Thread by @DearPandemic

1/ Q: My loved one has been out #marching over the past few days. What about #COVIDー19 and other safety risks associated with #protests and #marches?

A: Here are some #HarmReduction strategies for both the protestor side AND the law enforcement/government side:

2/ Ground Rules: don't go out if you are ill. If you do go out, try to practice #SocialDistancing (staying 6 feet apart) and try not to touch your face.

3/ Tips for individual protestors:
😷 Wear a #mask and keep it on. You will be in close proximity to others and also potentially yelling/singing (which may increase risk through increased projection of viral droplets).

4/
🧴 Carry #handsanitizer. If you can't get to a place where you can wash your hands, this is very important.

🧼Wash your hands and shower when you return home to reduce any additional risk.

5/ Plan for exposure to chemical irritants like tear gas. These can travel far and you can be exposed even if you are not directly involved.
👓 Contact lenses are more likely to trap irritants, so wear glasses.
🥽 Consider safety goggles or swim goggles for extra protection.

6/
🚰 Carry water for drinking and to wash irritants out of eyes/skin. Use a bottle with a squirt top to be used in the eyes if needed.

🧢Wear suncreen/hat/long pants/sleeves. This will protect you from sunburn as well as exposure to chemical irritants.

7/
👟 Wear shoes you can walk and run in so that you may move quickly.

🍎 Carry your own snacks to minimize interactions with others.

#⃣ Write down important numbers in the event that you are separated from your phone or run out of battery.

8/
👭Go with people and/or let others know your location. Try to go with people who are close household contacts to make contact tracing slightly easier.

👤 Isolate for 14 days and get tested for #Covid_19 if you develop symptoms after you attend.

9/
💞Allow yourself time to process, rest, and talk to loved ones after participating. It can be an emotionally exhausting experience to participate in an event.

10/ If you're on the side of law enforcement or local/state authorities:

🚫Experts recommend against tear gas and other chemical irritants. We don't know the risks of these chemical agents. But they likely induce coughing and sneezing, which increases the risk of transmission

11/
6⃣ Promote physical distancing. Do not force crowds into small spaces where they are not able to maintain the 6 feet rule.

📢 Use loudspeakers, megaphones, or noise makers in place of yelling. This will help to project the message while minimizing risks.

12/ These strategies are all about harm reduction. While most activities carry risks, we can minimize cumulative and collective risks.
We are thinking of all of you during this difficult time and hope these tips can empower you to minimize risks in your daily lives!