MaskTogetherAmerica

“Masking is grounded in my understanding of personal and community responsibility as a Haudenosaunee (“People of the Longhouse”). Briefly, we understand our responsibilities to each other as: ‘For me to enjoy peace and good health, I need you to enjoy peace and good health.’ Masking is one way I can practice cultural health and wellbeing and align my values with my actions.”—Behind hand-tanned moose hide mask is Victoria Berry (), a traveler raising awareness with .

“Long COVlD is real. I show up masked consistently, visibly and in solidarity so that masking is not seen solely as a marker of illness. Masking is a marker of care.”

The beautiful mask with raised beadwork in Haudenosaunee-style is an art piece made by Mary A. Clause. Victoria wore this artistic mask to take a special selfie for this feature. For her travels and every day, Victoria wears N95/KF94, as shown in the other photos.

Masking is an expression of humanity we cherish.

“I wear a mask for myself and my community.” —Behind the KN95 is Nikki Zender who posed for to support awareness. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, a fitting mask provides a crucial layer of protection in gatherings. Cheers to the community: and .play.chi

“I mask, because I love myself and my community. I keep up to date with scientific studies about the harmful effects a single COVlD infection and repeat infections has on the body. I believe my friends with Long COVlD when they tell me about the reality of their symptoms and I grieve my loved ones I have lost to this illness. We can’t ignore the reality. COVlD and other airborne illnesses can still harm you even if you don’t believe they can, that’s why I mask!” —Behind the Aura N95 is Ky Why interviewed by Julie Lam who writes for at a mask-required “All Vinyl, All Love” rooftop party hosted by .

“I love coming to Positive Deviance events, because they are such a great example of accessibility in our city. You can still throw amazing parties and keep each other safe by wearing masks! I also throw puppet shows and theater events that are mask required, because I believe everyone should have access to art, events and community in New York!”

“I never want to be in a position where I could have taken reasonable precautions to keep my patients safe and failed to do so.”—Behind the N95 respirator is .davidkeegan, a Family Medicine Professor who treats Long COVlD patients and follows the Precautionary Principle.

“When there’s an emerging fire, we should assume the worst until we know for sure that the fire is out or it’s a false alarm before telling everyone everything is ok.” Dr. Keegan explains that this principle stems from the SARS-1 commission, which found that waiting for “scientific proof” before acting allowed the epidemic SARS-1 to expand.

Today, the failure to prioritize precaution has been catastrophic. Dr. Keegan notes that failing to manage COVlD-19 as the airborne disease it is likely caused tens of millions of people to die and possibly 1 billion people to be impacted by post-COVlD conditions.

“SARS-CoV-2 enters through the respiratory mucosa, and induces vasculitis (inflammation of small blood vessels) across every organ. It’s not discriminatory. Every organ’s small blood vessels are at risk for severe inflammation and damage.

Preventing every COVlD infection matters. “That’s why I ask everyone to mask.”Dr. Keegan was recently appointed to chair Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Preventive Health Services. Join us to congratulate him!

“I wear a mask because I know too much about the damage COVlD and Long COVlD do to our immune system and organs. Not wearing a mask would be intentionally inflicting harm on myself and others.”—Behind the KN95 is Patrick Cote .m.c who’s the co-host of .

“As an activist I’m massively disappointed in a majority of the left for not masking indoors. The lack of curiosity to investigate the actual science about a literal pandemic we’re all living in is a sad revelation. I see so many folks with Long COVlD with so little solidarity from the left.”

Big hugs to Patrick! We are a community where patients and their allies find support from one another. Spread love, not virus! 💗😷

🚨The Hidden Crisis of Long COVID Underdiagnosis

An A.I. investigation of health records reveals a massive “blind spot” where more than 56% of Long COVlD (LC) cases may be missing from official records, reports. Health reporter Lauren Clason highlighted the surveillance study that focused on the heterogeneous impact of LC—exposing the harsh reality of people living with  multi-systemic chronic conditions following an infection of SARS-CoV-2, who are being denied disability support and access to care.
 
Data from the JAMA study shows that 89.31% of LC patients have at least 1 chronic condition. Clason interviewed Julie Lam, a representative for and the LC community at NIH RECOVER, who struggles with COVlD-triggered organ damage and multiple debilitating symptoms since the winter of 2021, even while being up to date with vaccination. It was not until recently that CoRE Mt. Sinai () officially diagnosed her with Long COVlD.
 
“As someone who waited 3 years for a LC diagnosis, I know how critical it is to move past ‘diagnoses of exclusion,” Lam says. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her lived experience to advocate for this marginalized community. “What I appreciate most about Lauren’s reporting is the deep dive into Prof. Hossein Estiri’s JAMA study—while centering the voices of patients, providers and caregivers. Uncovering the root causes of inequality in our healthcare system is crucial. This is the kind of journalism that moves the needle on Long COVlD care and coverage.” 
 
Read: Long COVlD Underdiagnosis Poses Broader Care, Coverage Hurdles By Lauren Clason [bit.ly/BloombergLaw_LC_Underdiagnosis]

“Long COVlD ripped my life apart, leaving me with confusion, frustration, and pain.”
—Behind the 3M N95 is Tank Prusha ( ), a trans photographer/filmmaker who developed the multi-systemic condition following an infection of COVlD in Dec 2021, during the first Omicron wave. Tank continues to work and volunteer for the wonderful students at , despite his LC symptoms worsening over the years, affecting his lungs and the brain.
 
“My first infection in December 2021 hit my system HARD, but I continued to neglect my body as I had been taught to do by capitalism. My lack of knowledge about airborne illness and well-fitted respirators caused me to decline fast due to more COVlD infections.
 
Working class people under capitalism are often trained to “just push through” no matter how bad their body feels. On top of endless responsibilities and work just to survive, we often push ourselves far beyond our capabilities in order to engage in activism and to be present in our communities!
 
In December 2024, after 6 months of bronchitis symptoms, I hit a new low. My shortness of breath and chest pain got so bad one night that I was terrified that I would stop breathing in my sleep. My physical symptoms had snowballed along with fear, depression, OCD and complete exhaustion.”
 
Tank shares his arduous struggle for recovery to raise awareness with .
 
“I wear a mask in all public settings and at home, in areas that I share with people who don’t mask, because the role that I play in my community is invaluable. Masking and pacing are the most helpful tools in my tool belt as someone with LC. In revolutionary times where everything feels so make-or-break, so now-or-never, so end-of-the-world, pacing can feel eerie and uncomfortable for working class people. And yet, I pace and I mask because chronic illness may change the ways I help my community but it will never stop me.”
 
We agree with Tank. Take care of yourself because you matter.

“At the Forest Moon Festival (a Star Wars themed fest here in our area), my whole family masked up underneath the cosplays, but sadly I’m the only person comfortable with sharing pictures!!!”— Ruth () dressed up as Ewok Jedi, wearing a N95 under the cosplay.

Ewok Jedi Knight was discovered by Luke Skywalker on Endor and brought into his New Jedi Order. This Ewok wore matching Jedi robes and famously used a blue-bladed lightsaber to defend fellow Ewoks from Sanyassan enslavers.

“Underneath my cosplay I always wear a mask and this time was no exception! I encourage you to join the movement! Sharing masked selfie is fun! We send a stronger message together!”