mask bloc oral history

Established mask blocs — mutual aid groups distributing high-quality respirator masks for free — often support newer blocs with educational materials or mask stock to get started. In part two of our three-part series, organizers describe how they created resources for other blocs to get started, including a collaborative, in-depth zine co-authored by bloc members…

Mask blocs are grassroots mutual aid groups that distribute high-quality masks, such as N95s, for free in response to public health failures during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many were created and are led by disabled people, many of whom had little or no prior organizing experience. Many include organizers who have Long COVID. Most of…