We are compiling a page of links that have been cultivated with various resources regarding safety and security, worship and singing. These resources are in no way endorsements. Links have been vetted only in terms of being posted from reliable sources such as government agencies, major news organizations, and medical journals. While sources are vetted to the best of our ability, the articles are not specifically or independently fact checked. We do our best to identify if something is an Op-Ed, research paper, newspaper article, government guidelines, etc. You are welcome to share and use these resources and share the link(s). Please note hat research is ongoing. You may need to check back frequently for additional information.
Updated CDC Events and Gathering Guidelines. February 18, 2021.
Link to the Small Business Association website for the 2nd round of PPP loans.
Information for emergency rental assistance available to tenants and landlords and the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) “Rental Assistance Finder” tool. The White House Office of Public Engagement is trying to make sure as many people as possible know that rental relief is available. The tool is now live at: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/renthelp Click for the "tool kit." Click for a "one-pager" of information.
Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: What We Know. Oxford Academic Journal. Jonathan M Samet, MD, MS, Kimberly Prather, PhD, Georges Benjamin, MD, Seema Lakdawala, PhD, John-Martin Lowe, PhD, Arthur Reingold, MD, John Volckens, PhD, Linsey Marr, PhD Clinical Infectious Diseases, ciab039, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciab039
Information from the TH Chang School of Public Health at Harvard University and Dr. Joseph Allen. Discussion and slides from October 2020. Reposted as Delta Variant information is being released
- FAQs from Dr. Allen's presentation
- Slide deck from presentation
- Healthy Buildings document
New studies on aerosoles from American Choral Directors Association
WHO recommends new air circulation/ventilation guidelines. October 30, 2020
HUC ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF SCRIPTIONS: JEWISH THOUGHTS AND RESPONSES TO COVID-19
CDC expands definition of who is a ‘close contact’ of an individual with covid-19 - The Washington Post, October 21, 2020
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
More than 40 coronavirus cases linked to Maine church that held fellowship rally, NBC News. October 20, 2020
Updated CDC Guidelines on how Covid-19 spreads as of October 5, 2020
A growing body of evidence indicates that airborne transmission is the main way people are becoming infected with the novel coronavirus. Given that understanding, how should we change our behavior to reduce our risk of infection? William Brangham talks to Virginia Tech’s Dr. Linsey Marr about aerosols vs. droplets, ventilation and more.
Information on the aerosole spread of COVID-19
The White House coronavirus outbreak shows that testing alone is not enough, Dr. Joseph Allen, Washington Post
Link to 2-day seminar from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Health on the Airborne Transmission of Sars-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Download the agenda to find the individual workshops you wish to watch.
Cross Movement Reopening Document attachment is available. With thanks Steven Weiss who represented the ACC on the task force.
Safer Singing During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: What We Know and What We Don't, Journal of Voice, July 1, 2020
Link to discussion with Dr. Ed Septimus on singing and mitigating risks
Emory University Information on Singing During COVID-19
Nearly 100 people in Ohio got sick after one man infected with the coronavirus attended a church service, Business Insider, August 6, 2020
Safer Singing During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: What We Know and What We Don't, Jourbal of Voice, July 2, 2020
Schools for Health: Risk Reduction Strategies for Reopening Schools, Harvard School of Public Health. June 2020
Airborne Coronavirus: What You Should Do Now, New York Times, July 6, 2020
The Coronavirus Can Be Airborne Indoors, W.H.O. Says, New YorK Times, July 10, 2020
Is it safe to strike up the band in a time of coronavirus? Science Magazine, July 17,2020
HUC-JIR Fieldwork Documents for reference
Reopening New York: Guidelines for Religious and Funeral Services (State of New York)
COVID-19 Guidance for Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services (State of Illinois)
New Jersey Governor issues guidelines for reopening state (NBC News Philadelphia)
State of New Jersey Guidelines
COVID-19 Industry Guidance for Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services and Cultural Ceremonies (State of California) on May 25, 2020
American Choral Directors Association COVID-19 Response Committee Report from June 15, 2020
CDC Weekly Report (MMWR) Section High COVID-19 Attack Rate Among Attendees at Events at a Church — Arkansas, March 2020 on May 22, 2020
Is Singing in a Choir Safe During COVID-19? A Voice Expert Explains the Risk from the Massachusettes Eye and Ear Communications on Thursday, May 21, 2020
Op-Ed in Washington Post: We cannot keep ignoring the possibility of airborne transmission. Here’s how to address it. By Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health on May 26, 2020 at 12:55 p.m. CDT
Academic Paper (not yet peer reviewed): Re-thinking the Potential for Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by Joseph G. Allen and Linsey C. Marr
Navigating the Pandemic: V’Chai BaHem, “And you shall live by them” by the Synagogue Council of Massachusettes Issues in Light of COVID-19 on May 26, 2020
CDC Paper: High SARS-CoV-2 Attack Rate Following Exposure at a Choir Practice — Skagit County, Washington, March 2020
Scientists to choirs: Group singing can spread the coronavirus, despite what CDC may say--LA Times, June 1, 2020
When 511 Epidemiologists Expect to Fly, Hug and Do 18 Other Everyday Activities Again--New York Times, June 8, 2020
COVID-19: Straight Answers from Top Epidemiologist Who Predicted the Pandemic by Dan Buettner, Blue Zones Founder
When Will It Be Safe to Sing Together Again? New York Times. June 9, 2020
Paging Dr. Hamblin: When Will It Be Safe to Sing Together?
Making music has benefits beyond tradition. In a pandemic, though, it’s also riskier than staying silent., The Atlantic, June 10, 2020
NATS presents A Conversation: What Do Science and Data Say About the Near Term Future of Singing?
US Department of Health and Human Services chart with links to state opening guidelines.
CDC Community and Faith-Based Organizations: Plan, Prepare, and Respond
Church Tied to Oregon's Largest Coronavirus Outbreak. AP. June 16, 2020
Posnack JCC in Davie shuts down preschool camp after second staff member tests positive for COVID-19. ABC News Channel 10 Miami. June 17, 2020
