The videos of people singing together on their balconies amid the coronavirus are sweet but world governments warn that singing could actually be spreading the virus.
Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say breaking out in song generates “air particles” that can carry the virus. And the louder one sings, the more particles he or she expels – increasing the virus’ chances of finding a new host to infect.
“Pre-symptomatic transmission might occur through generation of respiratory droplets or possibly through indirect transmission,” according to the report. “Speech and other vocal activities such as singing have been shown to generate air particles, with the rate of emission corresponding to voice loudness.”