Buzz
While we've been avoiding large crowds to stay safe over the past few months, protests, much like healthcare services and (of course) takeout margaritas, are vital for our collective well-being.
I can't guide you on how to protest securely in a pandemic because both pandemics and protests come with inherent dangers. You're already aware of the risks of a pandemic, but protests also bring dangers—beyond just the crowds—especially in how they’re policed.
Reduce the risks to yourself and those around you
Risk isn’t a simple yes or no—it’s more of a spectrum. Some activities carry a higher risk of infection than others. To reduce the chances of contracting COVID-19 at a large gathering like a protest, here are some steps recommended by epidemiologist Eleanor Murray:
If you feel unwell, stay home
Wear a mask and protect your eyes
Keep a safe distance from others and limit your interactions
Bring hand sanitizer
Use signs and noisemakers, as shouting generates a lot of small droplets
Stick with a friend to help minimize your exposure to unknown contacts
Consider quarantining yourself for 14 days afterward
Jessica Malaty Rivera recommends these additional measures to stay healthy after you return home:
Shower and wash your clothes (this helps remove germs, including any residue from substances like tear gas)
Disinfect your personal items
Rest, hydrate, and focus on your mental well-being
While these steps don’t guarantee you won’t contract the coronavirus, they can help minimize your risk. It’s also important to note that outdoor gatherings tend to be less risky than indoor ones, and many protest organizers emphasize physical distancing, often asking participants to stay six feet apart.
You can offer your help and contribute to causes from the comfort of your own home.
If you're feeling unwell, have been exposed to a potential risk, or just prefer not to be around crowds, there are still alternative ways to support activist movements without physically attending a protest.
Protest organizations often need people to handle important behind-the-scenes tasks. While these roles may not be glamorous, they are essential. You might assist with managing social media accounts, coordinating volunteer sign-ups, making phone calls, or handling other duties that don't require you to be there in person.
Other ways to support activism without being physically involved include donating money and offering snacks or other necessary supplies to those who are protesting.
If you're not part of an organized group, you can still offer help to friends and family. Perhaps you could take care of children or give someone a ride so they can attend a protest. Just remember to include these interactions in your 'contact budget' and refrain from doing so if you're feeling unwell or have decided to quarantine yourself.
Demand that police and local governments stop putting people's lives in danger.
Although protests inherently carry some risk due to the gathering of people, police actions can escalate the danger. Beyond direct violence, their actions can also jeopardize public health by increasing the risk of spreading the coronavirus. For example:
“Kettling” protesters into confined spaces causes overcrowding
Arresting and holding protesters indoors raises the risk of COVID-19 transmission
The widespread use of tear gas by police this week may lead to respiratory infections, according to Army research.
If you're concerned that protests might increase coronavirus cases, the real solution is tackling the root cause of these protests—police violence. Push your elected officials to hold the police accountable, defund their departments, and explore policy solutions at Campaign Zero. And what's a highly visible way to demand change right now? Protesting.
