Thread by @ty_olsen

The BC CDC's school guidance website says singing in groups "can be a safe activity."
Other experts say it's "extremely dangerous and irresponsible."

npr.org/2020/08/10/888…

bccdc.ca/health-info/di…

Italy is banning singing in schools:
thelocal.it/20200904/the-r…

'Italian virologist Andrea Crisanti said 'the risk of spreading the virus rises sharply," citing a recent study which found "if there is one positive case in a choir they can infect 50.“'

Northern Ireland has banned singing in schools:
theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/a…

New Brunswick banned singing, then unbanned it, but said students should "sing softly." Also they say music classes should be held outdoors when possible.
cbc.ca/news/canada/ne…

Saskatchewan says "Choir rehearsals or practices are not recommended at this time due to the known, increased risk of spreading COVID-19." No ban, but participants must wear a mask & be 2 metres apart. If no mask, must be FOUR metres apart.
saskatchewan.ca/government/hea…

Edmonton's schools have banned singing.
globalnews.ca/video/7290074/…

Ontario will allow singing.
"The government says singing and music classes will be allowed, but should take place outdoors as much as possible and students will be asked to sing softly."
nationalpost.com/news/canada/on…

Singing in a masks?
‘Singing with surgical masks filters out the large droplets completely and the aerosols partially, but a portion of the aerosols are emitted in a jet-like fashion slightly upwards and to the sides.’

healthcare-in-europe.com/en/news/singin…

(Via @WoodfordinDK)

Editorial in the academic journal Science:
"Limiting room occupancy, avoiding activities such as singing, and improving ventilation are critical in transmission control"

science.sciencemag.org/content/369/65…

Back to BC. Here's their guidance to music classes document:
drive.google.com/file/d/1KG2rE1…

And here are the guidelines for in-person group singing in B.C.:
docs.google.com/document/d/1HF…

The school document says "the current research, as outlined in this document, does not suggest the need for a total ban on playing instruments or singing."
It suggests singing outdoors is preferred, and lays out preferred arrangements of singers

It also says, regarding hybrid learning and choir: "Allow time for as much normalcy as possible. Focus on singing when you are in class together. Singing and community is what your students came to choir for."

That document also has references to academic literature, if you want to go further down this rabbit hole.

Here's one thing that made me go "huh" from those choir guidelines:
"There may be no safe physical distance between singers if someone singing is infected with COVID-19; this is why it is very important for people to remain home if they are ill and to stay away from others"