Harm Reduction When Protesting During a Pandemic, by Aarti Patel
Graphic design by Jeremie Rose
“COVID has fed off the pandemic of racism”, says Dr. Cassanda Pierre of Boston Medical Center, disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities throughout the country. But we have seen that demonstrations and protests are critical and necessary. Protests have long been known as a physical and instinctive manifestation of righteous indignation against oppression. And they work. For those who are interested, we’ve compiled helpful information on how to be safe while protesting during a pandemic.
Reconsider attending protests if you live or care for people at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID.
There are many ways to support the Black Lives Matter movement and pursue police abolition without attending mass public demonstrations, such as joining virtual rallies, writing and calling your local council members, donating supplies, contributing to bail funds, amplifying the work of Black organizers, reading and educating yourself, offering to be the emergency contact for friends and family who protest.
Before leaving
Check your temperature before you leave your residence. If you have a fever or don’t feel well, stay home.
Consider packing the following:
Snacks
Loose change
Hair tie
Water
First aid kit
Goggles or other protective eye gear
Masks
Important contacts written down on your person
Emergency medicine, especially if you have severe allergies or asthma/other lung conditions
Wear a mask or face covering, even if you are not having any symptoms. It’s for your protection and the protection of people around you. You may sweat through your mask, so keep an extra one handy just in case.
If you are protesting in an area outside your city, look up what the COVID infection rates are in that area -- reconsider if there are spikes in cases.
Once you arrive
Most organizations and groups have water readily available for protesters, but always keep an extra bottle of water with you. Temperatures are rising, putting you at increased risk of heat exhaustion, so it's important to stay hydrated.
Look for the street medics and first aid responders -- many will have extra PPE and first aid if needed.
Wash your hands frequently! Or bring a small hand sanitizer. Refrain from touching your nose, mouth, and eyes unless your hands are clean.
Have a buddy! Police have been deploying violent tactics like kettling on protesters. This involves surrounding a group of people in order to restrict their movement, up to many hours. Keep a local legal aid number on you.
Maintaining social distance has proven difficult but remember, these are our streets. If you need to make space for yourself, do it. Even if that means not being in the middle of all the action.
Know your rights while protesting. The ACLU made a helpful guide if confronted by the police.
Pepper spray exposure
If you think you may be at risk, do not wear contact lenses
If you have access to this, wear goggles or face shields to protect yourself.
Pepper spray is oil-based, so don’t rub your eyes. Remove yourself from the area and immediately blink as much as you can to wash out some of the oil with your own tears. Then irrigate and continuously flush out your eyes with water or diluted baby shampoo, if accessible. NOT milk.
If at any point you are exposed to tear gas or pepper spray, remove the contaminated clothes as soon as possible and take a shower with soap and water.
Tear gas exposure
Tear gas is actually a fine powder, not a gas, so it’s important not to touch your face or you can rub the powder in and the irritation will last longer.
Remove yourself from the area, move to a well ventilated spot and try to position yourself against the wind. Once you are in a safe area, you can try to flap your arms up and down to disperse the substance from your skin and clothes.
If your eyes are burning, rinse them with plain water for at least 10-15 minutes.
If you’re sweating, water can activate the powder causing more burning. It’s important to avoid wiping sweat off your face, even though that may be your first inclination. If you can, find a cloth to wrap around your hairline to keep sweat from dripping into your eyes. You can find more info on tear gas exposures here.
After the protest
When you get back home, put your clothes and your mask in the laundry or throw it in the washing machine. Regular-strength detergent and a clothes dryer on hot will kill the virus. This is especially important if you live with or care for elderly or immunocompromised people. If feasible, take a shower with soap and water as soon as possible.
Continue using household disinfectants on any surfaces around the house, wearing masks and physical distancing, or at least 3 feet from other people you live with. These steps can significantly reduce the risk of transmission to other people you live with.
Monitor yourself for any COVID related symptoms and take note of your mental and physical well-being.
You can get tested for COVID within 5-7 days of protest- the average incubation time for the virus. Cities like Boston, Dallas, Seattle, and Minneapolis offer free testing to protesters. NYC has over 100 free testing sites as well.
Most importantly, be safe, be radical, be revolutionary. See you in the streets.
Helpful links:
How to Maintain Your Digital Privacy at Protests
Stay Healthy to Stay in the Streets
Shit! We're Gunna Get Arrested!