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The following respiratory Illness precautions apply as of the above date. These procedures are subject to change at any time.
Applicability
These procedures apply to all chorus singers participating in rehearsals and performances with the Octavo Singers.
Introduction
As of March 2024, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revised its Covid guidelines to address all respiratory illnesses, including Covid, Flu, and RSV. This change recognizes that Covid currently has moved from pandemic to endemic in our population. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/respiratory-virus-guidance.html
Based on these guidelines and given that group singing carries a higher risk of respiratory exposure, the board has established these precautions with the goal of avoiding cancellation of rehearsals/performances due to mass illness.
Vaccination Advisory
You are strongly encouraged to be up to date on any vaccinations that your health care provider recommends. This is a link to CDC guidance on being up to date for the Covid vaccine:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/downloads/COVID-19-immunization-schedule ages-6months-older.pdf.
Masking
Masking at rehearsals and performances is optional. Those who wish to mask are strongly encouraged to use an N95 or a KN95 mask. If you choose to mask during a performance, please use a black mask if possible.
Self-Assessment
Prior to each rehearsal/performance, be aware of how you are feeling and do not participate if you experience symptoms of a respiratory Illness. Do not immediately assume symptoms are allergies. If you have any of the following symptoms, please do not attend:
New loss of taste or smell, sore throat, cough, shortness/difficulty breathing, nasal/sinus discharge, headache, body aches, digestive upset, conjunctivitis, fever, fatigue.
Covid Exposure
If you know you were exposed to Covid while not wearing a mask within 7 days of the next rehearsal or performance, it is recommended that you test for Covid on the day of rehearsal/performance. If the exposure contact was very close and within 2 to 3 days of rehearsal, assess for symptoms and consider masking at the next rehearsal.
If You Test Positive for Covid
If you test positive for Covid you must notify the Board by calling 518-380-6938. If you do not want to identify yourself on voicemail, say “I need a call back as soon as possible.” A Board member will contact you with instructions. Before the next rehearsal/performance, a Board member will notify singers via our regular email if an attendee at a prior session reports a positive Covid test. The notice will be anonymous.
Participating After Having Any Respiratory Illness
If you experience a respiratory Illness, you should remain away from rehearsal until:
Pre-concert Covid testing and reporting will take place as the Board determines to be necessary.
For the Spring 2024 concert, singers will be required to complete a home Covid test on the day of the last regular rehearsal prior to the concert and report the results of the test as follows:
Email a photo of the result according to directions that will be given via our regular email announcements. Singers who do not have email available must bring a phone photo of the test result card showing a negative result and show it to the designated board member before joining the group.
If the test is positive, follow the instructions you will be given via our regular email before the testing date.
Test Availability and Expiration Dates
Covid Tests are available at pharmacies, box stores with pharmacies, and some supermarkets. Some insurance providers may cover the cost of home tests; check with your provider.
If you have Covid tests that show past expiration dates, it is very possible that the expiration dates have been extended. Check your tests at:
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list
If you need assistance determining the expiration date of your test, please contact us at 518-380-6938 or at info@octavosingers.org.
Applicability
These procedures apply to all chorus singers participating in rehearsals and performances with the Octavo Singers.
Introduction
As of March 2024, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revised its Covid guidelines to address all respiratory illnesses, including Covid, Flu, and RSV. This change recognizes that Covid currently has moved from pandemic to endemic in our population. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/respiratory-virus-guidance.html
Based on these guidelines and given that group singing carries a higher risk of respiratory exposure, the board has established these precautions with the goal of avoiding cancellation of rehearsals/performances due to mass illness.
Vaccination Advisory
You are strongly encouraged to be up to date on any vaccinations that your health care provider recommends. This is a link to CDC guidance on being up to date for the Covid vaccine:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/downloads/COVID-19-immunization-schedule ages-6months-older.pdf.
Masking
Masking at rehearsals and performances is optional. Those who wish to mask are strongly encouraged to use an N95 or a KN95 mask. If you choose to mask during a performance, please use a black mask if possible.
Self-Assessment
Prior to each rehearsal/performance, be aware of how you are feeling and do not participate if you experience symptoms of a respiratory Illness. Do not immediately assume symptoms are allergies. If you have any of the following symptoms, please do not attend:
New loss of taste or smell, sore throat, cough, shortness/difficulty breathing, nasal/sinus discharge, headache, body aches, digestive upset, conjunctivitis, fever, fatigue.
Covid Exposure
If you know you were exposed to Covid while not wearing a mask within 7 days of the next rehearsal or performance, it is recommended that you test for Covid on the day of rehearsal/performance. If the exposure contact was very close and within 2 to 3 days of rehearsal, assess for symptoms and consider masking at the next rehearsal.
If You Test Positive for Covid
If you test positive for Covid you must notify the Board by calling 518-380-6938. If you do not want to identify yourself on voicemail, say “I need a call back as soon as possible.” A Board member will contact you with instructions. Before the next rehearsal/performance, a Board member will notify singers via our regular email if an attendee at a prior session reports a positive Covid test. The notice will be anonymous.
Participating After Having Any Respiratory Illness
If you experience a respiratory Illness, you should remain away from rehearsal until:
- At least 24 hours have passed with no fever and without using fever reducing medications, and your symptoms are getting better,
- It has been 5 days since your symptoms began or if you did not have symptoms before testing, since you tested positive for Covid,
- sooner than 5 days if you tested positive for Covid and have had two sequential negative tests done 48 hours apart prior to the rehearsal.
Pre-concert Covid testing and reporting will take place as the Board determines to be necessary.
For the Spring 2024 concert, singers will be required to complete a home Covid test on the day of the last regular rehearsal prior to the concert and report the results of the test as follows:
Email a photo of the result according to directions that will be given via our regular email announcements. Singers who do not have email available must bring a phone photo of the test result card showing a negative result and show it to the designated board member before joining the group.
If the test is positive, follow the instructions you will be given via our regular email before the testing date.
Test Availability and Expiration Dates
Covid Tests are available at pharmacies, box stores with pharmacies, and some supermarkets. Some insurance providers may cover the cost of home tests; check with your provider.
If you have Covid tests that show past expiration dates, it is very possible that the expiration dates have been extended. Check your tests at:
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list
If you need assistance determining the expiration date of your test, please contact us at 518-380-6938 or at info@octavosingers.org.