[Choir] covid thoughts and going forward

[Amy Cavanagh]

My husband just tested positive—that was my biggest fear. Please send
healing thoughts Ted’s way everyone.

Amy

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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> unsubscribe at www.unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org
>
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