Angry tenors deny they are more likely to spread virus

SINGERS have criticised guidance issued by the Welsh Government that suggests tenors are more likely to spread Covid than other choir members.

Updated information on the reopening of places of worship states there are significant risks associated with playing wind instruments and singing or chanting at a louder volume.

It claims this is due to the increased spread of droplets, or aerosols, which “rise alongside volume”.

This means the type of singer must be taken into account when risk assessing transmission in churches, as “tenors are more likely to emit more virus than altos and sopranos”, it states.

Singers on social media criticised the guidance, arguing that tenors were being unfairly victimised and that the Government must have based their advice on false information being peddled online through a so-called “meme”.

The picture, posted by the spoof Twitter account Quire Memes, is captioned “tenors found to disperse aerosols the furthest, in this in-depth coronavirus study”.

Charles MacDougall, a professional tenor, said it was “preposterous” that the Welsh Government appeared to have based their advice on incorrect social media claims.

“It is a total lack of care in getting singing going again and the investment in understanding anything about it,” he said. “That guidance is based on spoof evidence.”

The UK Government guidelines state that amateur choirs can gather in groups of six indoors and 30 outdoors.