[Choir] Important question--please reply!!!

[Donia Prince]

Hi,

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?"
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.

Here are the guidelines that have been put out by the group that has been
doing the research that is that standard for performing arts organizations:

-Sing with well-fitting masks

-Keep 6 ft distance

-Rehearse in well-ventilated spaces.  Outdoors is best, established HVAC
systems next, with air exchange rate of 5 ACH or better.

-Rehearse indoors for no longer than 30 minutes before allowing for a
complete air exchange.  Outdoors, 60 minute limit.



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.
https://www.nfhs.org/articles/unprecedented-international-coalition-led-by-performing-arts-organizations-to-commission-covid-19-study/

Here is the plan I have proposed:

--Meeting at the large space at the North Branch Nature center.
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.
--I measured, and we can fit 25 people singing in there at 6 ft distance.
We will be careful about this.
--Sing with the singer's masks, or ones with equal coverage.
--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)
--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.

So, how safe do you feel singing with these guidelines?  Thank you for
answering!

Donia
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