Choir of more than 100 people perform without masks at Pence event

[Ohiogal]

Washington(CNN) A choir of more than 100 people performed without masks at a robustly attended event in Texas at the First Baptist Church on Sunday that featured a speech by Vice President Mike Pence.

Nearly 2,200 people attended the "Celebrate Freedom Rally," in the Lone Star State, according to rally organizers, which has seen a severe surge in coronavirus cases since easing restrictions. The venue capacity for the indoor event was close to 3,000 attendees, organizers say.

Throughout the service, the members of the choir sang at full volume, behind an orchestra. Between songs, the choir members put their masks back on when they sat down, according to pool reports from the event. The members of the choir had space between them, but it was not clear if it was the recommended six feet.

More

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/28/politics/mike-pence-dallas-choir-no-masks-church-event/index.html

[MLAA]

1. They put their masks back on after singing closing the barn door after the horse has left

[phylny]

2. People from my church are anxious to get back to

the building and want a choir. Pastors say, “Not yet” and “heck no!”

[Mariana]

20. Right now, churches are pestholes.

Your pastors are thoughtful and wise.

[phylny]

32. They are.

They really get it.

[bottomofthehill]

26. That is the definition of looking out for your flock

Good on your Pastor. He is saving lives

[phylny]

31. They are. They pay attention to - wait for it...

SCIENCE!

In all seriousness, they know that 80% of the members are over the age of 60, they're not messing around.

[captain queeg]

3. Didn't they read about that choir in Skagit county WA?

About a month ago, supposedly they were following most of the rules except when they sang. About 30 of them came down with Covid

[Crunchy Frog]

24. They don't read. I think it was more like 60 cases with a couple of deaths.

[Cal Carpenter]

4. Fuuuuck. Choirs are particularly dangerous.

One of the earliest clusters in the NW was a choir rehearsal. A friend is a vocal coach and jokes about never before seeing her profession on a HIGH RISK list.

A choir of 100 indoors, with 2200 ppl in the audience?

Bad fucking idea.

[Girard442]

5. I believe that's Robert Jeffress' church.

Don't see his name appearing anywhere, though.

[Ohiogal]

6. How doesn't this idiot have Covid-19 yet?

I wonder how many will get it after this very reckless and stupid event.

[LisaL]

11. Could doctors be injecting Trump and Pence with antibodies?

From covid survivors?

[Crunchy Frog]

25. That's what I've been wondering.

Basically the equivalent of bathing in the blood of virgins.

[mucifer]

17. probably he and trump had it was asymptomatic and they are lying to us about it

[Mariana]

22. Trump could never resist boasting if he got it and beat it.

That's why I really doubt either has been infected.

[Blue_true]

28. Actually, I would prefer that him and Trump stay healthy.

And get bed ridden with covid19 and be on ventilators in early October. Nancy came pass the torch to Joe in January of next year.

[Beakybird]

7. I read that singing is as dangerous as coughing. Cardio is dangerous too.

[sdfernando]

8. When you are singing and projecting your voice

I can guarantee 6 feet distancing is WAY TOO CLOSE!

[Srkdqltr]

9. Just hope no one has the virus.

[stillcool]

10. at least half of the attendees wore masks..

that must be considered huge progress. I wouldn't want to be in Texas anytime soon.

[LisaL]

12. The choir took their masks of for singing.

If anybody in a choir was infected, singing spreads it bigly.

[Ohiogal]

14. Maybe they think

Because they were in a church, God protects them?

[stillcool]

29. Yeah...that's a lot of inhaling..

and exhaling going on...you add the other 1500 people not wearing masks, it could be quite the hot spot.

[JarOCats]

13. The 2020 Darwin Awards...

...will be spoiled for choice.

[catbyte]

15. Idiots. They obviously learned nothing from this early superspreader case in Washington state:

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6919e6.htm

High SARS-CoV-2 Attack Rate Following Exposure at a Choir Practice — Skagit County, Washington, March 2020

Weekly / May 15, 2020 / 69(19);606–610

On May 12, 2020, this report was posted online as an MMWR Early Release.

Lea Hamner, MPH1; Polly Dubbel, MPH1; Ian Capron1; Andy Ross, MPH1; Amber Jordan, MPH1; Jaxon Lee, MPH1; Joanne Lynn1; Amelia Ball1; Simranjit Narwal, MSc1; Sam Russell1; Dale Patrick1; Howard Leibrand, MD1 (View author affiliations)

Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Superspreading events involving SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, have been reported.

What is added by this report?

Following a 2.5-hour choir practice attended by 61 persons, including a symptomatic index patient, 32 confirmed and 20 probable secondary COVID-19 cases occurred (attack rate = 53.3% to 86.7%); three patients were hospitalized, and two died. Transmission was likely facilitated by close proximity (within 6 feet) during practice and augmented by the act of singing.

What are the implications for public health practice?

The potential for superspreader events underscores the importance of physical distancing, including avoiding gathering in large groups, to control spread of COVID-19. Enhancing community awareness can encourage symptomatic persons and contacts of ill persons to isolate or self-quarantine to prevent ongoing transmission.

[Music Man]

16. Footage of their rehearsal:

[Freddie]

18. 2 things I miss more than anything

Playing in the community concert band and singing in the church choir. It’s still strange not doing either of these things. Leadership of both are being extremely cautious and haven’t set a date to even try to go back, or what it may look like. I’m on the board of the concert band and we’re looking at maybe Christmas. Or not.

[tanyev]

19. They were waiting and waiting for the Rapture, until they tried this one weird trick.

[Maraya1969]

21. Between songs they put their masks back on. As if that would matter.

"Between songs, the choir members put their masks back on when they sat down, according to pool reports from the event. "


As if this is going to matter!

[Crunchy Frog]

23. Best way to spread it. Gets it nice deep down in your lungs.

Maybe Pence will finally get it.

[stillcool]

30. He wore a mask..

[LisaL]

33. Again, cloth masks are mostly to protect those around you.

With hundred of people singing, his cloth masks is not likely to protect him.

[Crunchy Frog]

34. We can always hope.

[Blue_true]

27. Ahhhh, hopefully they were recircing the AC air.

I am really fucking tired of those people, if they want to die, I say let them go ahead.

[Blue Owl]

35. The Covid Tabernacle Choir

n/t

[area51]

36. Well, this should end well.

[Sugarcoated]

37. RIP