CORONAVIRUS
” We did whatever we were supposed to do,” one choir member said.
MOUNT VERNON, Wash.– It was early in Washington state’s coronavirus crisis when the Skagit Valley Chorale gathered for a rehearsal.
No “stay inside” requireds had been offered yet. Big groups of 250 people were still allowed to gather. Numerous members of the chorale are over the age of 60, so everybody took preventative measures that were then suggested to restrict exposure to the coronavirus. It ended up not to be enough.
On March 10, the choir gathered for rehearsal. About 60 people, or about half a choir, showed up. Nobody revealed any symptoms.
” We welcomed everyone at the door with hand sanitizer,” member Ruth Backlund stated. “No one did any handshaking or hugging.”
Within days, Ruth and her spouse were among 45 choir members who fell