One of the early “super-spreader” covid-19 events was a 2-1/2 hour chorus rehearsal in Skagit Valley, Washington on March 10, 2020 (the day before the World Health Organization declared the pandemic). "In the weeks that followed, more than 50 people from that rehearsal would contract the disease—almost everyone who attended—and two died.” (Singing unmasked…)
CU Boulder Today, 9/17/2020
This event triggered research during the next few years studying how various aspects of singing (such as volume, rehearsal time, and even language) affected the aerosol transmission of the virus. (Louder Singers …)
It also spawned studies exploring various mitigation measures such as “singer’s masks" and increased fresh air ventilation. (How Safe …)
The bottom line is that singing (along with other behaviors that increase respiration, such as shouting or physical exercise) increases the risk of transmission. Even though less virus is in circulation, it still accounts for more than 200 deaths a day nationally, more than any other communicable disease, and it is still prudent to avoid it where possible, especially when vulnerable individuals are part of your group.
Luckily, this is easily done. For today’s group gatherings, where mask wearing is not a popular practice, while singing or otherwise, the simplest and best solution is covid-19 antigen testing prior to gathering. (See Aug. 5th, 2022 blog post.)
If groups decide not to do this at every rehearsal, then providing good fresh air ventilation (CO2 less than 800 ppm) will reduce the risk by perhaps 80% (See Dec. 16th, 2022 blog post). The more fresh air, and air filtration, the better, and of course being outdoors is best.
And if antigen testing is not done at the numerous rehearsals, then at least do it for all performances! Performances combine all the highest-risk factors of singers being even closer together than at rehearsals, singing perhaps with even more gusto, potentially exposing the audience, and being in indoor spaces where the amount of fresh air may be unknown or uncontrollable.
It’s always time to sing, and we can sing safely!
Village Harmony 30th Anniversary singing with Larry Gordon.
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