Pandemic Personal Safety and Protests
Written by Gena Dufour
Photo by Frankie Cordoba (Unsplashed.com)
On June 1st, 2020, thousands gathered at a Black Lives Matter protest for one of the biggest political demonstrations in Halifax history. This was an emotional Anti-Racism protest that flooded nearly the entirety of Spring Garden Road and many side streets in downtown Halifax. In an act of peaceful protest, the crowd took a knee for eight minutes and forty six seconds: the same length of time that former police officer Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on George Floyd’s neck in Minneapolis on May 25th. This horrific act of police brutality by Chauvin, who was later charged with second-degree murder, sparked a series of rallies, protests, demonstrations, and marches internationally (1) (2) (3) (4) (5). Many of these protests started as peaceful demonstrations and developed into full riots in response to police reaction. Certainly, Black Lives Matter is an important ongoing movement that has caught the attention of news, media, and the general public across the globe. Unquestionably, protests are an integral way to rally for social change against systematic racism and prejudice.
Notably, however, the world remains in a pandemic due to COVID-19. It’s my personal prerogative that 2020 has just decided to throw in the towel. But just because we’re living through (at least) two major historical events simultaneously, it doesn’t mean we have to pick one battle over the other. Certainly, there must be a way to be both health and safety conscious (practice curve-flattening practices as much as possible), while also supporting the critical social causes and movements that are shaping generations. Therefore, it’s important to take a moment to think about practicing personal safety when rallying for justice against a broken social-political system. Below are some tips on helping you do so!.
First and most obvious, wear a mask. Ideally, one with two layers of cloth and a filter. The most recent recommendations are to wear face masks as frequently as possible when out and about in the world these days, especially when a 6ft/2mt distance can’t be kept. If you’re going to be around that many people, it’s literally the least you can (and should) do.
Try and maintain social distancing practices. I won’t tell you it’s going to happen. The Halifax demonstration, for instance, had thousands of people, and sometimes it’s hard to stay far away from people in a crowd. But it starts by being conscious of the space you occupy, staying close to edges of crowds instead of drifting towards the middle, and knowing when to back up.
Bring hand sanitizer with you. Use it. Share it. Then wash your hands when you get home.
Do not touch your face or mask unless necessary. In fact, try not to touch anything. Hands to yourself!
Consider alternative means of communication instead of shouting. Direct from Canada’s Health Minister Patty Hajdu and Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam, shouting has been known to spread additional droplets. Protesters are thus being advised to consider using musical instruments, drumsticks, or posters to display messages of support.
Don’t share snacks, beverages, or even posters with others outside your household bubble.
Avoid bringing personal items with you to a demonstration. Leave your purse or umbrella at home. Anything you do bring, wash or sanitize when you get home. The CDC has a list of ways to wash or disinfect common household items here.
When you get home, throw your clothes in the laundry and take a shower. It seems a little extra, but the extra exposure means extra precautions.
Monitor your symptoms and do not attend a demonstration if you have two or more of the COVID-19 symptoms.
Of course, the safest course of action would be to self-quarantine for 14 days after attending an event. If nothing else, however, be extra vigilant and cautious about visiting friends or family for 14 days after an event, and if possible, have someone else do your grocery shopping. Really limit the extent that you are going out until the incubation period has passed.
Take care of your mental health! If you are feeling anxious about COVID while you are in a crowded place, take some steps back! If you are afraid to go to a protest alone, ask someone in your bubble to go with you.
For those with pre-existing conditions or who are at high risk for severe symptoms of COVID-19, reconsider your game plan for attending events and take as many precautions as necessary.
If staying home is the best option for you, you can still support Black Lives Matter from home. Find a list of ways to support the actual protests from home here! On the larger scale, you can donate, or sign a petition (such as the justice for George petition), and you can stay aware of social media trends and updates. Voting is another way to practice social awareness without having to physically attend big rally’s. The US election is drawing nearer of course, but Canadian and other international students alike should also be aware of other municipal or provincial votes happening that can have big implications for policy and law. Finally, supporting black business owners, artists, and creators is a critical way to make a difference at an individual level, and makes it easier to support locally!
Protesting does not need to mean an enormous risk to your health. You can still support important political movements while practicing personal safety, and being mindful of your space and the space of other people. Of course, don’t make decisions lightly. People gathering is not a sign the virus is gone. We still need to take extra steps to ensure we maintain personal health safety.
*Thumbnail Picture by Julian Wan (Unsplashed.com)