Singing in face shields and masks
By Denise
@petatonicsca (7070)
Japan
September 30, 2020 2:22am CST
This has been a rough start to our school year, so that is why I have hardly been online. Our school decided they would allow students to sing in music class and choir, provided that they are at least one meter and preferably two meters from the next person, and they are wearing both masks and face shields.
I am glad they want to keep us safe, and the kids are pretty good about putting on the shields (they already wear the masks all the time). But once the shield is on, and they sing, I can hardly hear them! And if I am singing or talking behind mine, they can hardly hear me. I have a microphone when I am teaching in the auditorium but in my usual classroom I don't. So I have to keep taking the shield off and then putting it back on.
Also, the shields fog up. Of course, that is because they are collecting the droplets we don't want in the air. It also means that students can't see their music. So it is pretty interesting. I have only managed to teach about half of the concepts in my curriculum so far because half the time is spent making sure the kids are safe. I hope we do stay safe!
How is school or home school going for you?
10 people like this
11 responses
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
30 Sep 20
Staying with shields for so long is really tough and uncomfortable
3 people like this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
1 Oct 20
It's hard because you can hear yourself really well but not anyone else.
2 people like this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
3 Oct 20
@petatonicsca yes...and then what is the point of music
@GardenGerty (157646)
• United States
30 Sep 20
I spend about half my day in one fourth grade, another part of the day in the other fourth grade and another part on the bus. We are not as careful as your school. We have some remote learners and my big part of the day is in a room with a very frustrated teacher. Kids have to wash their hands every hour, wear masks. That takes away from teaching time. We are having problems with some old technology and the teacher is frustrated with that as well.
2 people like this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
1 Oct 20
I hear you! We wear masks the whole day so they are not an issue. Kids wash their hands whenever they switch rooms (like when they come to music, before lunch, etc.) I have no idea how much hand sanitizer our school has gone through in the first month!
2 people like this
@jobelbojel (34730)
• Philippines
30 Sep 20
That is difficult. Here, the physical classes have not resumed. All are online.
2 people like this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
1 Oct 20
I would say that is good for your country. Hope it gets better soon for you.
1 person likes this
@erictsuma (9726)
• Mombasa, Kenya
30 Sep 20
Schools have not been reopened yet here.
2 people like this
@erictsuma (9726)
• Mombasa, Kenya
1 Oct 20
@petatonicsca Yes work is done at home.
2 people like this
@smileyDevil (271)
• India
30 Sep 20
Talking about this year, it has been really painful, but challenging.
Got to learn many new things, concepts of life, very practically.
Independence and individuality among family members has taken a new turn.
Everybody wants to be with their phones, gadgets and themselves.
If this continues, then life is gonna be very challenging, especially for famileis.
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
1 Oct 20
Yes, it's hard to spend entire months together.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
30 Sep 20
My son is adjusting to home schooling. Fortunately, we have a good internet service provider and internet connectivity is no issue and hope there won't be any so he won't have any class interruption.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
1 Oct 20
@petatonicsca Oh never thought Japan had an issue. They're number 1 when it comes to the fastest internet in the world.
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
1 Oct 20
That's good. We had some problems even in Japan with some connectivity and bandwidth.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326102)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Sep 20
We are back to normal in almost all respects. We wear masks in the vetting ring at the horse endurance rides but we're not really obliged to as we never get really close to any of the people there. I can imagine it is a bit of a nightmare (pardon the pun) to try to teach sing under your conditions.
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
1 Oct 20
That's why I'm putting up with the masks and face shields and everything else.
1 person likes this
@Overflowing (3710)
•
30 Sep 20
In church also,we sing with face mask and sometimes its hard to breath
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
1 Oct 20
My church isn't singing yet. In fact, I am doing church by listening to their Facebook live. It takes me an hour on public transport to get to my church and I'm not willing to get on a train just yet.
1 person likes this
