WE DID IT!
HV Mask Week: September 15-21, 2024



Thank you to all who were a part of this awesome effort!
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WHAT: 
A week-long action where we asked everyone in the 845 to commit to masking up for 1 week. We aimed high!


WHEN:
September 15 - 21, 2024

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WHY: 
So many whys! Here are just a few (and we invite you to click each pink text for more info).

  • Because "we keep us safe(r)" is a verb and we all have some power and agency to care for one another. 

  • Because we hear folks wanting to opt back into masking but say they feel alone or ashamed, so we're doing this together. 

  • Because COVID and Long COVID statistically impacts Indigenous, BIPOC, & 2SLGBTQ+ the most and we don't want to see these folks fall by the wayside or be failed long term by the current systems who already discriminate against us.

  • Because mask bans target protestors & we're not cool with that.

  • Because we can't all get free without a disability justice lens.
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(And if this is all new information, we invite you to read some of the other materials in our "COVID-19 & Accessibility Resource Guide" here.)
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FINE PRINT: 
We told folks: you don't have to do this "perfectly", but we'd be so so thrilled if you participated as many days as possible. Literal harm reduction in real time, as masks are a proven tool to stop spreads.

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We did FREE mask giveaways across the 845 leading up to The Big Week. Please reach out for free masks or rapid tests anytime!


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Outdoor Masked Photoshoot!
09/18 at 5PM in Newburgh


We held an Outdoor Masked Photoshoot with local photographer @Sabrina Kee of @HV CHARM! As part of #HVMaskWeek, we were THRILLED to collaborate on this offering & invited our community to come get a professional photo in your cutest outfit/mask. It's important to document this time & to show folks what a flex it is to mask up.


COVID SAFETY: this event was fully outdoors with KN95/N95+ masks required at ALL times. We also believe it's best practice to test up before attending community events, so all attendees had to send a photo of a negative test by 5PM DAY-OF via DM or email to celebrate845 @ Gmail. Masks & tests were available on site for folks who needed. 
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ROLES:
Here were some of the roles we invited our community to step into! We're so grateful to work with you & let YOU guide how this needed to happen in YOUR community. We asked questions like: what might work where YOU live? What spots do YOU think should have masks available? What folks can YOU call in to join or amplify?

  • Participant: folks who agree to mask up during mask week. We're with you!

  • Amplifier: can you invite folks to be part? Your customers, your staff, your mailing list, your following, your neighbors, your co-workers, etc. Can we collaborate on social posts? How can you help call folks into this action?

  • Mask distro: can you help get masks into people's hands? This can include being a mask pick-up spot, hosting pop-up pick-up hours in a public place, helping transport masks across the Valley, dropping masks at places like little libraries and community fridges and bus stops, etc.

  • Flyering: can you help us post flyers across the 845? At your shop, in your town, wherever they can go, help us spread the word on the streets! To print flyers, click here.

  • Designer: we've got some designs but are always looking for more. If this calls to you, let's talk.

  • Translator: can you help us translate our materials into other languages?
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  • Dreamer: if there's another way you can picture yourself getting involved, let's talk! Wanna host us for a conversation prior to Mask Week? Or is there another way you see yourself being part?
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If you already always mask up- we love you!
If you've been on break- we hope this brings you back!
If you wanna help out- let's chat.

Masking = harm reduction = anti racism = community care = solidarity = everything


Partners in solidarity!

HUGE thanks to the people, places, organizations, etc. who helped champion this effort!

Note: not all of the locations listed are mask required spaces, but these locations helped us move resources before and during Mask Week.
​We will signify if they are a mask required space.​
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Black Cat Bulk Goods

Fun fact: Black Cat runs a HEPA air purifier at all times in their space, offers online shopping, and you can get your order brought outside to you. They're open to folks making masked shopping appointments and will be masking up during Mask Week!
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*Not a masks required store at this time
Candyce (*Sept. 7 only)

Look for Candyce outside of The Ritz Theater on Saturday, September 7! She'll be outside with free mask kits. This is also right next to the Newburgh Farmers Market- check that out too!
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  • Mask Hub: pick up FREE masks outside of The Ritz! (107 Broadway, Newburgh, NY 12550) 
    From 9:00 - 11:00AM ONLY on Saturday, September 7. Fully outdoors.

There is paid metered parking on Broadway, or free parking in the Ann Street lot about 1 block away. (Use "Ann Street Gallery" in GPS. The lot is across the street.) The sidewalks on Broadway are wide and flat, and the area outside of The Ritz is shaded.
​Comrades at SUNY New Paltz

#ShameOnSUNYNewPaltz! We deeply condemn this racist, ableist, Zionist institution, which showed its true colors during the violent arrests in Spring 2024. Luckily there are some comrades on campus who are committed to community care via masking. Solidarity to these students! 
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  • Mask Hub: pick up FREE masks on SUNY New Paltz campus! To connect with our student liaison, DM them on Instagram here or contact us to be connected.

  • Connect: if you are on SUNY New Paltz campus and would like to connect with other COVID cautious comrades, send us your email and we'll connect you together! Contact us here.
Cosmic Doghouse Press

Fun fact: Cosmic Doghouse Press has been a mask hub for a minute! They strive to distribute to folks who are low income, need masks, and don't have access. All of their events are masked when indoors too, which we love to see! 
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  • Mask Hub: pick up FREE masks at Cosmic Doghouse Press studios in midtown Kingston! To get masks at their studio, folks can attend an event, email here, or DM on Instagram here if they'd like to arrange for pick up. 
Chroma Hair

Fun fact: Chroma is the ONLY Hudson Valley salon that we're aware of that's required masks inside since 2020! The biggest flex! They are queer friendly, neuro-spicy friendly, and are well versed in working with varied hair types and textures. We love Chroma!!
Harana Market

"We can participate by amplifying and distributing. Leading up to the event, we will repost on Instagram stories and can print one of your flyers to post on our community board. During the week event, we can have an area in our informational vestibule for y’all to distribute masks and informational pamphlets."
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HV CHARM

Fun fact: HV CHARM has consistently required masks in their space in Newburgh and has an air purifier inside. A sensory-aware space that hosts coworking and other programming. Tap in!
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  • Event: we were thrilled to work with Sabrina Kee of HV CHARM to offer a FREE & MASKED photoshoot. A free event, but donations are welcomed from participants or from community members who have had the privilege to have their photo taken in COVID-unsafe environments to support the photographer. Donate here.

    Access info below!
    Facebook event here!
    ​Instagram post here!
The Institute for Animal Happiness

"We are on board with our friends Celebrate845 to support community! We keep us safe!"
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  • Mask Hub: pick up FREE masks at The Happy Cart! Wednesdays from 4:30 - 6:30PM outside of People's Place (17 St. James Street, Kingston NY). Also get some free vegan food!
Lawlor's Package Store

Fun fact: the owner of this shop has a Master's Degree in Public Health! He masks all the time and has some really amazing insights about why protecting ourselves and each other is still super important. Ask questions!
Manny's Art Supply

Fun fact: as of 2022, long time employees of Manny's purchased the shop and now co-own it! This space is super queer friendly and offers art supplies, hair dye, and lots more.
Prisoner's Brain Trust

We're so honored to be tabling at the 5th Annual Attica Uprising Community Remembrance Day event, as folks in prisons continue to be hit super hard by COVID (more info here). Don't know what the Attica Uprising is? Click here.
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  • Mask Hub: pick up FREE masks at the 5th Annual Attica Uprising Community Remembrance Day event (Poughkeepsie Waterfront) from 2:00 - 6:00PM on Saturday, September 14, 2024.

    Fully outdoors! Ample space to social distance. Limited seating available (bring a chair or blanket). Some shade (bring a hat or sunbrella). Primarily flat, grassy land with paved pathways. Grass is short. Near water (bring bug spray). Music show (bring hearing protection). Accessible bathrooms and accessible parking available. 
Rally Middletown

Intersectionality is key! Rally Middletown has worked with us from the start to provide accessibility info and free masks at their weekly gatherings for Palestinian liberation. 
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Thrift 2 Fight

"We'll commit to masking and having everyone working at Thrift 2 Fight mask during their time in the store during Mask Week. And will help spread the word about masks available at T2F and other participating businesses!"
Upstate Granola

Fun fact: Upstate Granola always masks while they make their products and they are the only masked vendors at the Kingston Farmer's Market!
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  • Mask Hub: pick up FREE masks at Upstate Granola booth at the Kingston Farmers Market! Every other Saturday starting August 10 from 9:00AM - 1:00PM at Ulster County Courthouse parking lot (285 Wall St  Kingston, NY 12401). Rain or shine.
The Yard

Fun fact: The Yard made their own BEAUTIFUL structure that will be around all year long! Visit it by their entrance for masks, zines, tests, etc.
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  • Mask Hub: pick up FREE masks at The Yard (4 Hanna Lane, Beacon NY) at any time! This is a permanent hub. When you drive towards The Yard parking lot, the Mask Hub is to the left, attached to the wooden structure where the dumpsters are located.


Thank you to all other supporters, including the orgs below AND the individuals not listed who are making this all HAPPEN!

organize - recognize - celebrate!