How To Safely Protest, Rally And Vote During The Coronavirus Pandemic

26Views

June 13, 2020

Protestors wearing masks and distancing as they cross the Brooklyn Bridge.

Ira L. Black / Corbis via Getty Images

This month Americans more than ever are exercising some of their most fundamental rights: taking to the streets in protest over police violence and voting in primaries for a variety of elected offices—from local representative to the next president of the United States. The coronavirus pandemic is complicating both of those civic endeavors. But public health experts say there are ways to do both while minimizing your risk for catching or spreading the disease.

How To Protest Safely

The death of George Floyd on May 25 has ignited weeks of protests across America calling for police reforms and equality in the face of systemic racism. Floyd, a black man, died after a police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest.

The United States is facing two public health crises, says Dr. Jen Caudle, a family medicine physician and associate professor at Rowan University-School of Osteopathic Medicine. “One is the Covid-19 pandemic and the other is racial injustice against African Americans,” she says.”They’re peaking at the same time.”

Beyond these mass protests, during an election year, there are often demonstrations, gatherings and rallies for different political issues. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently warned that protests and rallies are a “danger” and “risky,” in an interview with ABC News. “If you’re going to be in a situation where—beyond your control there’s a lot of people around you—make sure you wear a mask,” he added.

Here’s what you should keep in mind if you’re considering attending one:

Consider your risk level. People who are immunocompromised or have certain diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, have a higher risk of severe cases of Covid-19. But it’s not just about individual risk, you should also consider the health of the other people in your household, especially if they are older or have weakened immune systems, suggests Caudle. The virus disproportionately affects African Americans and communities of color. “That’s something that we need to be very honest and transparent about,” she says, so people are informed about the risks..
Research transmission rates: Familiarize yourself with the level of Covid-19 transmission in the town and region where you plan to protest, so you understand whether you are in a hotspot. Local public health authorities and news media can be a good source for this. Johns Hopkins University also has a map that lets you look at numbers in individual counties.
Wear a mask and social distance: Political events and protests are dynamic environments with big crowds. Nevertheless, you should still try to distance from the people around you to reduce transmission. “Remember, you’re still part of the group, even if you’re not within six feet of them,” Caudle says.
Hands off: Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands as soon as you get home. “Try not to touch things and other people,” Caudle says. While linking arms or holding hands often happen in protests as a sign of solidarity, those actions should be avoided, she adds.
Get tested: Consider getting a Covid-19 test after participating in a crowded event, Caudle recommends. The Philadelphia city government suggests protesters get tested after seven days. “Those seeking testing do NOT need to identify that they were at a protest but instead should say they were near someone who may have had Covid-19,” the guidelines say.
Alternatives to in-person events: If you are in a high risk category or don’t feel comfortable gathering in-person, Caudle suggests donating money to a cause you want to support or volunteering in a virtual capacity.

How To Vote Safely

Multiple states and territories have delayed primary elections in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic as they scramble to figure out mail-in ballots and other solutions to improve safety at in-person polling locations. The presidential election is scheduled for November 3.

Susan Polan, associate executive director for public affairs and advocacy with the American Public Health Association, believes voting is a social determinant of health. “Health care is important, but what’s really important is the environment and world in which you live,” she says. The act of voting empowers people, allowing them to engage and take control: “I am participating with my community in a way that is going to make my community better,” she explains.

Polan is working with the nonpartisan group We Can Vote and several other public health and civic organizations to develop healthy voting guides that are tailored to the specific rules in each state and will be updated from the primaries to the general election. They also plan to roll out Spanish language versions. While the state-to-state specifics may vary, there are some key measures that are applicable to all geographies.

Vote-by-mail: Voting from your own home is your best bet to reduce transmission of Covid-19. If you have to walk to the closest mailbox, be sure to wear a mask and wash your hands when you return.
Vote early: In some states, polling locations open in advance of election day, so take advantage of early voting options when fewer people will be around.
Use a dropbox: If you want to do a mail-in ballot but aren’t confident it is going to be delivered on time, many polling places are offering dropboxes where you can hand deliver your ballot.
Demand a plan: Ask your polling place and elected officials what they are doing to keep voters safe, Polan says, including cleaning and disinfection protocols, social distance markings on the floor and hand sanitizer.
Wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands: If you are going to vote in-person, take the same precautions you would anywhere else: wear a mask, stay six feet away from other people and use hand sanitizer or wash your hands immediately after.
Do not bring your own wipes: While it may be tempting to wipe down the voting machine before casting your ballot, resist the urge. Voting machines can have delicate electronics and the staff at the polling place should have a cleaning and infection protocol in place, Polan says. Consider bringing your own pen if you need to sign anything.
Don’t be afraid: “This time that we’re living in is very difficult to predict,” says Polan. “Voting is something that we should all take advantage of. And there should be no obstacles to engaging in the process. That’s really what these [guides] are designed to do is make you feel safe as you participate in this process.”