A time to sing and a time to refrain from singing

Several studies to date indicate that the kind of behaviours which promote spread of the virus include singing, shouting, projecting one's voice.

This is precisely the reason why for now most choirs are still not back to rehearsing even in areas which have opened up, or are doing so only outdoors and with masks.

In our schools however this is exactly what the kids and teachers are doing every day. We have received video clip after video clip from our kids' teachers of the kids singing in class, belting out davening, chanting times tables and so on. For the most part almost no one is wearing a mask.

The classrooms are closed up with the air conditioning running (a week of temps over 40C, understandable). And this is sustained contact, kids and teachers at school for a regular school day of several hours.

Hopefully numbers are low enough in Israel that in most cases this will not be a problem, but in theory, if anyone is sick, these are ideal spreading conditions.

It seems to me that the Ministry of Education hasn't briefed teachers about this issue, or maybe they themselves are not concerned, but if we are to learn to live with the potential danger of this virus then we need to understand what activities can be surprisingly risky and adapt behaviours accordingly.

I was just watching video from a local gan kabbalat Shabbat. The staff are dancing with the children and making a human train, everyone is touching, but what is probably more risky is that everyone is singing loudly, projecting their voices, encouraging the children to belt it out.

This is also a concern with the re-opening of synagogues and churches. Will congregants really be wearing masks? Even when it's hot? A closed room of people singing and chanting loudly together is problematic. I know of some synagogues who are re-opening but with a ban on singing and only quiet prayer. Unfortunately I have yet to see guidelines from the Rabbanut addressing this matter or instructing congregations how to conduct their prayer services.

Singing is fun and a useful educational tool, but right now might be the time to find alternatives and put the class singalongs and musical prayers on hold.

If we are to have schools and synagogues remain safely open it would seem the prudent thing to do.