Since we’ve started recording instances of the novel coronavirus hitting the United States, we’ve seen a number of people and organizations refusing to abide by social distancing guidelines. Unfortunately, this has included some places of worship. As Daily Kos has previously covered, for example, there was a megachurch pastor in Florida who encouraged folks to come to service in spite of the pandemic, and a pastor in Louisiana has been arrested over his refusal to stop holding crowded services.
On Mother’s Day, May 10, one pastor in northern California reportedly held a livestreamed service that included singing. Mendocino County has a restriction on singing at services due to the understood risk of the virus spreading through air droplets. As reported by CNN, that pastor has now tested positive for the virus. Three confirmed cases (including the pastor) have been linked to the event, according to officials. Insider reports that one person linked to the Mother’s Day service has been hospitalized, and the other two are in stable condition at their own homes.
According to a county press release, officials are trying to reach “any other individuals who are contacts with these three new cases, including anyone who participated in the live stream church service with singing.” The same release notes that the county originally did not reveal the name of the church for the sake of privacy, but claims the church itself has now publicly confirmed the pastor’s diagnosis on social media.
The release states: “If individuals have recently visited the Assembly of God church in Redwood Valley, or have come in contact with individuals involved in the live stream service production on Mother’s Day, we encourage you and your close contacts to get tested for COVID-19.”
Local outlet KPIX 5 reports that officials used contact tracing to get to the source after one “elderly” man was reported Friday night. From him, they found two others in close contact with the man who were diagnosed the following day. All three were reportedly at the venue. Two of the three participated in the event in some capacity.
At this point, it’s hard to think about choirs without thinking about the case in Washington state from early March, where the coronavirus reached about 87% of participants. Among the 61 people in attendance, 32 were confirmed with the virus, 20 had probable secondary cases, three people were hospitalized, and two died. While no one reported actual physical contact, members reportedly had six to 10 inches between one another, though some said there were empty chairs between them.
A recent CDC report on the incident stressed that this is an example of why some activities continue to be discouraged. This instance highlights the “importance of physical distancing, including maintaining at least 6 feet between persons, avoiding group gatherings and crowded places, and wearing cloth face coverings in public settings,” it reads in part. The report suggests that transmission in the Washington state incident was “likely facilitated” because of close quarters during the two and a half-hour rehearsal and “augmented by the act of singing.”
That said, researchers are still trying to understand what precisely it is about singing that might be the cause. For example, in late March, UCLA infectious disease specialist Jamie Lloyd-Smith told the Los Angeles Times: “One could imagine that really trying to project your voice would also project more droplets and aerosols.”
As reported by The Guardian, Bristol University’s Professor Adam Finn, however, suggested evidence is still “anecdotal,” adding that “without data from comparably large groups who interacted in the same way but didn’t sing, it’s hard to be certain that the singing was responsible.”
As with much of what we know about the novel coronavirus, it’s simply too soon to tell for sure. That’s why it’s extra important to stay cautious and follow CDC and WHO guidelines as much as possible. And to push your representatives for more action and protections as we face an ongoing pandemic.