Backstage Protocols

There's been some reporting about changing COVID-19 protocols for performing arts audiences, for example, Joshua Kosman's article about San Francisco Opera retaining its masking requirement, but not much that I have seen about what's happening offstage. That is, how are arts organizations protecting their performers and crew, whether instrumentalists, singers, actors, stage crew, or ushers?

You might remember that earlier in the pandemic, San Francisco Symphony and West Edge Opera both had to cancel a performance because of late-breaking positive COVID tests.

I asked San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Symphony about their current protocols, and here's what these organizations told me. I'm planning to ask around a bit more; many organizations know me from my reviews.

• San Francisco Opera: "The Company continues to meet with the team of UCSF doctors who have guided us since the beginning of the pandemic. We have testing protocols in place for aerosol generating activities (rehearsals and performances) that are responsive to the community risk level."
• San Francisco Symphony: "Our current protocols require that musicians receive symptomatic testing, and chorus and vocal soloists are tested prior to each service. Additionally, the San Francisco Symphony requires full vaccination for all musicians and staff to participate in any Symphony-sponsored activities at Davies Symphony Hall, Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall, or any other locations of such activities. Our current protocols were made based on guidance received from the San Francisco Symphony’s Health and Safety Task Force—which includes medical professionals from UCSF and private practices—and the organization remains as nimble as possible and we may adjust protocols in response to new guidance as we receive it."

So...I certainly see some potential gaps here: "responsive to the community risk level" might mean that testing depends on case rates in San Francisco or some larger geographic area. "Symptomatic testing" means that people with asymptomatic cases aren't getting tested. Do wind players generate less aerosolized risk than singers? As expressed, that is the assumption.