[New_csc_newsline] CSC Update January 2022 (action items)

[Thom Haynes]

Greetings everyone, on this 'brrrrr' day!

There is a MUCH better-formatted version of the info below available at the
following webpage, I HIGHLY suggest you read the details there, it will be
much easier to parse/grok/follow!

https://concertsingers.org/?page_id=236801

Thom

------------------------------


An update from the CSC Board of Directors:

Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and are
ready to make beautiful choral music this spring. To that end, we want to
update you on important COVID safety protocols for the rest of the
2021-2022 season, so please keep reading.

The CSC Board of Directors strongly believes that our Fall 2021
requirements for all participants to be fully vaccinated, masked, and
distanced during rehearsals and the Holiday Pops performance helped us
avoid spread of the virus between singers. With the safety of our singers,
staff, and patrons continuing to be our top priority, the CSC Board of
Directors has therefore decided to retain the following expectations for
the remainder of the 2021-2022 season:
- All CSC rehearsals and performance(s) will take place in-person and
indoors (i.e., no virtual option for participating).

- All singers/staff will be required to wear masks, properly fitted over
the nose and mouth, at all times for all rehearsals and performances. The
Board highly recommends use of a well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask, or
double-masking if using a cloth mask.

- All singers must continue to adhere to the terms agreed to in the CSC
rehearsal protocols and liability waiver as described here:
https://concertsingers.org/members/covid-waiver-and-protocols/

In addition, the CSC Board of Directors has determined that it is in the
best interest of all participants to require all singers/staff to provide
proof of staying up to date with their COVID vaccines by March 1 in order
to attend rehearsals after that date. In general, staying up to date on
vaccines means receiving one COVID booster shot as described on the CDC
website:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html
Singers must submit proof of a booster dose that includes your name, date
of booster, and dosage information. Acceptable forms of proof include, but
are not limited to, an updated CDC COVID vaccination card or dated printout
from the booster provider (e.g., Wake County Health and Human Services,
CVS, Walgreens). Documentation that does not establish that the booster was
actually obtained will not fulfill this requirement (e.g., screenshot of
booster appointment).

The CSC Board and Artistic Director are committed to these protocols
through the end of the season unless circumstances beyond our control
require us to be more restrictive. CSC will not provide exclusions or
exceptions to these restrictions.

Next steps:

For those singers who previously submitted proof of vaccination (e.g.,
singers who participated in or prepared to participate in Fall 2021/Holiday
Pops):

Click on this Google form

https://forms.gle/SGg8XuBeye2ffpst5

to submit your proof of a COVID booster dose. The form will offer you the
option to upload a copy or picture of your documentation or to indicate
that you will mail a hardcopy to Laura Moore, CSC Executive Director, 614
Morgan Creek Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 by March 1. If you have not provided
proof of a booster dose by March 1, we will be asking for your copy at
rehearsal on March 7.

For those singers who are NEW to CSC and/or did NOT participate in Fall
2021/Holiday Pops and therefore have not submitted any proof of vaccination
or booster, please follow this two step process:

Step 1: Click on this Google form

https://forms.gle/Hz7QHD6oc8HyUUko8

to submit proof of vaccination and waiver acceptance. The form will offer
you the option to upload a copy or picture of your vaccination card or to
indicate that you will mail a hardcopy to Laura Moore, CSC Executive
Director, 614 Morgan Creek Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 by January 31.  If you
have not provided proof of full vaccination by January 31, we will be
asking for your copy at the first rehearsal of the spring season on
February 7.

Step 2: Click on this Google form

https://forms.gle/SGg8XuBeye2ffpst5

to submit your proof of a COVID booster dose (even if your Step 1 proof
already indicated you’d received a booster). The form will offer you the
option to upload a copy or picture of your documentation or to indicate
that you will mail a hardcopy to Laura Moore, CSC Executive Director, 614
Morgan Creek Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 by March 1. If you have not
submitted proof of a booster dose by March 1, we will be asking for your
copy at rehearsal on March 7.

N.B. If you will not be eligible for a booster (according to the CDC
guidelines) by March 1, please skip Step 2 and instead send an email to
Thom Haynes at thomhaynes1 at gmail.com indicating the date you will be
eligible for a booster. In such cases, singers will be expected to submit
booster dose documentation no later than 2 weeks following their
eligibility date.

Questions? Please contact Thom Haynes, CSC Membership Coordinator, at
thomhaynes1 at gmail.com.

Additional resources:
- Here is a link to guidance about masks that will work for our rehearsals.
Face shields, bandanas, and neck gaiters are not acceptable alternatives to
face masks.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/effective-masks.html

- Here is a helpful link to guidance about singing while wearing a mask.
https://choralnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/A-Vocalist-Guide-to-Singing-with-a-Mask.pdf

As we’ve stated previously, the CSC Board appreciates that our members hold
diverse views on the need for and best practices regarding COVID safety
measures. However, given the recent COVID surge and the uncertainty of the
future, we believe maintaining a no-nonsense approach informed by the best
available science will help us continue to fulfill our mission to enrich
our community through beautiful choral music in the safest possible
environment for everyone. Thank you as always for your understanding and
unwavering support of CSC!