What is a “Mask Bloc” anyway?
Next week we’re hosting a Zoom discussion we’re pretty excited about, “All About Mask Blocs”. If you’re not familiar with mask blocs, you may have wondered what the heck they are. Mask blocs are local volunteer-run groups that obtain masks, and sometimes other public health items like COVID tests and air purifiersDevices designed to remove contaminants from the air to improve quality., to distribute to their community. They may get these items from donated goods or they may purchase items with their own money or donated funds. Then they distribute those items for free to people in their communities. Some people can’t afford to get the tests and masks they need, and in some areas, they just may not be available. These mask bloc groups are usually anonymous and frequently run on traditional anarchist principles of community care and harm reduction without having a hierarchy or formal leaders.
Mask blocs grew exponentially in the U.S. as soon as COVID exploded in the country. A website called https://maskbloc.org was developed to share information about what mask blocs are and to list them all by country and state. You may be able to find a mask bloc near you in their listing. If you’re on social media, you may also want to search for “your area” and “mask bloc” on Instagram. It seems like new accounts of small local mask blocs are being formed every day. That platform has dozens of mask bloc groups that might not be listed on the maskbloc.org website.
Mask blocs frequently encounter problems with logistics: how to get free or donated masks and other equipment, how to transport them, and where to store them. An organization called Toolbank (https://toolbank.org/) is working to solve some of these problems with a distributed warehouse system. PHAN is also planning on stepping in with some tools that will help connect companies and organizations that have free or discounted masks and other equipment with organizations that need those items.
Mask blocs can’t replace a broken public health environment and an inadequate healthcare system. But perhaps they can help reduce some of the harm being caused. We think the growth of mask blocs in the U.S. is a fascinating response to a healthcare system that is not meeting the needs of the people. But in the long run, it’s an indicator of what our healthcare system should be doing. We’ll have a public Zoom discussion next Thursday all about mask blocs with guests from three different mask bloc organizations in the U.S. We’ll explore why mask blocs came into existence, how they work, how people can find one near them, and maybe how you can even start one of your own in your community. We hope you’ll join us!
