Singing and COVID-19
Welcome back! I know I have been verrrryyyy behind in blogging so I wanted to update this part of my website! I was lucky enough to have a very full studio at the end of last year and beginning of this year, so the blog fell to the wayside, but after Covid hit and many of my students took a break, I have had to use my time reinvigorating the studio and figuring out all the logistics of this “new normal.” Now, finally, I have the time and energy to get back into this blog, so thank you for your patience and for tuning back in!
I have had many people ask me about the safety of singing in the current environment. The biggest take-away I can give you is this: listen to science and public health specialists first and foremost. I am not a pathologist, immunologist, public health specialist or any other authority on Covid-19. That being said, I will give you my two-cents and the knowledge I have gained through my own research/learning. Singing in groups is not safe. Period. End of story. Not for religion, not for fun, not for anything. Here’s why:
When we sing, we exhale much more forcefully than when speaking. We also tend to articulate more, which leads to more spit droplets and what some are calling a “cloud” or “mist” of spit. If our droplets can travel up to 6 feet when speaking, just imagine how far they can go when singing. Larger droplets caused from speech are heavier/denser, so they fall to the ground or floor much more quickly than a light mist that can float in the air for a number of hours. All of this leads me to believe (and trust scientists when they say) that singing in groups is too dangerous to be done at the moment. A group of people larger that 5-10 in general is said to be somewhat unsafe right now, so a group of that size or larger, singing, is a no-go.
Here is a link to a New York Times article that helps explain it.
So can I still take voice lessons in person?
To this I say that it depends. In general, you should aim to take any and all lessons online if at all possible. Again, I am not a scientist or doctor, so please do not take the following as objective fact. I have done my research and will link to a couple of resources below, but here is my personal input on in-person voice lessons. If your studio cannot accommodate a minimum of 15 feet between student and instructor, then it is not a good idea to attend your lessons in-person. Singing outdoors with social distancing seems to be the safest option at the moment. Overall, it’s not a great idea to be singing in a place that has students and others rotating in and out all day long; one student in-person every 4-5 hours maximum.
If indoors and at least 15 feet apart, singing with both instructor and student wearing a mask, a HEPA air filter (appropriately sized for the room), and outdoor ventilation with no HVAC running seems to be “safe” according to most sources. I place the word “safe” in quotation marks because this conclusion should be drawn in conjunction with local guidance, ongoing research, studio guidance, and personal feelings.
TL;DR
Do not sing in crowds/groups. Only sing when you can maintain at least 15 feet (CDC guidance says 12, so 15 to be extra cautious) between you and your instructor. Always wear a mask when outside of your home. HEPA filters and ventilation are vital.
Links:
National Association of Teachers of Singing: Comprehensive Resource List