Your AMTA COVID-19 Task Force remains available to support and serve the professional and student community. We welcome messages or calls to action related to COVID-19 as we continue to monitor the needs of our greater music therapy community. We have reviewed and maintained our collection of resources by content area on AMTA’s “COVID-19 Resources for Music Therapists and Students”
https://www.musictherapy.org/about/covid19_resources/
including links to:
· Service provider resources: https://www.musictherapy.org/about/covid19_resources_service_provider_resources/
· Infection prevention and control: https://www.musictherapy.org/about/covid19_resources_infection_prevention_and_control/
· Self care resources: https://www.musictherapy.org/about/covid19_resources_selfcare_resources/
As the Coronavirus becomes endemic and conditions change in each locality where music therapists practice, it may be helpful to develop a decision-making process to balance client needs, risks and safety of everyone involved.
AMTA members are encouraged to consider the Risk Mitigation Decision-Making Model ( https://academic.oup.com/mtp/article-abstract/41/1/93/7146541?redirectedFrom=fulltext ) for a resource to assist in making the best decisions related to service delivery given changing circumstances.
There does not seem to be updated information regarding the impact of singing on the spread of COVID-19 beyond what we learned early in the pandemic. There is more information emerging about the treatment of respiratory/pulmonary issues and vocal recovery related to infection and long COVID. Music therapists may benefit from this knowledge both for their own application and to promote the use of music therapy in treatment for those who may be experiencing these illnesses.
The following articles provide information relevant to vocal health and singing after COVID-19 infections and treatment, and how to re-engage in singing activities after illness. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.14424
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9666372/
The Scottish Opera has resources for using breath and singing to help with recovery of long COVID. https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/join-in/breath-cycle/
This scoping review examined the use of singing interventions in pulmonary rehabilitation (not only COVID-19), and gives recommendations for developing singing interventions. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/2/1383
Continue to follow the CDC website to keep up to date on recommendations for safety and prevention, particularly in your clinical settings. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
Vaccine updates
This fall is a good time to update your flu and Covid vaccines. Even if you are not at risk for serious illness, getting vaccinated helps to protect the vulnerable people around you, including those you work with.
The CDC now recommends a new Covid booster for everyone ages 6 months and older. Read more details at cdc.gov
An annual influenza vaccination is also recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older. Read more from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
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