What to protest: How to reduce the risk of Covid-19 when protesting

So Protesters go out on the streets of dozens of American cities In memory of George Floyd’s death, resisting police violence, Demand justice, Many are wondering if it is possible to participate safely COVID-19 The pandemic is still widespread, Take a life..

On social media, there has been much debate about the risks of crossing. How Protesters Take Risk Retaliation from the policeViolence with the hands of Protester, And there is a risk of Covid-19 infection and can infect others. And many took the risk of all these and severely criticized the protesters.

But what comes further is the long history of police violence. A miserable public health crisis of its own..

Kareem Abdul Jabbar as a basketball legend and writer Wrote in LA Times“African-Americans have lived in burning buildings for years, choking smoke because of the burning flames. American racism is like dust in the air. Until it plugs in, it looks invisible, even if it’s clogged, and as long as it keeps shining, it could potentially be cleaned anywhere it landed.”

And protesters are considering the risk of making a decision. August’s Nimtu Jr., who took part in a protest in Minneapolis on Tuesday, time“I am a 77 year old African American man. I need to worry [about catching COVID-19], But at the same time, there is the importance of going out on the street. We had to do this. If we don’t do that, the cops will avoid it again. ”

We can understand the fear that the protests will cause more Covid-19 infections and could push the US further in the fight against the virus. Atlanta Mayor Keith Challence Bottoms CNN said on Sunday She was particularly worried that the protests might already incite an outbreak in the color community Disproportionately It is affected by the virus. “We are very worried about seeing so many gatherings,” Bottoms said. “We will see this opposite side in a few weeks.”

One obvious reason why rallying seems dangerous is that maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet in a large group of people can be very difficult, if not impossible. Some health departments still urge people to try:

According to epidemiologists and doctors, the good news is that there are many ways (Besides wearing a mask) To exercise the right to protest while reducing the risk of coronavirus spread or infection on the street. The risk is never zero, but protesters can minimize harm to themselves and others. So what should you bring to the protest?

Eleanor Murray, an epidemiologist at Boston University, summarized the tips in this Saturday’s tweet.

Murray and some other health professionals have said that they spread this advice. Blame of hypocrisy — For criticism Anti lockdown protest It occurred in April and early May as a risk for Covid-19, but it does not do the same to police violence protests.

Murray revealed her position: “Yes, I blamed the anti-lockdown protest,” she said I have written.. “Yes, I #BlackLivesMatter protest. No, they are not inconsistent views. COVID is a public health emergency. So is racism. We need to fight both. “

Tara Smith of Kent State University said:

Other health professionals offer even more useful advice for protesters who may be exposed to pepper spray and rubber bullets in police conflicts.

Protective equipment such as face shields, umbrellas, safety glasses and goggles is recommended to protect your eyes from rubber bullets.

In the meantime, some protesters remind each other that they are at home if they feel sick or have a fever, helping to reduce everyone’s risk of spreading the infection.

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