Covid-19 policy
Our praxis is rooted in deep care and consideration for our community, particularly those who are most vulnerable. For this reason all meetings will be masks required.
The Covid-19 pandemic never ended and unfortunately since 2020 it's only gotten worse. As most people have abandoned Covid precautions, there have been several mutations that have developed and are increasingly vaccine resistant. It is unfortunate that both the Biden and Trump administrations have pushed propaganda to minimize the impact of Covid and normalize mass death and illness in the pursuit of "normalcy" and profit. We reject normalizing this and placing the dead bodies of our loved ones and community members at the altar of capitalism.
Approximately half of all Covid infections are asymptomatic, meaning you wouldn't even know you had Covid because you'd feel fine and not show any symptoms. This is why it is best practice for us all to wear a mask while gathering to mitigate the spread of Covid and other respiratory illnesses. For resources to learn about the short and long term impacts of contracting Covid-19, click here.
Why caring about Covid and taking precautions is important to us:
The spread of disease is a legacy of colonialism, and in order to reject colonial norms we work to mitigate the mass spread of illness and refuse to contribute to the statistics of the 7+ million recorded people who have died of Covid since 2020 (this statistic reflects a low estimate as of 2024).
Covid disproportionately impacts the BIPOC community, working class people, disabled people, and trans people. Wearing a mask helps mitigate the spread to communities who are already often experiencing financial hardship, have limited access to healthcare, and/or have limited structural and communal supports if they fall ill (whether acutely or longer term)
While some people are at higher risk of developing long Covid, 1 in 5 people develop long Covid after even just 1 infection. Young and healthy people are also at risk, however we pay particular care for disabled/immunocompromised people who are in public spaces.
Wearing a mask is community defense in practice. We can't organize effectively if we're all sick and/or disabled.
Wearing a mask also disrupts mass surveillance technologies. AI facial recognition programs have difficulty identifying people when they are wearing a mask. This is a part of our security culture practice while in public spaces that are heavily surveilled.
We will have KN95 and N95 masks available every day of the event if you are unable to source them yourself. If you'd like to buy decorative masks, we recommend Kind Masks or the Mix n Match option at WellBefore, and for glasses wearers we recommend these anti fogging masks.
To protect ourselves and each other, all participants will be expected to agree to the following upon purchase of a ticket:
To wear a KN95, N95, or better quality mask in all indoor gathering spaces during our time together (no cloth or surgical masks).
Not to take your mask off while we are gathered indoors.
To eat in the suggested outdoor eating spaces, or if desired for increased layer of protection, in your car or away from others outdoors.
While sharing the indoor space, to only briefly pull your mask down to take a sip of water or take meds if needed and then to immediately put your mask back on.
To wear the mask over your nose and under your chin, and to pinch the nosebridge to create a better seal (we are happy to help if you need support with this).
To not attend if you are feeling sick/unwell (please email Noor & avé as soon as you begin to feel symptoms).
All locations will have at least 2 air purifiers in the room, as well as the ability to open windows for fresh air when needed. Please note that we do not guarantee to prevent the spread of Covid by requiring masks, providing masks, suggesting specific mask brands, suggesting specific protocols, or having air filtration - rather, we are doing our best to mitigate the spread with the tools we have available to us and to the best of our knowledge based on the guidance of peer reviewed research and the recommendations of the larger Covid cautious community.