How To Protest Safely During COVID-19, According To Canada’s Health Officials
Canada’s health officials are reminding protesters that it’s their right to demonstrate, but they should keep in mind that there’s still the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Demonstrations sparked across the United States last week in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and ongoing anti-Black racism and police brutality there. Solidarity actions across Canada drew thousands of marchers this weekend from Montreal to Vancouver, and images of mask-clad people tightly packed into streets and public squares flooded social media.
On Monday, B.C. chief medical officer Dr. Bonnie Henry offered some advice for staying safe and healthy while peacefully demonstrating.
WATCH: Protesters rally against anti-Black racism in Toronto. Story continues below.
“In terms of these demonstrations, I cannot control people’s activities,” Henry said. “What I can do is provide you with the necessary advice and tools you need to have a peaceful demonstration in a way that is not going to imperil your family, your loved ones, your community during this time, during this pandemic.”
Henry said to wear a mask, bring hand sanitizer and try to maintain at least two metres between yourself and others.
She stressed that racialized and Indigenous communities are some of the people at highest risk of “devastating” impacts from COVID-19, and it’s important that protesters take care when out in groups.
While racial data around confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada has not been made public, in the U.S. Black people are four times more likely to die from coronavirus than white people.
RELATED
Trudeau Responds To Question About Trump Military Action With A Very Long Pause
Canadian Leaders Unite To Condemn Anti-Black Racism As Protests Rage
“So out of...
