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

[Donia Prince]

Hello all,
In response to Vicky's email, that new guidance just came out today and I
nor the executive team nor covid task force had seen it yet. It's something
that I have been waiting and watching for. Obviously it is going to change
things. I I'm at my other job this afternoon and so can't address this
further, but there will be more to come.
Donia

On Fri, Aug 20, 2021, 11:43 AM Vicky Viens <vicky.viens at live.com> wrote:

> I regret feeling like I need to send this email but I consider it
> important for all of you to know some facts and my opinion.  I feel there
> is an advocacy of a response to Covid-19 that is in part possibly simple
> error and in part lack of understanding.
>
> No it is not safe. That is not my opinion but the opinion of those who
> have done the research. It is also now the current opinion of the UUA.
> https://www.uua.org/pandemics/gathering-guidance/singing
> Extracted 8/20/21
> "
> No indoor singing at this time.
>
> For outdoor singing (where outdoor gatherings have been deemed safe), all
> singers must wear well-fitted masks
> <https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/02/03/962197192/5-hacks-to-make-your-face-mask-more-protective> and
> stay at least 10 to 12 feet apart.
>
> We know this is hard. You might be asking, "But what about...?" It is
> impossible to provide simple, useful, universal guidance. Nearly all of our
> advisors made clear that any form of singing inside a building is
> problematic and ill-advised for now, especially as the science around delta
> transmission is still emerging."
>
> The studies that the UUA has been using have always indicated masking at
> all times.  They clearly state that their recommendation is not a menu
> which is contrary to what the UUA did previously.
>
> There is a clear lack of understanding of aerosols and their properties in
> choir.  For example, this statement makes absolutely no sense even for
> before Delta.
>
> "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."
>
> There is the biggest build up of aerosols from singing at the end of a
> half hour, which is why the room is cleared to allow air exchange. It would
> be the MOST DANGEROUS TIME to go maskless.  Also aerosols travel very
> quickly, the speed depending on the motions of air in the room.  Please
> provide a link that shows aerosols staying around the person who generated
> them for 5-10 minutes.
>
> Aerosols are considered the prime factor for spreading. You can feel
> droplets, like when someone sneezes. You cannot feel aerosols. Masks need
> to be tight fitting because air travels the fastest through the points of
> least resistance.
>
> I am not feeling lucky enough to consider these guidelines safe at this
> time.  It is always a matter of luck (except for the cases of stupidity).
> The science is there to increase that luck.
>
> I'm also concerned with a tendency to occasionally ignore the guidelines,
> or the choice of which guidelines to follow.
>
> Singing together is wonderful.  Having our friends sick or dying from
> Covid is not.  The pandemic is still here.  I personally am practicing
> extreme caution for my sake and for others.
>
> May we all continue to be lucky.
>
> Vicky
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Choir <choir-bounces at unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> on behalf
> of Tamara via Choir <choir at unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org>
> *Sent:* Friday, August 20, 2021 9:36:12 AM
> *To:* Sue Stukey <susan.stukey at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* Donia Prince <ucm.music21 at gmail.com>;
> choir at unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org <
> choir at unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [Choir] Important question--please reply!!!
>
> That sounds like a good plan to start. I will need to get a singer's mask.
> Tamara
>
> On Aug 20, 2021 9:18 AM, Sue Stukey via Choir <
> choir at unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> wrote:
>
> Hi, all,
> This plan seems as safe as it can be and I'd have no qualms about singing
> with you all.
> (are the masks in yet?)
> Cheers,
> Sue
>
> On Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 9:10 AM Donia Prince via Choir <
> choir at unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> wrote:
>
> 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
>
> Unitarian Church of Montpelier
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>
>
>
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