HV Mask Week 2024: September 15-21
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As COVID continues to get us sick & as mask bans creep along the country, we are inviting New York's "Hudson Valley" to flex their solidarity muscles en masse.
WHAT:
A week-long action where everyone in the 845 commits to masking up for 1 week. We're aiming high!
WHEN:
September 15 - 21, 2024
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.
(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.)
FINE PRINT:
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.
We'll be doing free mask giveaways across the 845 leading up to The Big Week. Please reach out for free masks or scroll down to view our solidarity pick-up spots!
Outdoor Masked Photoshoot!
09/18 at 5PM in Newburgh
OH SNAP: it's an OUTDOOR, MASK REQUIRED PHOTOSHOOT with @skvisualart of @hvcharm! As part of #HVMaskWeek, we are THRILLED to collaborate on this offering & invite our community to come get a professional photo of yourself in your cutest outfit/mask! It's important to document this time & to show folks what a flex it is to mask up.
RSVP above: this info will stay private & is just to assess timing (since we're working with the sunset). All ages welcomed!
WHEN: Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Outdoor hangout starts at 5PM, then photoshoot starts ~6:30PM with sunset.
WHERE: Downing Park in Newburgh! See slide 2 above. And if folks need COVID safer rides, please reach out or coordinate in the comments on social media!
COVID SAFETY: fully outdoors with KN95/N95+ masks required at ALL times. Remember that you'll be masked for your photo, so coordinate if called! We also believe it's best practice to test up before attending community events, so please send a photo of a negative test by 5PM DAY-OF via DM or email to celebrate845 @ Gmail. Masks & tests will be available on site for folks who need. Negative test on site required if you don't send a photo prior. See slide 3 above.
FREE / DONATIONS: Sabrina Kee is very generously donating her time & skills! If you're attending, or if you're a community member who has the privilege of accessing headshots without considering COVID safety, please donate what you can! Her pay links are on slide 4 above.
The tide is shifting! Community care is blossoming! Join this loving & caring community as we center access, wellness, beauty & joy.
ROLES (we need your help!):
So many roles to fill! Who wants one? (or 2... or more......) We'd be so grateful to work with you & let YOU guide how this is gonna happen in YOUR community. 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? Here are some roles we'd like to fill collaboratively:
- 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?
- 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?
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 are championing this effort!
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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!
*Not a masks required store at this time |
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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!
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. |
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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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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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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!!
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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."
*Not a masks required restaurant at this time |
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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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The Institute for Animal Happiness
"We are on board with our friends Celebrate845 to support community! We keep us safe!"
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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!
*Not a masks required store at this time |
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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.
*Not a masks required store at this time |
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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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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!"
*Not a masks required store at this time, but staff will mask up during Mask Week |
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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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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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Thank you to all other supporters, including the orgs below AND the individuals not listed who are making this all HAPPEN!
- Angry Asian Womxn
- Definitely Human Theater Company
- Fareground, Newburgh & Beacon NY
- Kingston Emergency Food Collaborative
- Sweet Freedom Farm, Germantown NY
- Rise Up Kingston
- Trans Closet Hudson Valley
- Queer Family Network of the Hudson Valley
organize - recognize - celebrate!
