Safe singing in choirs during pandemics

The Leipzig University Choir rehearsing under corona conditions. Photo: Christian Hüller In order to investigate how aerosols, as possible carriers of viruses, are distributed in the room during a choir rehearsal, research teams from the University of Leipzig and the TU Bergakademie Freiberg carried out measurements during choir rehearsals in recent months. The researchers now report on their findings in the Journal of Voice. According to their findings, thanks to regular air exchange and special sensors, choir rehearsals can be conducted in such a way that the carbon dioxide concentration and thus also the aerosols in the room air remain below the critical range for infection . From the results of their measurements, for example at a rehearsal of the Leipzig University Choir, the scientists from the Center for Musicians' Medicine at the University of Leipzig derive specific recommendations for action. We recommend that singers do the usual voice warm-up exercises alone at home or on the way to choir rehearsals. Because during the movement-intensive voice exercises particularly many aerosols are exhaled, whirled, and the carbon dioxide concentration rises very fast , explain Dr. Lennart Heinrich Pieper.