Viral Spread Mitigation and Risk of Infection Disease Transmission in Flute Playing - Texas Tech University School of Music and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

The current COVID-19 crisis is bringing into question the safety of musical rehearsal and performance. Current governmental suggestions for containing viral transmissions do not specify precautions for environments such as wind sections of orchestras and bands. Aerosol spread in flute playing occurs as the flutist's airstream splits crosses the lip-plate and as the flutist's air exits the flute through the footjoint. The flutist's air also escapes through the tone holes, though at a much slower speed. This study tested accessories that may mitigate potential viral spread related to the flutist's aerosol production. Two devices were included in the experiment: 1) the Win-D-Fender™, originally designed to block wind from interfering with the flutist's airstream when playing outdoors, and 2) the Rose Johnson attachment, or "Flute Boot," a lightweight cloth "sock" attached to a silicone ring which slides over the end of the footjoint.

The study hopes to provide a clearer understanding of the extent to which these accessories impact the mitigation of COVID-19 sized particles. The TTU study not only measured aerosol particles but also tested for the spread of biological content.

The researchers on the study include Principal Investigator Dr. Lisa Garner Santa, Professor of Flute and Associate Director for Faculty Development in the School of Music, Dr. Michael San Fransicso, Dean of the Honors College, Professor of Biological Sciences and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Dr. Karin Ardon-Dryer, atmospheric scientist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences, and Dr. Emily Bailey, virologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Heath, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Data collection is complete, and the results of the study are forthcoming.  

 

_{Image Source: https://win-d-fender.com/}