Safe Return to School
21 May 2020
SEVR Music Coordinators
Return to School information
“Safe Music” and Covid 19
Like all specialist teachers, Instrumental Music Teachers have unique curriculum, tools and methods. We experience a typical working day very differently to our generalist colleagues. We have particular processes and sometimes peculiar requirements.
As IM specialists, it is important for us to understand the issues surrounding the return to onsite teaching and learning and to communicate our needs and concerns to leadership, colleagues and students. The aim should be to achieve a safe and productive teaching and learning environment in our school music departments.
Every school has its individual needs and concerns but the dot points below are the common requirements connecting us all at this time. Please take the time to read and reflect; consider the particular issues in your music department as we return to school.
The issues for Music Departments to consider:
Rehearsals: how many students playing instruments (blowing especially) is safe in a larger indoor space?
Instrumental Music Lessons: how many students playing (blowing) instruments is safe in a small indoor space?
NB: duration of exposure effects infectivity of droplets/aerosols
The Information:
Victoria State Government: Health and Human Services
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/stay-home-restrictions-coronavirus#actions-for-schools
Distancing: maintain at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others at all times
Indoor spaces: no more than 1 person per 4 square metres
Indoor spaces: not to exceed 100 persons at any time, observing 4 square metre rule
Furthermore:
Hygiene: maintain regular, effective handwashing and surface cleaning
Postpone or cancel non-essential group activities
Stay home if you feel unwell
COVID 19 Instrument Cleaning Guidelines - USA
drive.google.com/file/d/1300hxpGkrurrYxKN-AH7NBXrUDeMAin-/view?usp=sharing
DET Victoria State Government: Education and Training
Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) determines the indoor area,
4 square metre rule does not apply to schools between students
Adults in schools must continue to observe social distancing
Furthermore:
Promote fresh air flow indoors
Cancel or defer school excursions and camps
Enable remote meetings where possible
Do not use drinking fountains
Do not share food or drink bottles
Hand sanitizer to be available in all occupied rooms
(NB Students 18 years and older; regarded as adults?)
The Guardian Article
17 May 2020
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/17/did-singing-together-spread-coronavirus-to-four-choirs
Choristers struck by Covid 19 after performances and rehearsals
Singing produces far more droplets/aerosols than speaking
Players of Wind instruments produce far more droplets/aerosols than speaking
Flute players in particular stood out as producing the most powerful airflow: produce far more droplets/aerosols than other instrumentalists with Oboes and Clarinets following
Erin Bromage Article (Immunologist and Professor of Biology – Immunology)
7 May 2020
https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them
Successful Infection = Exposure to Virus vs Time
Virus transmitted by droplets/aerosols
Singing aerosolizes the droplet
Washington choristers infected by Covid 19 after 2.5 hour rehearsal in volleyball court size room
Social distancing observed; no “unwell” people at rehearsal
45 of 60 choristers became sick, 2 died
Worksafe Victoria
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/safety-alerts/exposure-coronavirus-workplaces
Employers must provide and maintain a working environment that is safe
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra study
18 May 2020
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-05-vienna-philharmonic-virus-orchestras.html
Scientific study into droplets/aerosols produced by orchestral musicians
Flute players greatest range
Found orchestra members safe sitting at least 1 metre apart during performances/rehearsals