sunday's service. Those who participate would come to a rehearsal for only that piece on Thursday.</div>
<div><b>For those who might wish to do this, read on: </b></div>
<div>-You need to feel comfortable holding your own on a part</div>
<div>-In order to <b>be sure</b> we don't inadvertently become part of a further outbreak:</div>
<div> -We will mask and/or distance at the rehearsal for this small group.</div>
<div> -This small group will each test on Thursday, either Friday or Saturday, and Sunday (tests available from the church if you need them.)</div>
<div>We will limit the number of participants both to minimize any possible risk, and just for the balance of the piece, as we won't have more than 1 or 2 people available for some of the lower parts. (I can sing the tenor part.)</div>
<div>Let me know (please reply just to me, not "reply all") if you would like to do this. If we don't have enough people to do this we'll just get a guest musician for Sunday.</div>
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<div><b><font size="4">Rehearsals resume Jan 12th</font></b></div>
<div>At this point we will plan to resume regular rehearsals on the 12th, but at least for the Jan 12th rehearsal will require masks. This is for an extra precaution until we know better how any post-holiday surge is developing.</div>
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<div><i>I want to emphasize </i><i>that until now we have been safe, and that </i><i>our outbreak came from an unusual confluence of circumstances: unpredictable, asymptomatic transmission combined with sustained close contact while singing with "performance"
voice (considerably more aerosol transmission than more tentative rehearsal voices). In general I feel that our rehearsals are safe, and our singing in regular services is so short it's not much of a concern. Any individual who has more concern should definitely
continue to wear a mask. Along with the ventilation system and our choir vaccine requirement, wearing a high-quality mask should make any remaining risk VERY low. But I also understand if anyone simply chooses not to participate for a while.</i></div>
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<div><b>Covid Protocols/Policy</b></div>
<div>The choir continues to have a vaccination requirement, with a testing option. We have not been "policing" this this year, but if you have not gotten your most recent boosters, please do! Now is a good time to be sure we are protecting ourselves and
each other as much as possible! If you have questions or concerns about your situation, let me know and we can discuss it.</div>
<div>If you have covid, cold or flu symptoms, don't come to choir. If you are asymptomatic but have ANY question or concern about possible exposure, please wear a mask and distance yourself during rehearsal.</div>
<div>***Those who have had covid, please test yourself before the first rehearsal you return to, even if you are symptom free and have followed the isolation guidelines. And please continue to wear a mask for the first rehearsal you attend after you have tested
negative.***</div>
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<div>I welcome any comments or concerns about any of this.</div>
<div>Be well, everyone. You are all dear to me.</div>
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<div>Donia</div>
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