[Choir] covid thoughts and going forward

[Sue Stukey]

Thanks, Donia,
All good advice.    Art and I continue to have COVID (starting on
December 29) and our daughter has us toe-ing the line on
restrictions....I'll be " allowed" out wearing a good mask January 4, (as
long as I don't have a fever) and will take antigen tests on Jan 4 and
6....if all turns out negative I should be good to go.  My voice will not
be in much shape for singing so I will decide then whether I should attend
choir or not.
Be safe everyone.,
Warmly,
Sue

On Mon, Jan 2, 2023 at 4:19 PM Amy Cavanagh via Choir <
choir at unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> wrote:

> Thanks so much Donia.  See you on the 12th!!!
>
> Amy Cavanagh
>
> On Mon, Jan 2, 2023 at 2:50 PM Donia Prince via Choir <
> choir at unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> 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.
>>
>> 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.
>>
>> 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.
>>
>> *Going Forward*
>> To give everything time to settle, and for general peace of mind, we
>> won't have a regular choir rehearsal this week.
>>
>> 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.
>> *For those who might wish to do this, read on:  *
>> -You need to feel comfortable holding your own on a part
>> -In order to *be sure* we don't inadvertently become part of a further
>> outbreak:
>>      -We will mask and/or distance at the rehearsal for this small group.
>>      -This small group will each test on Thursday, either Friday or
>> Saturday, and Sunday (tests available from the church if you need them.)
>> 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.)
>> 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.
>>
>> *Rehearsals resume Jan 12th*
>> 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.
>>
>> *I want to emphasize **that until now we have been safe, and that **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.*
>>
>> *Covid Protocols/Policy*
>> 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.
>> 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.
>> ***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.***
>>
>> I welcome any comments or concerns about any of this.
>> Be well, everyone.  You are all dear to me.
>>
>> Donia
>>
>>
>> Unitarian Church of Montpelier
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>>
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