Mask Bloc Waterloo Region

@maskblocwr

We provide masks, tests, air purifiers, and health information free of charge in the so-called Waterloo Region. 💙 Make requests through our linktree or website. 💙 ⭐ We are volunteer-run. Join us! ⭐

364 Folgt254 Follower618 Posts

Patreon Patreon Bluesky

Ist das dein Profil?Übernimm es — dann gehört dir maskblocwr.dirty.social.Profil übernehmen

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· 22d

Masks work! 🧵

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· 22d

About Mask Bloc Waterloo Region

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Jul 9

References:
- https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/animals-covid-19.html
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/people-with-covid-often-infect-their-pets/
- https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/covid-infection-can-damage-brains-dogs-study-suggests
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10269887/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352771423000174
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10144952/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9707573/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7641531/

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Jul 9

Several studies have found that contact reduction with pets and infected humans acts as a preventive measure and that increased interaction between the animal and the owner was linked to an increase in the likelihood of the animal becoming infected.

If you have COVID:
- wear a mask when caring for your pets, or have another member of the household care of them
- avoid close contact
- avoid sleeping in the same room
- keep your space well ventilated
- wash your hands before and after interactions
- avoid coughing and sneezing near them

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Jul 9

Cats are particularly at risk and tend to become infected at higher rates than dogs. Cat-to-cat transmission of COVID also happens — a 2023 NIH study characterized this type of transmission as “efficient”. (Photo of cute cat.)

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Jul 9

Dogs and cats living in households with people who have COVID can develop symptoms such as: loss of energy and appetite, coughing, diarrhea, runny nose and respiratory problems.

A study from a university in South Korea found that COVID causes brain-blood barrier damage in dogs. It also found that COVID infection in dogs and cats affects their lungs and leads to pathologic changes.

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Jul 9

One of our most popular Instagram posts, about #Covid and #pets. www.instagram.com/p/DadtDSWGc9... I'll post the information here, too. 🧵

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Apr 25

Hosting a #COVID safe(r) event? Send us a message with a brief blurb about your event that we can share on our website and social media.

Are you hosting a covid safe(r) event in/near Waterloo Region? We want to help spread the word!

Send us a message with a brief blurb about your event that we can share on our website and social media. Please include what kind of safety precautions and accessibility considerations you have in place!

Is the event online, hybrid, or in person? Are masks required or encouraged? Are you providing masks for attendees? Will you have air purifiers in the event space?

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Mar 20

misfitmentalhealth.substack.com/p/is-lack-of... #LongCovid

In case it’s unclear, I’m frustrated. I’m pretty annoyed we’re still thinking about “awareness”. I’m insulted that we’re supposed to be happy about the scraps and be grateful for a single day, or even month, to “honor our cause”. We desperately need something more action-oriented and substantive to support people living with LC, but why is awareness where we’re still so stuck?

Stephn Fowler, LCPC, CADC
Is Lack of Awareness the Problem?

MisfitMentalHealth.Substack.com

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Mar 1

Great team out for Food Not Bombs KW monthly masked cook yesterday!

Eight people in masks of various colours posing. One holds a box of pastries. There are bread bags on the tables beside them.

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Feb 27

Cute mask alert! Contact us if you'd like one. Contact information at maskblocwr.org.

Thanks to one of our community members we have a small selection of patterned kn95 masks.

If you have a job interview or special event coming up you can request on of these select styles. We have 4 of each style. 20 patterned masks total.

Photo of five styles of kn95 masks in different colours, each with a floral pattern.

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Feb 25

Masked cook this Saturday with FNB. Good contingent already for cooking and serving, but more people are needed for cleanup.

Monthly masked Cook
The last Saturday of every month at Food Not Bombs is a masked cook, in collaboration with Mask Bloc WR!
All volunteers are required to mask for our masked cooks, and masks will be provided.
@fnb_kw and maskblocwr
Volunteers are needed for clean up

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Feb 10

For those in the Hamilton area, or willing and able to drive there... Masked mandatory game night, February 20.

Poster for Mask Mandatory Game Night
At Pinch Bakery and Plant Shop
182 Sherman Ave N., Hamilton
Feb 20, 7:00 PM to 10:00 pm
RSVP Necessary | PWYC Tickets
More information....

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Feb 9

Bolo Tie Line Boot Scootin' Birthday dance, March 7th, masks mandatory. From Instagram: www.instagram.com/p/DUVxv4bgHb...

Queer country line dancing
Hepcat Swing
Mask Mandatory
Bolo Tile Line's
Boot Scootin' Birthday
(Picture of cowboy boots in grass.)
March 7th, 6:30 PM doors
$15 online tickets
$10 Bipoc tickets

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Feb 1

Masked Cook with Food Not Bombs KW yesterday went well!

Thank you @fnb_kw for continuing to host monthly mask mandatory cooks/food distribution
Photo of table with masks, tests, and Covid information
We love being able to connect with people in person. Today we were able to get dozens of people the correct size masks and to answer questions.
A few people even collected extra masks and business cards to give out to their neighbours!

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Jan 29

2/2

Where to start wearing a mask again***
For those who can, we recommend wearing a mask in as many public spaces as possible because people deserve safe and equitable access to the spaces they want and need to go to. At the very least, we suggest wearing a mask in the following spaces:
Public Transit, Grocery Stores, Heath Care
These are shared community spaces that many people rely on regularly and have been common sites for transmission. Remember, you don't have to start masking everywhere, every day, right away - but each time you wear a mask, you make it safer for everyone.
*** See disclaimer on the last two slides for more info.

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Jan 5

#COVID #vaccines protect children from severe illness per the CDC with a 76% reduced risk of emergency department and urgent care visits in kids 9 months to 4 years and a 56% reduced risk of ED visits in kids 5 to 17 years. From www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...

COVID-19 vaccines protect children from severe illness.
2024-24 COVID vaccines reduced the risk* of COVID-associated emergency department and urgent care visits by:
76% in chilren ages 6 months to 4 years
56% in children ages 5-17 years
Healthcare providers: Talk to parents about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines for their children.
* In the first 6 months after vaccination.

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Jan 5

The UKHSA reports show increased risk of secondary infections 28 days after the #flu and #COVID, with an overall higher risk after COVID. COVID and influenza viruses can affect the immune system’s ability to fight other infections long term. From: www.gov.uk/government/s...

Secondary infections within 28 days of Flu and Covid Infections, per 100k, England.
Bar chart shows that Rhinovirus, Staphylococcus aurus, RSV, and escherichia coli can occur after flu and Covid infections. The Covid infections are more likely to cause this, except with RSV.

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Jan 2

From @doodlesbycharlie.bsky.social on Instagram. Wishing you friends with whom you can just... be. 1/2

A four-panel comic strip.
First panel says that "masking feels lonely a lot of the time." Image shows one masked person amongst six unmasked.
Second panel says "but this year, things changed..." Image shows someone saying "hey!" to a masked character.
Third panel: "I found friends who don't mask for me, but alongside me". Image of four masked characters.
Fourth panel: "With them, I feel like I can just... be :)". The masked characters look happy in a forested setting.

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Dec 30

#CommunityCare #MutualAid 2/3

Picking one place to habitually mask again in the New Year is a way to recommit to your own health and to your values around community.

The New Year is often a time when the language of "health" and "wellness" gets co-opted by corporations just trying to sell you something.

Masking is a return to genuine well-being and care for others in a world that doesn't want us to do that.

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Dec 30

From Clean Air Club on Instagram... #Resolutions #NewYear 🧵1/3

Deciding on a New Year's resolution?
If you haven't worn a mask in a while, consider a comment to wearing a mask at one of the following places:
* Healthcare facilities
* Public transportation (buses, trains, planes)
* Grocery stores
* Running errands (post office, DMV, going in stores)

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Dec 24

This Saturday, December 27: Monthly Masked Cook with Food Not Bombs KW. #WatRegion #MutualAid For more information about volunteering, see docs.google.com/document/u/0...

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Dec 13

2/2 #Covid

Excerpt from article that says:
Whether it’s flu or the next pandemic, covid has helped embed eugenics as public health policy into the consciousness. The inconveniences in the face of a health crisis were too inconvenient. You’ll live or you’ll die by virus, but there’s no point protecting yourself or anyone else. What will be will be. The show of capitalism, with a dollop of nihilism, must go on.

Staying human in the future will mean rejecting this anti-socialism. Staying human will require the rejection of eugenics-inspired policies, whether on public health or on migration.

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Dec 12

From MaskBlocToronto on Instagram.

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Dec 9

This holiday season, give your community the gift of access to high quality masks and COVID-19 rapid tests. We are always accepting donations! - Provide financial support via PayPal (www.paypal.me/maskblocwr) - Donate unopened masks via pickup or drop off (please contact us!) 1/2

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Nov 30

Sharing because of the photo - "Monday nights are for eating" pressreader.com/article/2817...

Masked staff and customers in a food store (like a deli or bakery).

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Nov 30

From @fnb_kw Instagram: "We had a massive group of volunteers for our masked cook in collaboration with @maskblocwr! We had limited facilities today but our volunteers pulled off a home cook in time.... We serve at Kitchener City Hall every Saturday from 4:30-5:30! Special thanks to Mask Bloc"

Eleven masked people gathered behind a table of bagged bread products in an outdoor alleyway.

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Nov 24

Donations help us keep up with the demand for free masks and (especially) COVID rapid tests. At around $2 a test, even small donations help. Through PayPal, @maskblockwr.

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region: Donate!
We are always accepting donations!
* Provide financial support via PayPal (@maskblocwr)
* Donate unopened masks via pickup or drop off (please contact us!)

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Nov 21

Our table from the Trans Days of Remembrance event yesterday. Free masks and tests. In loving memory of the lives lost and in solidarity with the living forgotten. #TDoR #TDoR2025 #TransDayOfRemembrance #TransAwarenessWeek #WatRegion

Photo of table with masks, literature, and Covid tests. Sign that says Free masks and tests! In loving memory of the lives lost and solidarity with the living forgotten.
Caption Here's a look at our table from last night.
Masks, zines, stickers, and business cards
"In loving memory of the lives lost and in solidarity with the living forgotten"

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region@maskblocwr· Nov 17

Saturday, November 22. Kitchener Holiday Market. Handmade gifts from 15+ local vendors. Bake sale with gluten-free and vegan options. Free admission. Masks required and provided. #WatRegion