1. make the space “masked required”

Making a space masked automatically makes a space more inclusive. Note, when we discuss masks we are referring to respirators like n95s, kn95s, or better. Surgical masks provide limited protection (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy 2023).

COVID can disable anyone, even healthy individuals, however, it poses an increased threat to disabled and immunocompromised individuals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2024). “Masked encouraged” spaces often have few, if any, people masked and many disabled and immunocompromised people feel unwelcome and unsafe if it is not clear masks are required. Exposure is a risk many disabled people cannot take. We have largely been excluded and forgotten in many community spaces. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act at ADA S. 36.201 “No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation.” There is no solidarity without accessibility and there is no accessibility without masking. Masking signals to the disabled community you are serious about protecting their health and that you value them as a part of the community.

It’s important to keep in mind, the more people that are present at an event, the higher the risk. We minimize this risk when we use masking as a tool. Oftentimes, I hear organizations say “We encourage folks to stay home if they are sick.” However, COVID can spread asymptomatically (Johansson et al. 2021), meaning if you’re not showing signs of being sick you can still infect others. The best way to protect everyone is for masks to be worn properly at all times.

It is important to note that a “Masked Required” policy does not equal policing people’s bodies! Generally, when you put out a policy in good faith, the majority of the community will follow through. I’ve seen this successfully executed at events, especially in tandem with some of the other strategies listed below.

2. Consider Air Quality

COVID can spread through droplets as well as airborne particles. Oftentimes we think of this happening when someone is coughing or sneezing, but it can happen just by someone talking or even exhaling! Since the virus can be aerosolized, meaning it is suspended in the air, it can spread throughout and fill a whole room, lingering even after an infected person has left the room. We’ve learned the six foot rule from the beginning of the pandemic no longer represents an adequate safety measure. The solution to this is cleaning the air in a space! Cleaner air equals fewer viruses present for someone to be exposed to and inhale. 

Cleaner air can be achieved by opening doors and windows to bring in fresh outdoor air, utilizing portable air purifiers, running HVAC fans and utilizing the best filter the HVAC system allows (US Environmental Protection Agency 2020). Another helpful tool to assess risk can be a CO2 monitor because the higher the CO2 concentration in a space, the higher the likelihood of COVID transmission (Haddrell et al. 2024). If you use a portable air purifier (E.g., HEPA air purifiers), make sure it is as close to the center of the room as possible away from any obstacles. If a portable air purifier is out of reach for your organization, you can check out if there are any lending libraries in your area or build a do it yourself air purifier called a Corsi-Rosenthal box. 

The website itsairborne.com provides more in depth information on all things air quality and COVID. Making an event outdoors can be helpful for air quality, but note it is still important to make the space masked required because the virus can still spread in outdoor settings.

3. Be Proactive & Educational in your Messaging.

Like many things in life, communication is key! Getting the word out early about an event’s COVID protocols helps your attendees prepare. You can let people know masks will be available at the event and the type of masks that work best (respirators, n95s, kn95’s or better). It can be helpful to include photos. Most importantly, this is your chance to change the narrative around masking and place liberation for all at the center of your work.

You can educate your attendees on the reasons and importance of your COVID protocols. No matter how you roll out your event, be sure to include a slide, a paragraph, a post, an email, etc. on your COVID protocols including the “masked required” policy and why you are including this policy. You can customize it to your event and audience. I suggest doing some research on how COVID impacts your community (E.g., Working class, LGBTQIA people, Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color, etc.) The ties between the pandemic and ongoing struggles for liberation across the globe are interconnected. By acknowledging these threads of connection, you and your community can start to move from a place in which prioritizing pandemic safety challenges all systems of oppression.

4. Provide Masks and Strategically Distribute

Budget for safety to supply masks at your event and be strategic in distribution to make the process as smooth as possible. If you’re in Central Iowa and need help accessing maks, Iowa Fair Air Network has a maskbloc and you can requests free masks here: fairairnetwork.com/request-masks. Otherwise, check in your area for a maskbloc. 

Strategic distribution of your masks makes a difference. I suggest a “welcome table” or check in table near the front of the venue to greet folks as they come in. Include a clear, “masked required” sign and provide all kinds of respirators (kn95s, n95s) in different styles and colors. People have all different types of face shapes/size and personal styles, so it’s best if they can choose one they like. Be sure to educate people on proper fit as well, we suggest having some visuals on mask fit like shown below and education materials on COVID risks to your community. This is another opportunity to provide education and messaging on why you’re requiring masks and how to properly wear them.

a note on testing

While testing can be an additional layer in a safety plan, masking required is the focus of this piece because it is the single most effective tool. It should be the base layer of our COVID safety approach. Testing has limitations. Rapid antigen tests are only 60% accurate, only catch symptomatic infections and need to be taken in succession over multiple 48-hour periods (Yetman 2022). It can take a week to 14 days to get a positive result, so you can’t rely on a single negative result from a rapid antigen test. Molecular and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are much more reliable but are best taken 3-5 days after exposure. However, molecular tests are much harder and expensive to access. Testing can be more nebulous to implement as an effective safety measure.