Coast to Montreal, Canada; to Christchurch,
New Zealand; to Bristol, UK; people are
marching their streets for change despite the
threat of COVID-19.
These demonstrations, rallies and protests
are expected to continue, at least for the near
future. This during a time that state and local
governments in Oregon are issuing new
directives for increased use of facial coverings
and most cities in Lincoln County are once
again recommending against gatherings of
more than 10 people. The CDC has warned
that any in-person gathering comes with
risks, but on the lower end of risk level are
“smaller outdoor and in-person gatherings in
which individuals from different households
remain spaced at least six feet apart, wear
cloth face coverings, do not share objects,
and come from the same local area (e.g.,
community, town, city, or county).”
Protesters take a knee at a McMinnville rally
Some experts see properly social
distanced gathering such as Newport’s
small rally as safer than family and friends
getting together for a Fourth of July picnic
or graduation celebration. This is because
strangers tend to stay separated. At family
gatherings, people tend to hug each other
or feel that a mask isn’t necessary or play a
quick game of frisbee. So, folks, if you want
to show your support, protest racism or share
your story at one of the many Black Lives
Matter events coming up, Stay Safe; wear a
mask, keep your six-foot cushion and stay
local.
•••
In addition to being professional
photographers, Krista Melone and Rachel Baird
are co-owners of Tah•Lume Curiosities & Gifts,
which offers online commerce at www.tahlume.
com.
the rally and told us that she “support[s]
people continuing to exercise their First
Amendment right to peaceful protest, no
matter what the issue, as long as they follow
the masking and distancing guidelines.” A
diverse bunch of rallygoers, young and old,
wore their masks and kept plenty of space
between each group.
Speaking to a few protestors we found
that those who had braved a public
gathering were there because they felt it
was an important enough issue to warrant
some increased exposure to the virus.
One demonstrator, who asked not to be
named stated “I fear this virus as much as
every knowledgeable person does. I have
been a nurse my entire life; I want to be
safe and well. But right now, a greater
danger to America exists that is deep and
institutionalized. So, I put on my mask and
stayed six feet from those who did not ride
in my car and went to a rally.”
Although there is no true way to
know why it was George Floyd’s death in
particular that sparked the global response
to racism, it is obvious that it came at a time
when people were ready to take to the streets
to speak out. From the Central Oregon
oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • June 26, 2020 • 13