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

Fri Aug 20 12:08:12 CDT 2021

Yes, we do as well. We take precautions however. I think school will be the
biggest threat until the under-twelves can get the jab.

On Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 1:04 PM vamarie <vamarie at aol.com> wrote:

> I will say, it is the fact that vaccinated people can transmit the Delta
> variant which is most concerning as we have in our household someone who is
> too young to get vaccinated.
>
> Ginny
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 20, 2021, at 12:51 PM, vamarie <vamarie at aol.com> wrote:
>
> I do not think all choir members are vaccinated. I certainly am!! But I
> believe UCM does not have a stringent vaccination rule.
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 20, 2021, at 12:44 PM, Heather Moz via Choir <
> choir at unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> wrote:
>
> 
>
> Dear Lani,
>
> I would agree.  Of course the MOST important thing about keeping ourselves
> safe from this virus and the Delta variant is to be vaccinated!  I'm
> assuming, I hope correctly, that this important criteria has been met for
> our choir rehearsals and future service to the church by all involved in
> singing.
>
> Heather
>
> On Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 12:31 PM Lani Seifert via Choir <
> choir at unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> wrote:
>
>> I guess I may have read this too quickly but I did not see any mention of
>> the role of vaccines and a largely vaccinated state. Yes vaccinated people
>> can get COVID and can transmit it in many cases even if they are
>> symptomless.
>> I am willing to continue to sing, masked. I think the location which
>> Donia has suggested with a very high air exchange rate, along with masking
>> and distancing will be safe enough for me especially if others are
>> vaccinated.
>> I guess anyone who does not feel safe can skip it until a future time
>> when they believe they are more safe.
>> Lani
>>
>> On Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 11:44 AM Vicky Viens via Choir <
>> choir at unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> 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
>>> Choir email list
>>> unsubscribe at www.unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org
>>>
>>>
>>> Unitarian Church of Montpelier
>>> Choir email list
>>> unsubscribe at www.unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org
>>>
>> Unitarian Church of Montpelier
>> Choir email list
>> unsubscribe at www.unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org
>>
>
>
> --
>
> Heather
> Unitarian Church of Montpelier
> Choir email list
> unsubscribe at www.unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org
>
>
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