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Many articles that argue in favor of the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 use the “choir rehearsal super-spreading event” as an example.
But do you know what really happened in that rehearsal? Let’s examine the facts...
But do you know what really happened in that rehearsal? Let’s examine the facts...
First of all they always cite the LA times or Reuters who give very little detail. What they say is that an infected person went to the rehearsal, they all physical distanced, sang their hearts out and went home infected (many of them at least).
Conclusion: it’s airborne!
Conclusion: it’s airborne!
Don’t you wish you had more detail? That a team of epidemiologists went there and asked relevant questions? That this team then would gather their data in a scientific matter and publish?
Guess what...
Guess what...
Turns out @CDCgov did a thorough investigation and published it in May!
If you haven’t read it... here are some amazingly enlightening highlights...
If you haven’t read it... here are some amazingly enlightening highlights...
First of all. There wasn’t A rehearsal, there were 2! One on March 3, one on the 10th. The index patient had symptoms on the 7.
Now it gets messy because some of the people went to one, some to the other, some to both
(Index case went to both).
Now it gets messy because some of the people went to one, some to the other, some to both
(Index case went to both).
Then it becomes interesting. They did physically distance... at first. But then they broke into smaller groups where they sat together. Imagine them singing their hearts out, close together, in an even more enclosed space and without masks. They were spitting at each other!
@CDCgov doesn’t even bother publishing the sitting chart because of this. They all mingled! Never mind the cookies or the coffee break...
Let’s review the @CDCgov conclusions:
“Choir practice attendees had multiple opportunities for droplet transmision from close contact or fomite”
Here’s another cool one:
“Choir practice attendees had multiple opportunities for droplet transmision from close contact or fomite”
Here’s another cool one:
“Members had an intense and prolonged exposure, singing while sitting 6-10 inches from one another”
Of course this doesn’t change many of the recomendations given so far:
- distance yourself
- wash your hands
- avoid touching your face
- wear a mask when in an enclosed space
- avoid singing into each other’s face
- and last for all scientists:
Avoid citing newspapers.
- distance yourself
- wash your hands
- avoid touching your face
- wear a mask when in an enclosed space
- avoid singing into each other’s face
- and last for all scientists:
Avoid citing newspapers.
