Tag: singing not a super-spreader

Something positive

Marianne Barton

At long last there is something positive to say about singing – the research has concluded that it poses no additional risk as far as Covid-19 is concerned.

You can see the revised Performing Arts guidance here, but the crucial change reads:

“Additional mitigations, such as extended social distancing, were previously required for singing, wind and brass given concerns that these were potentially higher risk activities. DCMS commissioned further scientific studies to develop the scientific evidence on these activities, which has allowed us to reconsider these additional mitigations. Both professionals and non-professionals can now engage in singing, wind and brass in line with this guidance.”

“Non-professionals continue to be restricted to the rules on ‘meeting people outside your home’.”

So resumption of singing together moves a little closer, thank heavens! All we need now is the removal of the distinction between amateur and pro.

Required reading

Marianne Barton

For anyone who loves singing, the idea – given substantial credence when it first appeared – that singing by its very nature was a ‘super-spreader’ felt like a death-blow. The idea seemed plausible; many believed it; and singing became the enemy. But singers themselves are now fighting back. Baritone Ed Ballard, writing in the Church Times, has drawn together the very limited science which enabled the original conclusions to be drawn and counteracts it with the opposite views, also from scientists, explaining the flaws in the original argument. Read his article here (you’ll need to cut and paste): https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2020/5-june/comment/opinion/it-is-time-to-sing-again?fbclid=IwAR2v5Vq3yJge_1HD0QrutuTTgaIW9Tr4xIGZZZMBBumnETVwxyvE2hmElpo . Trouble is, the original idea has taken hold in some quarters, so we need robust scientific investigation to tell us why we don’t need to be afraid to sing. And we need it soon.