Sign in

Mask Bloc Waterloo Region

@maskblocwr.bsky.social
275 followers 376 following 710 posts

We provide masks, tests, air purifiers, and health information free of charge in the so-called Waterloo Region. 💙 Make requests through our linktree or website. 💙 ⭐ We are volunteer-run. Join us! ⭐ linktr.ee/maskblocwr | maskblocwr.org

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Supporting Healthcare Heroes UK (SHH-UK) @shh-uk.bsky.social · 16h
COVID IS AIRBORNE. A surgical mask is NOT the same as a properly fitted respirator. Healthcare workers deserved protection appropriate to the risk then. They deserve it now. Read about IPC Mistake #3 in the paper by @EvonneTCurran and @alitwy 👇 shh-uk.org/five-ipc-...
095
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Da(N95)iella [fka DaniAtomicus] @sharpflower.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
We’re finalists in the 2026 Signal Awards for two categories! If you want to help us also compete in the Listener’s Choice category, head over to the link to search for “Public Health is Dead” and vote for us by Oct 15 ⚡️see ALT for category descriptions. vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting...
Signal Awards Listener’s Choice Voting page for the Conversation Starter category showing “Public Health is Dead” next to “Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky”. The Conversation Starter Category description is: “Shows that dive into niche or of-the-moment topics, provide fascinating information or otherwise inspire great conversation.”Signal Awards Listener’s Choice Voting page for the Weird category showing “Public Health is Dead” next to “Behind the Bastards”.  The category description for Weird is: “Weird
Shows that are strange, offbeat, or bizarre. This category includes shows that pursue a fresh perspective in thought and action strong enough to start a revolution, change a behavior pattern, or advance old thinking lodged in bad habits—or that are just plain weird.”Image Description: Signal Awards Listener’s Choice Voting frame with a 2026 Finalist badge around the episode artwork for the final episode of Season 1, "Legacies of Colonialism in Public Health" - Two giraffes in the foreground of a digital collage for the Public Health is Dead podcast episode 7. They are on top of a black and white image of a man in colonial style clothes and a hat looking at a couple of ostriches in South Africa. The background is a blue and orange coloured NIAID transmission electron micrograph image of SARS-CoV-2 particles within endosomes of an infected nasal olfactory epithelial cell.
198
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Esther @elhopkins.bsky.social · 20h
Article from 2021 and every time I see the date, it makes me feel so sad that so many lives have been lost and so many folks have had their lives decimated by long covid, when we have the science to prevent. www.theguardian.com/world/2021/j...
theguardian.com
Cambridge hospital’s mask upgrade appears to eliminate Covid risk to staff
Hospital infection study shows use of FFP3 respirators at Addenbrooke’s ‘may have cut ward-based infection to zero’
39344
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 13h
Forbes has a good article on the difficulty of finding a safe space for the immunocompromised. www.forbes.com/sites/weskil...
forbes.com
Unmasking The At-Risk Communities’ Last Ditch Quest To Coexist Safely
The Last Ditch Bar controversy reveals a deeper story: what it actually costs to live immunocompromised in a world that’s moved on from masks.
011
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 13h
#COVID is wreaking havoc in Edmonton, AB hospitals (a province where COVID vaccines are no longer funded for the general population). edmontonjournal.com/news/covid-p...
edmontonjournal.com
COVID patients lumped together in Edmonton hospital
“We're seeing hallways full of stretchers and ambulance patients being offloaded into hallways."
120
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
World Health Network @thewhn.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
COVID-19 prevention shouldn't be limited to periods of increased transmission. COVID-19 continues to circulate year-round, making consistent prevention an important part of protecting individual and community health. Improving indoor air quality, (...)
Black background with a thin green strip along the top. At the top left is the white “whn.global” logo, and at the top right is the text “World Health Network – Science for a safer, healthier world.”
Large headline in green and white:
“COVID-19 prevention should not be seasonal.”
Below a thin green horizontal line, white text reads:
“Protective measures are most effective when built into everyday routines and systems. COVID-19 prevention should remain a priority year-round, not just during surges.”
38439
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Tri-Cities Transport Action Group @tritag.ca · 13/10/2026
We have had one hundred (100) candidates respond to our questionnaire! Make a plan to vote on October 26 or in advance polls, and get informed on your local and regional candidates:
tritag.ca
TriTAG Election Questionnaire 2026
Waterloo Region candidate responses to our top transportation policy questions
087
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Andrew Dobbie @a-dobbie11.bsky.social · 17h
That time of year again for school open houses in which all families get together in schools for a visit. DANGER! School boards DO NOT keep mechanical ventilation on for these functions, so they easily become airborne pathogen spread events. I have tried lobbying to keep them on to no avail😥 #N95
143
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Chantzy @chantzy.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
A form of toxic masculinity that often gets overlooked is men mocking women for taking COVID precautions, dismissing post-viral illness as psychosomatic or pressuring them to take off their masks. This is part of misogyny too.
424334
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Tara Moriarty @moriartylab.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Hi everyone, @wikisteff.bsky.social is hosting our first Data Discussion of the fall this evening at 8 pm Eastern. Unfortunately we are having some issues with our website today, but you can still register directly through the zoom meeting link: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
us06web.zoom.us
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: C19RC Data Discussions. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: C19RC Data Discussions. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
04714
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 14h
Gift 🎁article: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/e24d2f3... #COVID
theglobeandmail.com
Plague fears remind us we still need an accounting of our COVID-19 response
Six years after the pandemic was declared, we still haven’t had a proper inquiry to help us learn what went wrong
000
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Andrew Young 🇨🇦 @young.me · 15h
#Ontario #wastewater graph updated with October 4 data - Kingston, Peel, Toronto updated: wwater.ca/Ontario - Also updated: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, PEI, QC, YT wwater.ca Source: health-infobase.canada.ca/wastewater/
Wastewater Virus Signals graph for Ontario
23216
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Sassy Little Hobbit @sassypolitico.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Gee what has happened in the last 6 years I wonder
2429149
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
keithmuise80.bsky.social @keithmuise80.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Timothée Chalamet wearing a mask while out and about on October 12. He knows that viruses like Covid are airborne and masks can help protect him. #maskup #covid19 #timotheechalamet #movie #actor
316132
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Chantzy @chantzy.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for friends who still take rapid tests for me before we eat together. It's the small things - that are actually big things & go a long way! 💞
Black table with three negative Covid rapid tests with red initials
449243
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
North Box Systems @northboxsystems.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
With the Fall Covid Vaccine campaign ramping up in Canada here is a great paper on the Nuvaxovid option for those who find mRNA vaccines hard to tolerate: #CovidIsNotOver #Novavax #Nuvaxovid docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com
Nuvaxovid COVID Vaccine
What is the Nuvaxovid COVID vaccine and how is it different? Written by: Jeff Gilchrist & Paul Seaman Link to this document: https://tinyurl.com/NuvaxovidVaccine Last updated: October 7, 2026 This ...
0154
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Supporting Healthcare Heroes UK (SHH-UK) @shh-uk.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
🚨 Five IPC mistakes. Five lessons we cannot afford to ignore. The Covid Inquiry exposed fundamental failures in how healthcare workers were protected. Have we actually learnt from them? Read the analysis by @EvonneTCurran and @alitwy 👇 shh-uk.org/five-ipc-...
0117
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Kristin Meekes @kmeekes.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
For the love of god, it’s almost 2027. We need CLEAN INDOOR AIR, for masking to be normalized, and for aerosol transmission to be clearly communicated to the public.
410026
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
🇨🇦Joe Vipond🇨🇦 @jvipondmd.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Care about worker infectious disease protection? And worker justice? Watch this webinar?
parklandinstitute.ca
Essential and Expendable: How Alberta’s COVID-19 Response Failed Cargill Workers
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
19738
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Kavi Kat 🌬️ @katinthestars.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Free masks 😷
maskbloc.org
Worldwide Mask Bloc Directory – Find your local Mask Bloc
MaskBloc.org lists active Mask Blocs around the world. Free high-quality masks, COVID-19 tests and other equipment for your community. Mutual Aid & We Keep Us Safe.
018563
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Christophe Veltsos @drinfosec.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
🚨🧵by Zdenek Vrozina on XTwitter: "A study in Scientific Reports scanned the hearts of people two years after COVID. The title says long COVID population, but most participants had no symptoms. This is a study of COVID survivors, mostly symptom free..." 11-tweet🧵 threadreaderapp.com/thread/21082...
A study in Scientific Reports scanned the hearts of people two years after COVID. The title says long COVID population, but most participants had no symptoms. This is a study of COVID survivors, mostly symptom free. And 39% of them had a blood-flow defect on heart imaging🧵
1129
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Dr Noor Bari @njbbari3.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
What makes healthcare so special that it is exempt from OH&S requirements to wear respiratory protection? Triage for a start has no freaking idea what the pathogen is, let alone the risks involved… ED doesn’t either for the most part… and things crop up on the wards… Why is healthcare exempt?
1725982
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
MaskTogetherAmerica @togetherwemask.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
“I #MaskUp because I am immunocompromised. I am a voice actor for animation, audio books and video games. I don’t want to get sick. I also want to protect others. It’s the right thing to do.” —Helen Laser, @newyorkcomiccon.bsky.social panelist. 📸: @msjulieslam.bsky.social #IAmNYCC
Helen Laser, wearing a Black KN95 respirator, made a peace-sign when posing for Julie Lam at the New York Comic Con 2026.
220233
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Niema Moshiri @niema.net · 11/10/2026
As I said the first time this study was proposed, this is unconscionable and would absolutely not fly in any wealthy nation. Medical experimentation on babies (withhold a lifesaving medical intervention just to see what happens) does not magically become okay if they happen to be poor African babies
9452198
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Kristin Meekes @kmeekes.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Since public health is just completely MIA on this topic, I’ll say that I have a wedding this month and I’ll be wearing a mask. It can be socially awkward to be the only one but if you want to wear one, just do it.
16311
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Not a word on indoor air quality or wearing a mask just "Practise good hygiene–wash your hands regularly & cover your mouth & nose when you cough or sneeze" 🤦‍♀️ @�‍♀️https://publichealthscotland.scot/our-blog/2026/october/how-surveillance-is-helping-prepare-for-scotland-s-winter-respiratory-season-2026/
022
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Sally Witcher @salwitcher.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
This is brilliant! Masking can be fun ☺️
075
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
"Organizers of Thursday’s campus debate said Weber told them scheduling conflicts would keep her away, before she ultimately cited illness for her absence. Weber said that before she got sick, she sorted out her schedule to attend the campus debate. She plans to attend other campus events." 6/6
000
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
"Weber faulted McCabe for making the decision to “come without any precautions” to the Sunday debate. The responsible thing to do when you are sick is “either physically distance, or take other precautions to not spread those germs,” she said." 5/6
100
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
“I know that the responsible thing to do is to avoid spreading this to others.” “I have aches, chills, fever, headaches,” Weber said Friday after seeing a doctor. “I’m feeling better today and my voice is starting to come back.” 4/6
100
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
"on campus at Wilfrid Laurier University. Weber says she did not attend Thursday’s campus debate because she got sick after the Sunday debate. “I’ve fallen ill,” Weber said in a video she sent to explain her absence and highlight her platform for the campus audience." 3/6
100
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
"gave her a personal headset. The audience was told this was done to stop McCabe from infecting her four challengers. Coughing occasionally, McCabe sat beside top rival Shannon Weber for two hours. Four days later on Thursday, Weber skipped a student-organized mayoral debate..." 2/6
100
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
www.therecord.com/news/municip... #KitWat How should a mayoral candidate handle a respiratory infection? "It started last Sunday, when incumbent Dorothy McCabe attended a mayoral debate with a bad cold. Organizers stopped McCabe from handling a shared microphone and instead..." 1/6
therecord.com
Illness, absence and barbs shape Waterloo’s mayoral debate
Shannon Weber says she stayed home to avoid spreading illness after a forum where Dorothy McCabe appeared with a bad cold.
100
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Ryan Hisner @ryanhisner.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Large upload from Ontario yesterday, providing some striking revelations about the evolution of PJ.2.1. First, there is yet another strikingly divergent branch of PJ.2.1. This isn't one variant: it's four. More and more, this resembles the emergence of BA.1/2/3. What is happening? 1/
718673
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Denis - The COVID Info Guy @thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
"Masks are great. But they aren’t magic" Source: x.com/PrognosticCh...
A screenshot of a social media post by Prognostic Chats (@PrognosticChats), dated 12:52 AM · Oct 9, 2026, with 13.4K Views.
The main text outlines that masks are effective but not infallible. It explains that a high viral load in a poorly ventilated room over time can overwhelm a mask, meaning solo masking requires some luck. The author notes that with other public health measures gone, solo masking acts as a last line of defense, but emphasizes it is far more effective when combined with universal masking, good ventilation, and routine testing.
This post directly quotes a message from activity (derogatory) (@poetryalpastor) from Oct 8 asking: "Does anybody else who regularly wears a mask feel like a super fuckup/failure/loser when they get sick?"
1518244
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Jeff Gilchrist @jeffgilchrist.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
*** Publicly Funded Program – Ontario *** Ontario expects to begin distributing Nuvaxovid to pharmacies during the week of October 26; however, this marks the start of distribution and does not guarantee immediate or widespread availability across all pharmacy locations.
141
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Jeff Gilchrist @jeffgilchrist.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Information for (or give to) Pharmacists on how to get Nuvaxovid in Canada #Nuvaxovid is a protein-based COVID vaccine approved for ages 12 and older and is back in Canada after 2 years now that Sanofi Canada took ownership of the vaccine. 🧵1/ (formerly #Novavax)
An image showing a white packaging box and a single pre-filled syringe for Sanofi's COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted Nuvaxovid (2026–2027 Formula)
49551
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Jeff Gilchrist @jeffgilchrist.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I just received updated info about Nuvaxovid pharmacy ordering in Ontario from Sanofi so I have redone part of this thread and made a document available to download/print (thanks @penelopejmorrow.bsky.social for the idea).
0289
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Dr Nili Kaplan-Myrth, MD PhD @nilikm.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
2 day old here this morning, the loveliest way to end the week. Infant had her RSV vaccine at birth. Gave her mum a booster of the Covid-19 vaccine and a flu shot. Friendly reminder to get your Covid-19 and flu shots this autumn (and RSV vaccines for infants/seniors who haven’t had one). 💉
412022
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Julie Lam @msjulieslam.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
“CO2 at 2035 PPM says poor ventilation. #NYCC is a zoo this year! COVID is Not Over!” #MaskTogetherAmerica interviewed 33 maskers on the 1st day of 2026 @newyorkcomiccon.bsky.social. Public health needs to prioritize prevention of aerosol - infection that triggers disabling chronic illness.
14714
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Nick Tsergas @nicktsergas.ca · 09/10/2026
It's unacceptable that six years in we are still doing this. Evidence strongly supports a summer rollout, not a vaccine campaign after everyone has already been infected. We do not approach other viruses this way and there are very good reasons why. 3/3
2599
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
Nick Tsergas @nicktsergas.ca · 09/10/2026
Kids have been in school for a month, mine home sick all week. It's the latest round of covid, for which neither they nor me have an updated vaccination for. Nor does my wife, who works in a hospital. Not high-risk enough apparently. So now we must once again raw-dog the novel pathogen. 2/3
2283
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
www.cidrap.umn.edu/measles/meas...
cidrap.umn.edu
Measles can cast a long shadow, even after an apparent full recovery
010
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
www.sciencealert.com/brain-scans-... #LongCovid Canadian study
sciencealert.com
Long COVID May Be Burning Out The Brain's Reward System
Scientists have discovered a distinct change in the brains of people with long COVID that might explain some of the illness's most debilitating symptoms.
000
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
www.wsws.org/en/articles/...
wsws.org
Latest UK COVID-19 Inquiry report documents impact of privatisation, wasted resources and cronyism
Authored by Baroness Heather Hallett, the report documents cost-cutting in pivotal logistics, £10 billion wasted on inadequate or unused PPE, and millions lost to unpursued fraud.
000
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
John Dupuis @dupuisj.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
What it’s like to be still masking, Taking Covid seriously, Supporting the teacher workforce, and more johndupuis.substack.com/p/what-its-l...
johndupuis.substack.com
What it’s like to be still masking, Taking Covid seriously, Supporting the teacher workforce, and more
Bonus ICU-acquired infection sucks
0369
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
VC @vgc1720.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
From IG @unambigousscience
28539
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Request for new volunteers for Food Not Bombs Kitchener-Waterloo to take on leadership roles. Email fnb.kitchener@gmail.com or DM them on Instagram www.instagram.com/fnb_kw/
Call for volunteers!

We are looking for new Lead Cooks & Food Safety Certified volunteers!
Our lead cooks run Food Not Bombs weekly, cooking the meal and leading other volunteers in our tasks. It's always a team effort, but we're looking for more folks willing to take on a leadership role!
* Familiarity with cooking needed
* Available to volunteer one Saturday per month from 2-6pm
* Passion for mutual aid
* Food safety certification a bonus (but we pay for the course)!

Please email or DM us if interested!
030
Mask Bloc Waterloo Region @maskblocwr.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Meeting October 24, 12 to 2, to learn more about Food Not Bombs Kitchener-Waterloo. Masks mandatory.
Food Not Bombs KW
General Meeting & New Volunteer Orientation
Saturday October 24
12-2 PM
St John The Evangelist Church
21 Water St N, Kitchener
All welcome for our fall General Meeting and new volunteer orientation! Come join us in mutual aid!
Face masks mandatory
Let's keep our community safer!
Food Not Bombs Kitchcner-Waterloo logo
LSPIRG Laurier Students' Public Interest Research Group logo
010
Reposted by Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
rahaeli @rahaeli.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
Covered in this thread: 1. The underlying science behind the link 2. Antihistamines as COVID prevention practical advice 3. Prophylactic antihistamines to make you not feel like shit after a COVID vaccine practical advice 4. Antihistamines during an active COVID infection to prevent long COVID
224375