Coronavirus Could Spread At Protests, Experts Urge Caution

SEATTLE, WA — Thousands of Washingtonians have been coming together to protest police violence and the death of George Floyd, who was killed while being restrained by police in Minneapolis last week. It's an important moment for many community members, but rallies like these are also opportunities for the coronavirus to spread.

Health officials for both King County and the state Department of Health say they understand the community's need to come together and speak out against injustice, but they want to remind everyone to protect themselves when they do so.

“The actions of these police officers are unconscionable and so blatantly racist, the outrage is justified. I stand with our communities of color, our neighbors and my friends who continue to experience these atrocities and unbelievable trauma." said Patty Hayes, the Director of Public Health for Seattle and King County. "We can’t let COVID-19 distract us from our resolve. Let us join together in King County and show how it is possible to break down the historical institutional racism that affects our communities every day.”

Health care experts say there are a few ways protesters can try to keep their communities safe even if they are out in the public:

• Try to practice safe social distancing even at demonstrations. That means wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, not touching your face, and staying home when you're not at a protest or rally.
• Protesters who have been in large groups should monitor their health for coronavirus symptoms for 14 days afterwards. If you do develop symptoms, get tested right away.
• Consider your mental health and the health of others around you. Health experts say police killings like George Floyd's can be traumatic, especially for the black members of our community. They urge anyone who is concerned to check up on their friends, and take time to consider their own feelings as well. Here are some of King County's mental health resources.

As always, anyone currently suffering coronavirus symptoms is strongly encouraged to stay home and avoid crowds and demonstrations.

Health experts remain optimistic that the demonstrations will not spread the coronavirus too severely. At a conference Monday, Gov. Inslee said the state's coronavirus response strategy will not change because of the protests, and health officials note that virus is generally harder to transmit in outdoor settings. So, while gathering in large groups is certainly not the safest way to protect oneself from the coronavirus, county health officials say they understand why so many people chose to come together and fight for equality.

"The local and national outcry we are witnessing around the value of black life is an unbridled statement of outrage that demands equality, equitable justice, and the right to live free of constraints," said Derrick Wheeler-Smith, the director of Zero Youth Detention for Public Health - Seattle and King County. "These sentiments are felt deeply, and we want everyone here in King County to know we see you and we hear you. We stand against racism, against hatred, and against the violent acts inflicted on your black and brown bodies.”

Department of Health Assistant Secretary Lauren Jenks shared a similar sentiment in a release Monday evening:

Racism is a public health threat we can’t ignore. Nor can we wait until the pandemic is over to address it. The violent, senseless death of George Floyd and the ensuing national outrage is a sobering reminder that violence against Black people has occurred in this country since our very beginnings. The Department of Health stands with our Black community members and all People of Color in solidarity, support, and love.

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12,000 Complaints Allege Police Misconduct At Seattle Protests