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How to Start a Mask Bloc Soft Launch Version
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How to Start a Mask Bloc
Image Description: The names of the 8 collectives in a starburst pattern. From top right and read in in a circle back to the top, they read: Fight COVID NOLA, Mask Up Pittsburgh, Mask Bloc ATX, World Wide Mask Map, Masks for London, Mask Block UCD, Mask Bloc LA, and Charlotte Mask Bloc.
Table of Contents
Purpose of this Guide
What is a Mask Bloc?
What is Mutual Aid?
How Does Mutual Aid Differ from Charity?
How are Mutual Aid Groups Organized?
Who Can Do Mutual Aid?
Mutual Aid is Community Care
Community Care Saves Lives
Community Care Pushes Back Against Harm
Where to Start
Connecting to Your Community
Naming Your Mask Bloc
Connecting Online
Opening Social Media Accounts
Opening an Email Account
Other Kinds of Connections
Becoming Informed about Masks
What Are High-Filtration Masks?
Examples of High-Filtration Masks:
What Do the Letters and Numbers Signify?
Selecting Masks
Image Description: A Venn Diagram with no title that is focused on three of the most popular features in several common types of masks. The three circles comprising the diagram are labeled as follows: affordable, fits most faces, and low-key. Various portions of the circles and their intersections have the names of the masks that meet those criteria within them. In the intersection of “affordable” and “Fits Most Faces” is “duckbill.”. In the intersection of “Fits Most Faces” and “Most Common Shape” is “trifold.” In the part of “Most Common Shape” that has no intersections is “bifold.” In the intersection of “Most Common Shape” looking and “Affordable” is a “dome.” There are no mask types listed under only “Affordable” or “Fits Most Faces,” nor is there anything listed in the intersection of all three.
Tips on Mask Variety
Basic Considerations in Masking
Special Considerations in Masking
Colors
Strap Types and Materials
Ear Loops vs. Head Straps
Image Descriptions: Figure 1 (left side): Black and white line drawing of a person with short hair looking page-left. They are wearing a nondescript mask with a thick red band going around the ear (ear loop). Figure 2 (right side): Black and white line drawing of a person with short hair looking page-left. They are wearing a nondescript mask with thick red bands going behind the head (head strap).
Metals
Latex
Disability
Getting Masks
There are a few ways to get ahold of masks for distribution:
Purchasing Masks Yourself
Online Retail Sites
Manufacturers and Distributors
Popular Manufacturers and Distributors:
Getting Donations
Donations from Large Distributors
Donations from Local Community Members
Direct Donations of Masks and Other Supplies
Fundraising with Your Community
Ways to Accept Funds
Deciding How to Accept Funds
Maintaining Financial Accountability
Using Wishlists
Surplus from Local Businesses and Institutions
Workplaces
Pharmacies
Institutions
Online Auctions
Popular Auction Sites to Check:
Other Mask Blocs, Distros, or COVID-19 Advocacy Groups
Giving Out Masks
Taking and Fulfilling Direct Requests
Taking Mask Requests
Social Media DMs
Image Description: Cartoon of a corded, handheld telephone. A text bubble coming out of the receiver reads, "I need masks!" A second bubble coming in from out of frame on the right reads, "We got you!”
Phone
Email
Online Forms
Security Concerns with Requests
Security Needs are Diverse, Personal, and Individualized
Fulfilling Requests
Image Description: Cartoon illustration of a door with a handled bag sat on the stoop in front of it. Above the door, handwritten text reads, “At home drop offs.”
Pickup
Delivery
Shipping
Deciding How to Ship Masks
Using Third-Party Shipment Services
In-Person Distribution Methods
Tabling on Your Own
Tabling Safely
Making Your Table Appealing
At Events Hosted by Others
Staying Covid-Safer at Events
Random Handouts
Mask Bags
DIY Mask Bag
Image Description: A rough sewing pattern showing a circle with an 11 inch radius that has a smaller square overlaid at a 45 degree angle. Where the corners touch the edge of the circle (at about 10 and 2 on a clock face), short lines are drawn straight up and down (marked 5.75”), creating an 19.5 by 11 inch rectangle that touches the circle at the top (12 o’clock) and cuts into it by the same distance. Measurements are marked along the various edges, which have been color coded and labeled to show other dimensions of the pieces. (Source: Fight COVID NOLA)
Mask Bags for Purchase (Examples)
Self-Serve Mask Distribution
Mask Dispensers — Outdoor
Outdoor Mask Dispenser (Example)
Image description: Photo of a black bus shelter, taken from the side. It has metal mesh walls, a bench, and a pointed roof. There's a clear acrylic box (mask dispenser) on the wall with masks inside, including visible black KN95s. A sticker on the side of the dispenser reads "we keep us safe" around an image of two hands holding a mask. To the right, N Carrollton Street stretches off into the background with the sun low in the sky above it. To the left, is a red building with a black awning reading "boiled seafood" in white and a light-up sign with the Smoothie King logo.
(Source: Fight COVID NOLA)
Mask Dispenser Tips
Mask Dispensers and Displays — Indoor
DIY Mask Display (Example 1)
Image Description: Wide shot showing a display filled with mask packets. It is constructed of short lengths of thin bamboo and yarn. It's hung on a narrow brown wall from a silver-colored heavy duty command strip picture hanger by a loop at the top, and 3 clothespins hang from a length of yarn, each with a sealed packet of 10 black KN95 masks. 3 small handwritten signs in red sharpie are staged around the picture hanger. They read as follows: “Need a mask? Take a pack!,” “100% Free! Yes, really!” surrounded by tiny hand-drawn hearts, and “Happy holidays! We keep us safe!” It is tucked into the nook of a doorway on the side wall. There are 6 tiers of bamboo, so it holds a total of 18 masks at one time. On the door can be seen a hint of a Black Lives Matters poster, and the hallway carpet is a garish pattern that is unfortunately very reminiscent of images of covid virions and their spike proteins.
(Source: @SleepyKnave on Twitter)
DIY Mask Display (Example 2)
Image Description: Another example of a distribution set-up on a tan bulletin board, which has been posted to Instagram. There are wrapped packs of black KN95s pinned to the bulletin board by the packaging. There is a small ziploc bag pinned to the board with surgical masks sticking out.
There is also a flyer that reads, “Wear a mask. Protect each other. Stop the Spread. Masking is social work practice! The preamble of the NASW Code of Ethics states, ‘the primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, living in poverty.’ This includes masking properly and protecting each other from sicknesses (e.g., COVID and flu) in an ongoing global pandemic.
“Masking is disability justice! By disregarding public health protocols that ensure health and safety during a pandemic that has claimed the lives of millions, social workers are inherently devaluing the lives of those who are disabled (i.e., immunocompromised). AS COVID continues to mutate due to lack of masking, everyone is vulnerable to the possibility of a COVID infection disabling their lives regardless of vaccination status. It is unfair to put the burden on high risk folks when it comes to reminders and pleas of masking. Able bodied folks must do their part.
“Silberman, as an institution, and the Silberman student body's non- existent precautions against COVID transmission promote disease and apathy. The institution's and students' disregard for COVID harms everyone at SSSW, especially those that are disabled, immunocompromised, and chronically ill. Silberman is not only indifferent to their suffering, it promotes it.
“Each week, there continues to be 30,000 new COVID cases, at least 3,000 deaths, and at least 4,000 hospitalizations in the US (per The People's CDC). All of these numbers - especially positive cases - are thought to be severe undercounts, due to systemic neglect and obfuscation. Wear a mask, even if you're not sick at the moment. One-way masking is not enough. Masks are most effective when everyone wears one properly. Silberman School of Social Work for Disability Justice.