We are an all volunteer group distributing high quality masks for free! If you'd like to request some masks you can find our form here:
If you'd like to chip in to help us buy masks you can find our donation info here:
Masking can be expensive 💸 but reusing our high quality respirators can reduce the cost. Check out our guide for how to make masking more affordable by reusing our respies 🧵
Need to buy? Check out our buying guide that has great (non Amazon!) options for purchasing.
"Why should I wear a mask outside?"
"Can you really catch COVID outside?"
Thanks for asking! We now have a little zine that answers those questions!
This is available for anyone to print! Link in replies
A variety pack we recently put together! Whether you’re returning to masking and unsure what to pick or a long-time masker who wants something new, you can always request a variety pack from us to try out different styles and sizes!
Wearing masks does not increase your exposure to microplastics. It actually reduces it. We have studies that back this up.
While people should criticize the horrible companies that make ppe, we should be careful not to spread anti-masker talking points.
Is 3M a garbage company? Yes. Are they ruining the environment? Absolutely! But N95s REDUCE our exposure to inhaled microplastics! The air is full of PFAS particulates from car tires! I would focus my energy on reducing car usage before worrying about masks.
"nothing like the last couple of years"
You're right, wastewater levels are the worst they've ever been at this time of year. Please stop talking about COVID if you are going to spread misinformation
We do encourage you to find ways to stay connected that work for you.
While the number of COVID-19 cases is currently slightly increasing, it is nothing like the last couple of years. Cover your cough, don't go out if you're sick, and consider wearing a mask in crowded places.
Thanks to amazing work by everyone in the group, yesterday we picked up 56,000 masks! We totally filled up this 15ft truck with boxes!
We will immediately start distributing these around Seattle and are working to get these to over 9 other mask blocs around the country!
📣Seattle and UW community! At the University of Washington Board of Regents meeting on September 12, 2024, a commenter urged the Board to ban face masks at UW. We can't let this happen. We need to protect the right of students and staff to mask!
We're at the Capitol Hill farmers market right now and we will be here until 3pm. Today in addition to masks we are also giving out rapid tests (exp. 5/5) as long as supplies last!
Last month we distributed over 5,600 masks and filled over 70 mask/test requests!!
All the bloc members are working so hard to make sure people in their community get what they need and I appreciate all of them so much ♥️😷
We wrote a mask buying guide to answer this exact question! In it we give trusted sources for buying high quality masks that have passed 3rd party testing:
In here we list five different trusted sites to buy Auras from. We don't recommend Amazon
@TaylorLorenz
Very sad if true. I did inspect and compare these when I got them and if they are fake the differences are very subtle.
Where do you get your N95s now to ensure authenticity?
Yesterday I went to the masks required t4t clothes swap and had an amazing time! They had a decently sized plus size section and the clothes had clearly been freshly laundered! I feel so grateful to live in a place with these accessible queer events 🏳️⚧️😷✨
This is deliberately misleading. Testing is inaccessible, so case numbers tell us nothing. COVID levels in wastewater are currently as high as they were for the peak of the 2023-2024 winter season. That means they are very high and are still going up!
We are currently seeing a small increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, but nothing like the last couple years. Now is the time to use the tools that we've learned: cover your cough, don't go out if you're sick, and you can wear a mask in crowded places.
This zine is printed one sided on a single piece of paper and folded into a little booklet
Link to print:
A guide on how to fold and assemble the zine:
We’ve started keeping better track of how many masks we distribute. Last month? A whopping 8000! Big thanks to all of you who support us and help us continue to do this work. We couldn’t do it without you! 😷❤️
@adria_frolics
If it's just water or sweat, they mask will be fine if allowed to dry out. If it's pool water with chlorine in it...not sure. I would not recommend having young kids wear a mask around a pool, if they fall in and can't swim the wet mask will be very dangerous.
There is a free masks required outdoor dance party this Friday (May 24) in Bothell! The theme is pirates and sirens and people are encouraged (but not required) to come in costume 🧜♀️🏴☠️😷
Good tips! Keep in mind: outdoors is not magically protective against COVID transmission. Mask outside when near other people, especially crowds.
Instead of eating at a restaurant's outdoor patio, considering getting take out to eat at home or in an uncrowded park.
There are lots of things you can do to stay safe:
Mask, esp indoors. Test. Be in well-ventilated areas, outdoors preferred, stay home when sick and vaccinate.
3/8
This past Sunday at our Capitol Hill farmers market table went really well. We distributed 544 masks and someone surprised us with a custom tablecloth! Thank you so much, Jeff. Everyone at MBS loves it!
This past Friday we tabled at
@veraproject
during a masks required gig ft. jackrabbit,
@glassbeachband
, and
@floraltatVEVO
. We helped the organizer buy masks for the show using our buying guide. At our table we provided extra masks for people to take home and zines!
Mask Bloc Seattle is now stocking masks at select Seattle Community Fridge locations! You can find a map here with the locations and instructions for locating the pantries:
Is the pantry empty? We restock regularly, but you can dm us to speed that up!
We just got a large donation of over 50 LongSee rapid tests that expire 8/14. If you could use one before then, tests are available for pick up only in Capitol Hill. DM for pickup details!
We are so excited for masked pride this Sunday!!
There are a lot of covid cases going around right now, so if you have the means, take a test on Sunday before you leave. If you test positive, stay home! There will be other fun events for you to come to in the future 😊
We are giving out high filtration masks and rapid tests for free! We offer delivery or you can pick them up from us in Cal Anderson on Sundays. Check out our pinned tweet for a link to our request form!
We’re hearing that lots of folks are suffering from allergies and increasing levels of COVID (at least we don’t have wildfire smoke yet)! Filter out pollen, particles, and viruses this summer.
Right now I'm Washington, I and other people in my community have to weigh the risks of deferring essential medical care vs possible COVID infection. Many people CANNOT take that risk, getting COVID would possibly kill them. We DO NOT have equal access!!
At
@WADeptHealth
, we believe that health equity exists when ALL people have the opportunity to achieve their full health potential. Learn more about our commitment to health equity:
We are here in North Cal Anderson and have a gorgeous spread of masks for people to try including adult small/teen sizes and kids sizes!
If you aren't able to make it but see masks in the picture you'd like, feel free to put in a request! Link in our bio
Last week we brought 100 masks and 20 rapid tests to our table in North Cal Anderson and gave out every single one! This week we will have even more, so stop by and take a bunch! We'll be by the Ribbon of Light pathway 12-2pm. See you there!
While employers continue to ignore this growing health risk for farmworkers, we are stepping up to keep each other safe.
We are working with the mutual aid group WashMasks to get high quality masks directly to farm workers.
Infections in dairy workers are likely going uncounted.
Farm workers, especially dairy workers urgently need:
-Practical PPE, and training on proper use
-Paid sick leave
-Widespread testing and treatment
We will have these and other educational zines at our table this Sunday in north Cal Anderson. We will be there 12-2pm, so stop by peruse our zine selection!
We’re planning a mellow little pride event for our fellow
#queer
and
#trans
disBABEled and COV!D-informed cuties. Masks required and provided, obviously.
Save the date, stay tuned for details, and tell us what your ideal
#pride
event would be like in the comments! 🌈✨
We are launching a mask distribution program for Seattle buses and would like your help! While we are upset that King County doesn’t allocate their funds for public health and quality masks, we know that our efforts can make a huge impact!
I've had healthcare workers cite "inhaling microplastics" from wearing masks as a reason not to wear them. As far as I know there are NO studies that show wearing an N95 increases exposure to microplastics. As it stands, this is misinformation.
If you'd like to support a mutual aid group supporting migrant and indigenous farmworkers in Washington state, you should support WashMasks! They take donations and are accepting volunteers:
@covidactionmap
In Washington there is WashMasks, a mutual aid group that works with farmworkers and their families. We gave them 5k masks and plan on supplying them in the future
If you’re a UW community member (i.e., students, staff, faculty, academic personnel, alum) or concerned Seattle, Tacoma, or Bothell resident, sign the open letter to encourage the Regents to NOT ban masks at UW.
🚨🚨 WA DOH free telehealth program to prescribe paxlovid is ending July 31 - in four days! If you need paxlovid for a COVID infection, be sure to take advantage before the program is gone:
Some additional tips to make the process smooth 🧵
Order your free tests and make sure your family, friends, and neighbors do too! If you don't need any, order them anyway and give them to someone else who does!
Don't know who to give them to? Give them to us! Contact us for pickup or drop them off at our Sunday table
The best way to prevent Long Covid is to not be infected with COVID in the first place. Wear a mask and ask that people around you do the same! We provide free masks and rapid tests to the "Seattle" area. Check our website in our bio for a request form!
Older adults and people with underlying medical conditions remain especially vulnerable. People of all ages are at risk for long COVID. These longer term symptoms can happen after even mild infections.
Reduce your risk:
@covidactionmap
In Washington there is WashMasks, a mutual aid group that works with farmworkers and their families. We gave them 5k masks and plan on supplying them in the future
We will be tabling today in North Cal Anderson by the AIDS Memorial Garden 12-2 pm. Now that summer is here we have an assortment of duckbill N95s for people to try! They are very breathable and great for hot and humid weather. Stop by to try some out! 🦆😷
Not sure which masks to buy or where to buy them? We now have a mask buying guide! This document provides trusted links to buy hi-fi masks for a variety of brands/shapes/sizes. It also has a section providing answers to common questions about masks.
1/10 Your employer doesn’t value you beyond your ability to produce profit for them. If they valued you, they would protect you, with clean air, quality masking, and adequate sick leave for you to take care of yourself and family when ill. 1/
Between this massive surge, the recent heat and smoke, and tending to our own lives, our capacity has gotten LOW. We’re slowing down to take of ourselves and ensure we can keep the bloc going for the long haul
Did you know there is a huge West Coast/Southwest mask buy going on? Mask blocs are raising money to buy 132,000 KN95s from a government warehouse to distribute around the west coast. This bulk deal means that giving $5 buys 300 masks!!
2/10 One of the first policies passed regarding COVID-19 was a federal policy preventing you from suing your employer for getting you sick. In fact, safety measures have been moving backwards since the start of the pandemic!
We can help this family that has already lost so much. They need money to evaluate! Even $5 makes a difference! We need to step up and help people suffering due to our own government's actions
We expect less rain and more heat this year, meaning more smoky days. 4 steps to stay safe:
1. Check air quality at
2. Avoid outdoor exercise & move indoors when it's smoky
3. Watch for smoke exposure symptoms
4. Use a HEPA filter
Today at the mutual aid fair it was raining and cold, but we distributed 490 masks and 66 rapid tests!
If you have the means, please support this bulk buy so we can continue getting masks to everyone around the Puget Sound!
We are almost 1/4 of the way to our western US bulk KN95 mask fundraiser goal!! Thank you to all who've donated and shared; please continue to share across platforms to help us reach our goal and get these masks our into our communities!
This is it. Right now in Seattle there are NO government options for free COVID tests. Even the libraries don't give them out.
People like Illy are stepping up when the government has abandoned us. Help them help people!
very worthwhile cause to support as many state governments have pulled back on providing free rapid testing for those without insurance and at-home tests in stores are simultaneously scarce and expensive when available.
Just put “variety pack” in the preferences field of the request form (link in bio). The masks we put in variety packs change based on our supply. If you want a variety but have parameters—like only n95s, earloops, or masks for larger faces—just note it in the preferences field
Are you ready for a covid safer drag show? Friday and Saturday this week there is one in Bellevue! Masks required for all people not currently performing.
MBS will be tabling at the Friday May 10th show before the start 6:30-7:30. Come by and say hi!
We know you’re probably seeing a lot of these, so we’ll keep it short. At the time of posting, Raghad and her family are about 1/3 of the way to their goal. Help them get to safety by giving what you can, commenting on this post, and sharing widely. Their page is in our linktree
3/10 The FDA removed food safety mechanisms. Hospitals that previously required masking in NICU spaces no longer do. This means more sick workers, more disabled workers, more unable to work.
The government has abandoned and criminalized us. We need to take care of each other. You should follow
@LongCovidAidBot
to help keep people with long COVID housed and safe. Regularly give people financial support if you can and retweet mutual aid requests!
4/10 We know from the history of unions that it’s the workers who generate wealth. We must unite, not just for the sake of labor, but for the sake of community, those who’ve been displaced from labor due to illness.
Inspired by
@MaskBloc616
and other blocs that have recently made posts like this, we wanted to share the steps to take to get free masks from us.
Still have questions? Reply here or send us a message any time!
5/10 Modern labor union leaders have stagnated. There is no national union advocating clean air for all or adequate PPE for workers. If the air isn’t clean for everyone, the risk is still shared by ALL.
The sky is looking smokey! The AQI is moderate now (61) and is expected to stay that way for most of the next week. Check the AQI before you open windows or go outside unmasked. Smoke is not safe to breathe and has long term health impacts for all groups!
6/10 Given the limitations of implementing clean air and as we see struggles with clean water and clean land, we cannot settle for clean air for one office, building, or city. This must be a globalized effort. We must work together.
Last week we brought 100 masks and 20 rapid tests to our table in North Cal Anderson and gave out every single one! This week we will have even more, so stop by and take a bunch! We'll be by the Ribbon of Light pathway 12-2pm. See you there!
People who aren't traveling should avoid illness too! You can get high filtration masks from us to wear on public transit, to the grocery store, the pharmacy, and even outdoor events. Yes, COVID spreads outdoors! Keep your summer fun by avoiding airborne illnesses!
Levels of COVID-19 are rising in King County and across the nation. Wear a mask in crowded places, like airport waiting areas, to prevent from getting sick on your trip. Find out what vaccinations are recommended for where you’re traveling:
7/10 The Taft Hartley Act disempowered unions by making leadership require an equal number of business and union members and disallowing unions from “holding the line.”
We are giving out rapid tests including Inteliswab ones. We’ve heard anecdotally that these tests are prone to false positives with an oral and nasal swab. If you use this brand, consider sticking to just nasal swabs—but keep swabbing your mouth with other brands!
Our table yesterday was a resounding success! We gave out 557 masks and 23 flow flex rapid tests!
We also got to speak with a few people who wanted advice on which masks would give them the best fit and seal. We love helping people find the best mask for them!
8/10 This means that if a steelworker union is on strike, railroad workers can’t refuse the hauls of those companies facing strikes. This disempowerment is not all inclusive.
9/10 We can push the labor unions to move accordingly, and continue those pushes beyond. It will take a fight to get there, we want to welcome you, your union, your community, to join us in global solidarity for a safer world!
THE SURVIVAL OF MY FAMILY COUNTS ON YOUR SUPPORT AND HELP, WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR DONATIONS AND SPREADING THE LINK OF DONATION AMONG YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLES.🇵🇸🙏
🔗
We will be getting masks from this effort if we raise the $10k goal needed for the purchase. Giving money helps Seattle, but also over 12 other mask blocs!
Every little bit helps!
Illy is the real deal! They shipped cases of Inteliswabs to us at cost, doing an incredible service for people in Seattle and across the country!
If you think it's bullshit that pharmacies are charging $12/test, give Illy some cash so they can get tests to people who need them!!
Hi, my name is Illy! I’ve been distributing rapid tests to different mask blocs for most of this year. 🐀📦 I’ve recently ended up with more inventory than I expected and I’d like to make sure it all gets used in time but I need your help!
Say hello to our new logo! The hearts are to show that masking is an act of love. We wear masks to protect our families, friends, and communities.
The rainbow is to show we are a queer-founded group working to protect vulnerable, disadvantaged people of all kinds.
Would you like to help us buy masks and maybe win a cute prize? Between now and April 5 we are doing a giveaway for anyone who donates $5 or more to us! The winners will be chosen from any payments that provide contact info in the payment description.
Urgent please don’t skip
My two remaining brothers, and their sons miraculously escaped death today while they were in Rafah.
Can you imagine! Today I would have lost my all brothers!
Please don’t stop support us to escape certain death 💔🙏
We do link to Amazon in cases where a mask is only sold through Amazon and it is only sold by a single trusted seller.
Amazon has a confusing system where a single listing can have many different sellers and it's difficult to know which one you are buying from
As smoke blows into King County from wildfires in Eastern WA, we are seeing hazy skies and rising temperatures.
Tomorrow (Thursday), air quality levels may reach "Unhealthy for sensitive groups" in parts of the county. Check forecasts and current AQI at .
We are providing the UW United Front for Palestinian Liberation encampment with high quality masks, but they still need many other things! The medial tent really needs a power supply. If you are able to contribute something, drop it off at the Liberated Zone by Raitt Hall.
It's payday, which means I will be giving $50 to help Noha and her family. Please join me so that we can get this family of 22 to safety! This is urgent and we should give what we can today! If you aren't able to give, please share!
We are very close to our half goal🙏
Less than 1200$
Your help can save my family
Please share and donate if you can
We appreciate anything you do for my us
Catch us at the mutual aid fair tomorrow! We'll be giving out many types of masks, RATs, and educational literature.
Since we are going to be at Cal Anderson tomorrow, we won't be doing our normal Sunday table this weekend.
Come hang out with us at the spring mutual aid fair at North Cal Anderson park on Saturday, May 18th between 2 and 6 pm. there will be food, music, zines, & more!
Masks are strongly encouraged but can’t be enforced since we’ll be in a public space.
I'm going to give $50 to Noha and her family today and I hope that you will match me. They are almost halfway to their goal and we need to get them the rest of the way there.
Their situation is tenuous, so this ask is time sensitive. Join me and give today!
Maybe someone cares about our survival .
I’m noha from Gaza and this campaign to evacuate 22 members of my family including my paralyzed brother
@gazafunds
@palestineasdiqa
We will be at the Capitol Hill farmers market tomorrow 11am-3pm. We will be giving out over 40 FlowFlex covid rapid tests with expiration date May 3. Please come by and take several!
As always we will also have free masks in a variety of shapes and sizes!
Noha and her family still need our help! I just gave $50. Please match me or give what you can. She will only reach safety if we come together to help!
Please Don't Ignore!!!!🍉🖇🇵🇸
We are a Gazan family of 17 people still stuck here.
Our only hope is that you support us by donating any amount to give us hope that we can achieve our goal and treat my brother and mother💔
Or at least by sharing our 🔗
It's almost winter. Noha and her family are facing wet and cold conditions in tents. Give them the support they need to access urgently needed supplies and medical care! I just gave $50 and I hope you will join me
OUR NEXT GOAL IS $68K
Our previous goal took us 10 days which is a very long time, so we won't reach our final goal for another 7 months.
Can we achieve this goal in 3 days?
Let's start today and let's reach $67.3k by the end of the day
SHARE DONATE
Tweeted too fast! Image alt: line graph of COVID wastewater levels year over year. The line for 2024 in August is higher than all previous years. Under the line graph is a map of the US showing how high COVID levels are. Almost all states are dark red indicating very high levels
It is BAD here on the west coast right now and the numbers are still going up. If you are going to be around people or in public indoor spaces, wear a mask! If you are experiencing ANY symptoms or have an exposure take a rapid test! We will get you free masks and tests 😷👍
Are you seeing more COVID-19 cases in your area?
35 states and D.C. are seeing "high" or "very high" levels of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater,
@CDCgov
now says, up from 26 states last week
We got a donation of >90 EnvoMask filters! If you wear an EnvoMask and need free filters, fill out our mask request form so we can get some to you! That form can be found in our pinned tweet 💖😷
If you ride transit in the greater Seattle area and would like some masks to place in the mask dispenser during your rides, fill out this form. With your help we can spread masks all over the city and make transit safer for everyone!
We are set up in North Cal Anderson giving out masks! We are in a slightly different place so that we can be in the shade. Find us to the west of the AIDS Memorial Garden
This graph is from the CDC's wastewater site:
Do not "consider wearing a mask in crowded, indoor spaces". WEAR a mask anytime you are sharing air, indoors and out. That includes empty hallways, off hours grocery stores, and public parks!
Tabling Change! Instead of our normal spot in north Cal Anderson, you can find us tomorrow Sunday 8/11 on the sidewalk outside 1311 E Union St. There is a yard sale where we will be set up and one of our members will be selling cute little African Violets!
Due to hot weather, we will not be at Cal Anderson this Sunday for mask distro. We are still doing deliveries and have some alternate pick up options if you need masks before next Sunday. You can fill out the form in our pinned tweet to request masks.
It’s going to get hot by the weekend—plan on 90 degrees-ish Saturday & Sunday! 🥵
This doesn’t look like a historic heatwave by any means, but these things do often wind up hotter than envisioned. Let’s hope that’s not the case!