The US CDC has published guidance for faith communities, following this afternoon’s unexpected announcement by the President greenlighting religious gatherings.

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2. Long term readers will recall that significant outbreaks emanated from religious gatherings - in New York City, South Korea, Iran, and Singapore, among others.

3. The evidence strongly suggests that group singing in particular, alongside physical contact and proximity, is a major risk factor.

4. On this subject, the new CDC guidance says, quite weakly… "The act of singing may contribute to transmission of COVID-19, possibly through emission of aerosols”.

5. Please read the guidance in full for your congregation (link to follow), but know that the CDC put out the attached graphic 10 days ago, showing the spread of infection among one choir in Washington State, from one person.

6. It makes sense that singing would contribute significantly to spreading the virus, and that the recommended 6 feet social distance would be insufficient in this case.

7. Please stay safe this Memorial Day weekend… There are still over 1 million known active cases in the USA - 1 in 300 people.

Here’s the CDC guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/faith-based.html