We approached this problem by using fluid flow visualization techniques to first understand the respiratory flow patterns from these activities. The objective of this study was to better understand aerosol production in wind instrument playing, singing, and acting so that musicians, performers, and students of music could resume playing in rehearsal and public spaces in a safer manner for the nearby musicians and audience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concern has been expressed specifically regarding woodwind and brass instruments because the sound is produced by a controlled flow of exhaled air. The singing outbreaks and the published data on plastic horn playing suggest that further investigation is warranted into the possibility of infectious aerosol generated from playing wind instruments. recently conducted a study of various musical instruments and found that aerosol generation can vary substantially across musical instruments and can be affected by dynamic level, articulation, and individual performers. conducted a study of 12 singers utilizing an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) and a high-speed camera and showed that singing produced more aerosol compared to normal talking and breathing, and that singing or talking louder also generated more aerosol. (17) Measurements of aerosol number concentrations released during sustained vocalization were shown to be comparable to those of voluntary coughing and higher than those of speaking. showed that the rate of aerosol emission during vocal activities increases with the loudness of the sound. (16) After a 30 min settling period, 36% of the emitted droplets were still airborne. (15) Loudon and Roberts reported that, for singing, the count median diameter was 68 μm with a geometric standard deviation of 3.3 34% of the particles were smaller than 3 μm, and 33% were between 3 and 114 μm. The majority of these particles were between 0.5 and 5 μm in diameter. In one study, the number of particles emitted while playing plastic blowing horns called vuvuzelas (used by sports fans) was 658 particles cm –3 compared to 3.7 particles cm –3 for shouting. (14) However, the potential for wind instrument spread is likely. (12,13) There have been no reports yet implicating the playing of instruments, but there have been reports of musicians spreading the virus in a bar outbreak in Hong Kong. Singing has been implicated in several outbreaks. These activities include singing, performing theater, and playing band instruments. CFD modeling showed differences between indoor and outdoor environments and that the lowest risk of airborne COVID-19 infection occurred at less than 30 min of exposure indoors and less than 60 min outdoors.īecause of this risk of infection via inhalation of aerosol, many activities that occurred prior to the pandemic have been modified, especially those that have the potential to generate respiratory airborne particles. Face and bell masks attenuated plume velocities and lengths and decreased aerosol concentrations measured in front of the masks.
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Aerosol number concentration measured at the bell of the clarinet was comparable to that of singing. We found that plumes from musical performance were highly directional, unsteady and varied considerably in time and space. The interdisciplinary team enabled us to understand the various aspects of aerosol transmission risk from musical performance and to quickly implement strategies in music classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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This study was possible because of a partnership across academic departments and institutions and collaboration with the National Federation of State High School Associations and the College Band Directors National Association. In this study, we used a variety of methods, including flow visualization, aerosol and CO 2 measurements, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to understand the different components that can lead to transmission risk from musical performance and risk mitigation. In addition, it is important to understand methods that can be used to reduce infection risk. There is less known about the risks of airborne infection from other musical performances, such as playing wind instruments or performing theater. Outbreaks from choir performances, such as the Skagit Valley Choir, showed that singing brings potential risk of COVID-19 infection.