“How Do You Stay Healthy and Safe at a Protest During a Pandemic?”

The death of George Floyd has sparked a movement to demand justice with Black Lives Matter protests happening around the country. If you want to join the demonstrations, but are hesitant because of concerns for your safety and health you’re not alone. Being in a crowd in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is a major risk. Add to that the fear of violence and the heat of June, it’s good you’re making a thoughtful decision.

If you want to go, here are tips to stay safe and healthy while you’re out:

PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS: Don’t leave your home if you are sick with a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19.  In a mass gathering, it’s going to be difficult to maintain social distancing measures, and you could easily spread the illness to others. You’re also at high risk for catching COVID-19 when you’re out. Plan to quarantine yourself for 14 days after the protests. Also, before you make a decision to go, consider your risk for serious complications if you become sick from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. While most people have a mild illness, anyone can become critically ill, in particular people 65 and older, or those with a chronic illness including heart or lung disease, diabetes, obesity or cancer.

PLAN FOR SAFETY: To stay safe, go with a friend or a small group and make sure you’re all on the same page when it comes to the details.  How are you travelling back and forth from the protest? Do you have a group chat set up to communicate easily? Identify where there are first aid stations and places you can stop for a bathroom break. Unfortunately, the threat of a peaceful demonstration turning chaotic is real. To stay safe, consider going earlier in the day and avoiding areas where there’s been violence.  Decide on where to meet up if you’re separated from your group.

WEAR PROTECTIVE GEAR: To protect yourself and others from COVID-19 you must wear a face mask. Choose one that is snug and comfortable. If you have access to a medical or construction N95 mask, this is the time to use it given your close proximity to others. You should only take it off when you eat or drink something. Plan to keep it on at all times otherwise. Consider wearing a face shield as an added layer over your facemask. It can offer protection for your eyes and it’ll help keep your facemask clean and prevent you from touching your face with dirty hands. Choose a face shield with clear plastic that extends across your face to both ears, and down well below the chin. There should be no gap between your forehead and the headpiece. There is a risk of injury you need to be prepared for whether it’s from an accidental fall or intentional violence from something like rubber bullets. Wear a hat and covered clothing to protect your skin from injury and the sun.  Choose comfortable walking shoes that are closed-toe to protect against debris on the roads.  Don’t wear anything that can be easily grabbed like loose jewelry. You could be exposed to tear gas or pepper spray. Your mask, face shield, hat, covered clothing and close toe shoes will all help cut your direct exposure to these chemicals and decrease the severe burning sensation and irritation that can occur in your eyes, skin and lungs. Avoid sunscreen, makeup and contact lenses, these can all trap the chemicals and worsen irritation.

PACK SUPPLIES: Plan for a day much longer than you anticipate. Bring water to drink and snacks to eat because there may not be stores open for you to enter. To stop the spread of infection bring (and use often) hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. Be prepared with any medicines you can’t be without, especially if you might need emergency medications like an epinephrine auto injector or your inhaler. And, definitely don’t leave home without extra cash, emergency contact information written on paper or by permanent marker on your body, and a charger with your phone. A simple first aid kit with Band-Aids, gloves and water or saline is also a good idea.  If you are exposed to tear gas or pepper spray, you’ll want to move to a higher ground towards fresh air and get to a first aid station. Don’t rub your eyes. Instead, rinse your eyes and skin with clean water or saline. When you can, wash with gentle soap and soothe the burning skin with an ice pack.  I see recommendations online to use milk or baking soda solutions, but those aren’t hygienic and pose an infection risk. Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and charcoal dust are also not helpful.

BE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE: While you’re at the protest stay with your group and stay alert to your surroundings. Don’t be afraid to walk away if you don’t feel safe. To decrease your risk of COVID-19, keep your face mask and shield on securely. Your highest risk is from respiratory droplets from others, move away from anyone speaking without a mask. Remember not to lean in to shake hands or give a hug. Solidarity is shown by your presence, not by your touch. Try to maintain a 6-foot distance all around you. I know it’s difficult, but there’s a real risk that these mass gatherings will result in more people sick with COVID-19. Some sites are recommending ribbon or chalk to mark your physical space when standing– just don’t use anything that could be thought of as a weapon.

NEXT STEPS AT HOME: When you reach home, safely I hope, shower and wash your clothes. Your risk of exposure to COVID-19 was high at the protest so plan to be in quarantine for 14 days. Stay home, keep a minimum 6 feet distance from others, and monitor for symptoms. Check your local or state public health department for instructions about testing for the COVID-19 virus. You should wait about 5 days after exposure to minimize false results. While you’re at home take time to reflect on your experience in this important moment of history. Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and professionals for support as you unpack your thoughts and feelings. You’ll be stronger for it as you plan your next action steps for the Black Lives Matter Movement.

BY: Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH, Board-Certified Internist, WebMD, June 04, 2020. Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH is a board-certified internal medicine doctor and a WebMD Medical Editor. She is on the team that makes sure all WebMD content is medically correct, current and understandable. She sees patients at the Women’s Wellness Clinic at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“10 Wellness Warriors on the Frontlines of Black Lives Matter”

These women are using their platforms to stand up to racial inequality in the health and wellness space.

As the Black Lives Matter movement continues to prevail nationwide, countless voices of change are stepping up to help guide the movement and send a message about racial inequality and injustice. In the health and wellness space, black women are at the forefront, using their expertise to explain how racism and race-related issues impact the physical, mental, and emotional health of women of color—as well as highlighting the bias that exists in the wellness industry today. From medical doctors to chefs to therapists, these 10 influential black women are using their platforms to educate and inform, and to remind the world that black women are a major part of health and wellness. 

CHRISSY KING: (@iamchrissyking) Fitness coach and motivational speaker Chrissy King is standing up to racial injustice and speaking out about the Black Lives Matter Movement. On June 2, King shared an Instagram post promoting a webinar she's hosting for health and fitness professionals that will focus on actively fighting racism in the wellness space. Her class will examine white supremacy, racism, and bias, as well as accountability. Learn more about the dates of her course and how to sign up on her website and Instagram page.

SOPHIA ROE: (Sophie_Roe) Sophia Roe has used her position as a prominent chef and wellness advocate to make the wellness world more inclusive and accepting. She founded Pillow Talk Sessions, a conversation series that provides an open, safe space to talk about food and health. Throughout the Black Lives Matter Movement, she's continued to speak out about these issues and discuss her experiences with racism in the wellness community. On June 1, she shared a powerful image of herself at a Black Lives Matter March, including a caption to explain that influential black women in the wellness space. "I’ve had so many white people ask me, 'Is it hard being one of the few black women in the wellness industry?' To which I say, 'EXCUSE ME?! BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE INVENTED WELLNESS!'" she wrote. "Who do you think grows, and sources all of your tea, herbs, tinctures, tonics, and broths for your 'wellness routine'? What cultures do you think started these rituals and remedies?"

T. MORGAN DIXON: (morgantreks) T. Morgan Dixon is the founder of GirlTrek, a public health and self-care organization for Black women. As a leader in the wellness community, she's been sharing information and posting in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement on both her personal account and GirlTrek’s Instagram account. "We must continue to pour into each other. Support each other. Love each other," she wrote in a recent Instagram caption. "Because, after all, we are all we got."

MAYA FELLER: (mayafellerrd) Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian and New York City-based author, is speaking out about racial injustice and educating others as to how they can actively fight racism. In a recent Instagram post, Feller provided her followers with a handful of resources—including books, websites, and charities—that all advocate change. She also spoke about how the health care system needs to step up and change the way they treat black patients. "Healthcare providers need better training in anti-bias and anti-racism to deliver patient centered care," wrote Feller. "There are several cultural equity tools that can be used for provider self-reflection and in turn help providers equitably serve a multi-cultural patient community."

TABITHA BROWN: (iamtabithabrown) Actress Tabitha Brown, known for her vegan foodie Instagram account, has been committed to giving a voice to the Black Lives Matter Movement. Over the past few days, Brown has shared a handful of posts informing the non-black community of ways they can truly follow through with their commitment to racial equality. "Knowledge is power, and self-reflection can change the world," she wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday. "Love you all! Let’s come together and make a real difference in the world!"

DR. JOY HARDEN BRADFORD: (hellodrjoy) Licensed psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is the founder and host of Therapy for Black Girls, an organization that provides mental-health resources to black women. Thanks to her expertise and influence, she's helped black women find therapy resources throughout this time, and she's used her position to highlight racial injustice. Dozens of resources to help people cope with the current climate and learn more about racism are available on the Therapy for Black Girls website.

JOIA CREAR-PERRY, MD: (doccrearperry) Joia Crear-Perry, MD, is an ob-gyn and founder of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, an organization dedicated to black maternal and infant health. On May 29, Dr. Crear-Perry participated in a Zoom call with other doctors and health care workers, where they discussed racial health inequalities. She shared a screenshot of it on Instagram. "The policies and values of White Supremacy ideology that place Black people in harms way is why we have Racial Health Inequities," she wrote in her caption. "Y’all had 500 years to prove the theory of a White Supremacy. Let’s spend the next 500 working together for global justice and freedom. Healthcare plays a critical role in ending the belief in a hierarchy of human value based upon skin color."

NAJ AUSTIN: (najaustin) As the founder of Ethel’s Club, Naj Austin has been promoting wellness for people of color for years. The social and wellness club is focused on providing creatives of color with resources for mental, physical, and emotional health. Over the past week, the organization has been especially vocal about making sure that people of color get the support they need during this time. Austin also regularly promotes black-owned businesses, and she recently created Ethel's Club's parent company, Somewhere Good.

TAI IBITOYE: (taitalksnutrition) United Kingdom-based dietitian Tai Ibitoye is using her expertise to send a message about racism in the nutrition space. Ibitoye, a member of the British Dietetic Association (BDA), has spent the past six years educating men and women of all different backgrounds, ages, and races on how to eat healthier to prevent chronic illness. On June 3, Ibitoye shared a series of slides on Instagram that included ways to take action against prejudice in the dietetics industry. "I am glad to see certain organizations finding ways to raise awareness & support Black individuals even though they shouldn’t have waited for more lives to be lost to elicit change," she wrote in her caption. "However, I am grateful and hoping that this is a positive step to the right direction."

NIKIA PHOENIX: Atlanta-based writer and model Nikia Phoenix created Black Girl Beautiful, a blog celebrating black women's beauty. In the past week, she's taken to Instagram to support other women of color in the Black Lives Matter Movement. She's also raised her voice about the brands taking advantage of the movement and how that impacts the black community. In one Instagram post, she explained that she's seen plenty of brands publicly supporting Black Lives Matter, but their intentions felt inauthentic. "Think about this for a minute. If you have never seen any of these brands, companies, or influencers speak up about diversity or racial injustice before, do you really think they’re being authentic now," she wrote in her caption. "Also, why would any of them mute or 'blackout' when they could be the allies lending their platforms to Black voices. To these people, your intentions are not truly coming from a loving place and are not aligned with the people you claim you’re helping. Check yourselves."

BY: Christina Oehler, Health Magazine, June 04, 2020

PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images - Art: Alex Sandoval

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by Health Magazine, Health Magazine employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of Health Magazine, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.