How To Protest Safely During The Pandemic

https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a32723435/protest-safely-during-pandemic/



Last Monday, a 46-year-old Minneapolis man named George Floyd was killed by a police officer named Derek Chauvin. Chauvin put his knee on Floyd's neck for close to nine minutes, including the three minutes when Floyd was unresponsive. Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder.

This happened in the middle of a global pandemic, but cities across the world are holding protests filled with residents who want to speak out against unjust deaths in the black community. People are suiting up in masks, grabbing signs, and taking to the streets to protest violence from police and yet are still coming up against more violence from police. Although many of these protests are peaceful, dangers mount as law enforcement and the National Guard presence increases.

But with all of these protests going on, there is another danger that still exists: COVID-19. Here are some ways you can stay safe and healthy as you speak out for what you believe in in the coming days. There are plenty of pandemic risks to be aware of right while you're standing in solidarity with other protesters. Dr. John Swartzberg, who focuses on infectious diseases at UC Berkeley, told BuzzFeed News that it's important to wear goggles, glasses, and some other eye protection.

"We don't know how important a face shield is or goggles are, but we think it's sufficiently important that we have healthcare workers wear a face shield," he said. He also added that screaming, as one does at a protest, expels a lot more droplets of the coronavirus disease in the air. "Screaming is going to expel lots more particles with a lot more force," he said. Tear gas, he added, can attack the respiratory system, much like the coronavirus: coughing, gasping for breath, and feelings of asphyxiation are all normal.

Here are some tips for how to stay safe from both the virus and the harmful weapons you might come across at a protest.

Wear a mask..........

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