On choirs and coronavirus

[french frank]

A former contributor here asked me to post this announcement by the culture secretary on the removal of restrictions on choirs now singing together. His comment was, "I'm not so sure this is a good idea", and he's a keen singer.

https://slippedisc.com/2021/07/uk-culture-secretary-desperate-to-get-choirs-back/

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

There has so much misguided information circulating about the hazards of singing in relation to Covid-19. Speaking is probably more dangerous than singing and both pale into insignificance alongside shouting (with which singing has been compared). That said, the sudden removal of all restrictions on choirs, etc., caps just about every irresponsible Covid decision made since the start of the pandemic. The logic of the new Health Secretary shows staggering disregard for public safety.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

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[Roslynmuse]

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That feels so true. I certainly won't be dispensing with masks in a hurry, not least because there are going to be even more infected others out there.

[oddoneout]

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I think that this is now quite a widespread take on the latest "decision" by the government. My view is that the PM has got fed up and wants nothing more to do with it(too much like hard work) especially just before the summer recess so opening everything up is his solution. Perhaps we have the opening of nightclubs to thank for the change of view of the dangers of singing together?
This letter takes a similar line https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...id-is-unmasked

[teamsaint]

Oh I wouldn't worry too much, they have loads of reverse gears lined up, and we know they will use them.

The NHS won’t stop needing “protecting” for many years, given the waiting lists and capacity issues.
And that is just the start of it.

[Cockney Sparrow]

But I heard that decisions about restrictions will now be devolved to local Directors of Public Health. A good try to push responsibility and blame down to local government (cf Air quality, whatever else they can get away with...).

However, they forget this isn't the 18th century with 99% of the population staying in their villages. There seems to be acknowledgement that its uncertain that numbers and hospitalisations will get out of hand and threaten the NHS capacity to cope. If it does become unmanageable one cause will be daily travelling between towns and regions and it will soon make regional restrictions necessary - cue ministers at that podium again.

I'm still processing Spiegelhalter on PM yesterday (R4; about 17:11) -saying his risk of dying if infected, at age 67 and double vaccinated, is the same as an unvaccinated 30 year old...... (and yet more to think about in that interview).

I'm off to a (smoking shelter style "open air" rehearsal tomorrow but I'm not sure I'd join an undistanced, unventilated choir rehearsal in OCtober - November - December (despite the tempation of the Christmas Oratorio concert to prepare for).0

[ardcarp]

I'm afraid that I can't see that the singing and shouting crowds of tens of thousands of fans at football matches are in any way better or less hazardous than a choir, if necessary sensibly spaced at a rehearsal or performance. Many 'professional' choirs (some of which include my relatives) have managed to stream performances on YouTube and elsewhere. Cathedrals and colleges managed to provide us with Christmas music in this way.

I'm sure sensible choir members and their conductors will take distancing measures (and other precautions) seriously if they begin to function again.

May I commend the good amateur choir, Leicestershire Chorale for its concert last week? Their director, Tom Williams, rehearsed its members in groups of six, each group having its own pieces to sing separately in the concert, the audience being spaced out as well. A grand finale was held (and the weather held too) with the whole choir singing together outside.

Whilst I am as suspicious as the next person of our Government's decisions and indeed competence, I do feel that amateur choirs ought, given sensible precautions, to begin rehearsing and performing again.

[oddoneout]

I'm afraid that I can't see that the singing and shouting crowds of tens of thousands of fans at football matches are in any way better or less hazardous than a choir, if necessary sensibly spaced at a rehearsal or performance. Many 'professional' choirs (some of which include my relatives) have managed to stream performances on YouTube and elsewhere. Cathedrals and colleges managed to provide us with Christmas music in this way.

I'm sure sensible choir members and their conductors will take distancing measures (and other precautions) seriously if they begin to function again.

May I commend the good amateur choir, Leicestershire Chorale for its concert last week? Their director, Tom Williams, rehearsed its members in groups of six, each group having its own pieces to sing separately in the concert, the audience being spaced out as well. A grand finale was held (and the weather held too) with the whole choir singing together outside.

Whilst I am as suspicious as the next person of our Government's decisions and indeed competence, I do feel that amateur choirs ought, given sensible precautions, to begin rehearsing and performing again.

Agreed, not least because they are likely to make better informed and considered judgements about practicalities and risks, in contrast to the national administration...
Thinking about the choir I sing with I suspect that a big problem that may still remain is rehearsal space with enough room and ventilation for people to feel comfortable about proximity to others, even if just about all members are double vaccinated. In the past the winter flu season has always seen members dropping out late in the term if it's a bad year as a rather crowded stuffy room isn't seen as a good risk in the scheme of things given the general age and medical status of the majority.
It may be that there will be smaller numbers returning, at least to begin with, and that will reduce the choir size down to something that fits better in the space available. There is little to no choice of alternative venues locally - outgrowing the previous space caused considerable difficulties before finding the current place.

[Dave2002]

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What do you mean - "You've given up?" YOU never took responsibility for anything anyway!

[Cockney Sparrow]

Thinking about the choir I sing with I suspect that a big problem that may still remain is rehearsal space with enough room and ventilation for people to feel comfortable about proximity to others, even if just about all members are double vaccinated.

At last batons the size of Adrian Boult's will come into their own for rehearsals, and cathedrals and similar size spaces will have a surge in demand for bookings.........

In the past the winter flu season has always seen members dropping out late in the term if it's a bad year as a rather crowded stuffy room isn't seen as a good risk in the scheme of things given the general age and medical status of the majority.

I sing in two choirs - about 120 strong - one has an older age profile than the other - never noticed a flu season drop off, in them or any other of the large choruses I have sung with. Perhaps a pre-occupation of your choir?

It may be that there will be smaller numbers returning, at least to begin with, and that will reduce the choir size down............

So far, yes - the one choir which has rehearsed since March 2020 has had about 60 - 70 maybe a little higher, max, at physical rehearsals. They have also been zoomed to those who, for whatever reason, could not be there. That was in a church - 2 shifts of 30 + "organisers/inviligators/professionals" where wi fi was available. Since the last "relaxation" - but only to 6 for amateurs - we went for open /rain shelter rehearsals because the largest willing church was bound by CofE guidance to follow the govt rules (fair enough, established church etc).

[EnemyoftheStoat]

What do you mean - "You've given up?" YOU never took responsibility for anything anyway!

It should say "We've given up pretending now". But that would only be partly true as there are plenty more things they're pretending about.

[pastoralguy]

And yet tonite, at Wembley Stadium, 60,000 people will gather to watch a sporting event. (I’m not sure what it is - the media are remarkably reticent about it…)

[Miles Coverdale]

And yet tonite, at Wembley Stadium, 60,000 people will gather to watch a sporting event. (I’m not sure what it is - the media are remarkably reticent about it…)

No, that'll be fine, because nobody sings at football matches. Oh, wait ...

[LMcD]

And yet tonite, at Wembley Stadium, 60,000 people will gather to watch a sporting event. (I’m not sure what it is - the media are remarkably reticent about it…)

.. and there'll be a capacity crowd on Wimbledon's Centre Court this weekend.