02/27/2026
“It’s crucial in the same way condoms and STI screenings are crucial to sexual health. Mitigation is mitigation, and if we purport to value consent and testing, then it only makes sense that unwanted exposure to viral illness be respected and modeled.”—Behind the 3M N95 respirator is Kae , a journalist, poet, creative, and dedicated public health advocate in Chicago, raising awareness with .
“I wear a mask because I am invested in both my survival and the survival of those I’ll never meet. As a Black trans writer, I am concerned with our county’s endless propensity for violence. I am invested in small voices that can create waves of change, and masking connects me to the importance of moments. They ripple and affect change whether I’m aware of it or not, so I will continue masking to chip away at violence against my communities.”
is about honoring the, often overlooked, achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black individuals and communities.
