Edinburgh Mask Bloc
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edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
Edinburgh Mask Bloc
@edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
130 followers 58 following 49 posts
High filtration mask distribution in Edinburgh

Email edinmaskbloc@proton.me for details and requests!
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edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who visited TAGS festival and the Radical Book Fair, and wore a mask to keep everyone safer! Did you spot these fantastic minis @covidcrafting.bsky.social made for us, or pick up some of their stickers?
A long covid poster featuring Shrek, a snow leopard plush wearing a bifold mask, a stack of stickers for the Edinburgh Mask Bloc, business cards, and four miniature models of people in masks, some of them holding signs saying Edin mask bloc, all arranged on a table.
November 13, 2025 at 6:11 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
We'll be at the book fair on Sunday to share masks, info and excitement about all these fantastic community groups! 12-3 to accommodate our members' needs.

Especially come find us if you want a large amount of masks for your business! We want to pass a recent acquisition into the community asap
Text on blue gradient background. In the bottom left corner, a drawing of someone coughing into their hand, with clouds and virus particles swirling around them. Text reads: Do you run a business in Edinburgh? Keep your staff and customers from getting ill this winter! We have acquired a large amount of masks and are giving them away for free in packs of 100. Put them on your service counter, in your reception area, or your break room! It’s not inevitable to get “that cold that’s going around”. Come to the Radical Book Fair at Assembly Roxy this Sunday between 12 and 3pm to pick up a free bag
November 7, 2025 at 4:53 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
We're back with more crafts next week! Join us at Lavender Menace Queer Book Archive on Tuesday evening for a chill time. If you want to lean into the season, we'll have Halloween-themed crafts, but you're also welcome to just come and chat with us about books, crafts, and anything else!
Text surrounded by different crafts. The text reads: Masked crafts with Edinburgh Mask Bloc, 7pm-8:30pm, Tuesday October 28th. Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive, Edinburgh Palette, St. Margaret's House & online. We’ll provide masks and some Halloween-themed crafts, but you’re welcome to bring your own
October 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
Happy Autumn! It's time for another event roundup 😊 Come say hi to us at @tagsfest.co.uk or @lighthousebks.bsky.social's Radical Book Fair, which are also supported by @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social, come to our crafting session or enjoy some of the many other covid safer events!
On backgrond of autumn leaves on a string: Covid Safer Events in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Autumn 2025 edition. Do you know of other covid-conscious events this autumn, anywhere in Scotland? Let us know and we’ll add it to our calendar! One-off events: Sat 18th October, 1pm: Edinburgh Butch Club Film Screening of “Outlaw”, Edinburgh Student Housing Cooperative. Masks required, Air purifier Sat 25th October, 2pm-6pm: Glasgow Mask Bloc Clothes Swap & Fundraiser, PlutoQ Community Reading Room, Glasgow. Masks required, Tests available, Air purifier Tue 28th October, 6pm-8pm: Edinburgh Mask Bloc Crafting session Lavender Menace Queer Book Archive, Edinburgh. Masks required, Air purifier, Online option. Check out the individual organisations for exact precautions and more information! Edinburgh Mask Bloc & Air Library Scotland will be at: Sat & Sun 25th-26th October, 10am-5pm: TAGS Festival Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh. Masks required, Air purifiers provided by Air Library Scotland Thurs 6th - Sun 9th November: Radical Book Fair - Ecosystems of Change Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh. Masks required, Air Purifiers provided by Air Library Scotland, Online option Check out the individual organisations for exact precautions and more information! Ongoing events & Covid-safer spaces: PlutoQ Community Reading Room Covid conscious Open Space/Events on Wednesdays and Fridays Masks required, Tests available, Air purifier Glasgow Zine Library First Saturday each month masking can be requested for events Masks required, Air purifier Glasgow Women’s Library Friday Afternoons Masks required, Air purifier Lighthouse Books Events Indoors events Masks required, Air purifier, Online option Check out the individual organisations for exact precautions and more information!
October 9, 2025 at 4:38 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
We've been recording the highest wastewater levels of the year this month and the trend keeps going up. Get masked up for this autumn!
Covid Wastewater levels in Scotland End of September 2025. A graph shows a sharp spike in August 2024, a low winter, and slow rise throughout summer 2025 to the current highest levels of the year. Text underneath: We missed the summer wave, but cases are rising now - mask up, stay warm and safe Get cosy - but not with Covid-19! As the weather gets colder, activities move inside, and the academic year begins, we’re seeing an uptick in the wastewater, so there’s likely more Covid cases in the community. Don’t dismiss illness: mask up so you don’t pass it on and stay home resting if you can! Negative LFTs are not reliable, but you can improve chances of an accurate result by testing 3 times over 4 days. Aim for two negative consecutive tests before being social again. Keep your face warm and your health safe with a mask Text on the left: If you need masks or want help to keep yourself and each other safe, message Edinburgh Mask Bloc or Glasgow Mask Bloc We still have some variety packs if you’re not sure what works for you We also post masks if you are not local! On the right are images of people of different skin colours fist bumping, and a mask alongside a pile of letters.
September 26, 2025 at 5:25 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
We're taking advantage of the Masked Mornings the Edinburgh Art Festival offers at their Pavilion Hub! Join us at 9am this coming Monday morning to explore their exhibition space. Please let us know if you intend to join us so we know how many people to expect!
An abstract splash of many colours at the top and a line drawing of three people wearing masks at the bottom are framing text: "Let's look at some art! Monday, August 18, 9am. Edinburgh Art Festival Pavilion, 45 Leith Street. Meet in the lobby!" At the bottom it reads "Swipe for access information" with an arrow pointing right The same colourful blob at the top, with text underneath: "The EAF Pavilion is situated on Leith Street, with several bus stops nearby, but on a steep hill. The space includes: Level access throughout Accessible and gender neutral toilets Dedicated quiet space Access and sensory equipment Face masks Check their website for more detailed information! Masking will be required throughout the space, including staff, from 9am to 11am"
August 15, 2025 at 9:19 AM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
We have installed boxes with a mix of FFP2 masks across town - bifold and boat/fish shapes with earloops and headbands all available. Check opening hours and access info for @lighthousebks.bsky.social, the EAF pavilion and Edinburgh Hacklab to see where you might find your new favourite mask 😷💫
Two photos of small cardboard boxes full of masks on shelves surrounded by books and other objects. Arrows point to each of the boxes. Text around them reads: Pick up free masks at one of our new mask stations! Lighthouse Books, Edinburgh Art Festival Pavilion, Edinburgh Hacklab. All of them contain a selection of FFP2 masks of different shapes and earloop & headband options, as well as zines. Looking for something specific? Message or email us!
August 13, 2025 at 8:40 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
Scottish summer may be unreliable, but as long as you've got a mask in your pocket alongside your umbrella and your sunglasses, you're prepared for anything!
Message us to get free high quality masks and enjoy this Disability Pride Month safely 😷
Covid wastewater levels in Scotland: Start of July 2025. A graph shows similar curves in early summer last year and this year, but lower this year. Text underneath reads: The wastewater trend has been going up, but we’re doing better than last year - let’s keep that curve down! Show your solidarity this Disability Pride Month and beyond Under the headline "Scottish Summer Essentials - don't get caught without yours!" is a pile of useful items to carry every day. They include sunscreen, sunglasses, a foldable umbrella, a face mask, and a water bottle. Text underneath reads: Make a habit of keeping a mask in your daily bag like sunglasses and water, so you can pop it on easily - all of them protect your body from avoidable damage! Text on the left: If you need masks or want help to keep yourself and each other safe, message Edinburgh Mask Bloc or Glasgow Mask Bloc We still have some variety packs if you’re not sure what works for you We also post masks if you are not local! On the right are images of people of different skin colours fist bumping, and a mask alongside a pile of letters.
July 3, 2025 at 6:36 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
Join us for chill crafts and social time next Tuesday, July 8th, from 6pm to 8pm at Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive and online! We'll bring a variety of masks and crafts to try, and you're welcome to bring your own or just come hang out.
Text surrounded by different crafts. The text reads: Masked crafts with Edinburgh Mask Bloc, 6pm-8pm, Tuesday July 8th. Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive, Edinburgh Palette, St. Margaret's House & online. Bring a craft or try one there!
July 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
It's been heartening to see individuals and organisations step up and recognise that offering masked events/spaces expands accessibility and keeps everyone safer, including able-bodied people!

Check out these events or opening times with added precautions in Edinburgh & Glasgow this summer ☀️😷🌧️
Text on pale teal background around a doodled image of three people with face masks checking out some art. Big headline reads: Staying Safe & Having Fun: Covid Safer Events in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Summer 2025 edition. Small text below reads: Do you know of other covid-conscious events this summer, anywhere in Scotland? Let us know and we’ll add it to our calendar! One-off events: Sat 28th June, 2pm-5pm: Parallel Lines - A COVID-safer afternoon of neurodivergent poetry and play PlutoQ Community Reading Room, Glasgow Masks required Tests available Air purifier Sat & Sun 5th & 6th July, 11am-6pm: Zine Fair at Glasgow Zine Fest Tramway 1, Glasgow Masks required (can also be requested for other Zine Fest events) Tue 8th July, 6pm-8pm: Edinburgh Mask Bloc Crafting session Lavender Menace Queer Book Archive, Edinburgh Masks required Tests available Air purifier Online option Mondays 11th & 18th August, 9am-11am: Edinburgh Art Festival Masked Mornings EAF Pavilion (Leith Street), Edinburgh Masks required Check out the individual organisations for exact precautions and more information! Ongoing events & Covid-safer spaces: PlutoQ Community Reading Room Covid conscious Open Space/Events on Wednesdays and Fridays Masks required Tests available Air purifier Glasgow Zine Library First Saturday each month masking can be requested for events Masks required Air purifier Glasgow Women’s Library Friday Afternoons Masks required Air purifier Lighthouse Books Events Indoors events Masks required Air purifier Online option Edinburgh Zine Library First Thursday of the month, last Sunday of the month Masks required Air purifier Check out the individual organisations for exact precautions and more information!
June 24, 2025 at 1:18 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
Summer is coming (even if the nice weather has just left), and so might be the next covid wave. Whether you're continuing to mask or want to come back to it, we can help you out with masks to try, places to source them, or help if you're ill! Message us or email edinmaskbloc@proton.me
Graph of covid wastewater levels in Scotland, with May 24 and 25 marked. They're at similar levels, with a dip before both of them, but the 24 one is followed by a big spike in the summer. Text around the graph reads: Covid wastewater levels in Scotland: May 2025. Keep caring even when wastewater levels seem low Every broken chain of transmission counts! Screenshot of a news article under the title: A new wave is driving waves in Asia and the Middle East and is spreading worldwide. The news article is from May 28th, 2025, written by Stephanie Sucheray, for CIDRAP. It's titled: WHO warns of rising COVID activity in 3 global regions. Text reads: The World Health Organization (WHO) today posted an outbreak notice about a rise in COVID activity in three of its regions, driven by the new variant NB.1.8.1. “Since mid-February 2025, according to data available from sentinel sites, global SARS-CoV-2 activity has been increasing, with the test positivity rate reaching 11%, levels that have not been observed since July 2024,” the WHO said in the report. Blue text on a blue and white background: As we head into summer, remember: Blue Text on a white and blue background: Covid is not seasonal, and we often see big waves over the summer! But warmer weather can make it easier to reduce the risk of catching it, for example by doing things outdoors, where infection is less likely, and opening windows for airflow inside. The best time to start masking again is now, and any mask is better than no mask! Ask us about the options we have available for free or try one that you have at home Text on the left: If you need masks or help keeping yourself and each other safe, message Edinburgh Mask Bloc or Glasgow Mask Bloc We still have some variety packs if you’re not sure what works for you We also post masks if you are not local! On the right are images of people of different skin colours fist bumping, and a mask alongside a pile of letters.
May 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
Covid wastewater levels in Scotland are on the rise again: mask up and stay safe! Message us if you need free masks

Alongside Covid, we've seen a rise in repression and violence against marginalised people. Don't let them divide us, our causes are connected - love & fight for everyone's freedom
Covid wastewater levels in Scotland: April 2025. A graph shows the wastewater levels of covid-19 since January 2024. Both 2024 and 2025 have a dip from January onward, but start rising again in April. The 2024 levels keep rising to a very tall peak in July and August. Text below: A gentle but persistent increase mirrors last year - which led to one of the highest wastewater surges we’ve seen since 2020. Take care & mask up! Text on white with a dark blue frame: Institutions are deliberately failing marginalised communities - from the Welfare and Assisted Dying Bills that will drive more disabled people into poverty and death, the recent Supreme Court decision that will leave all trans and intersex people even more open to harassment and discrimination, to the brutal videos of deportations normalising violence against Brown and Black people. Fascism is here. WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR EACH OTHER Building community is vital to resist. Grab some friends, help out your neighbours, grow something. WE WANT TO KEEP YOU IN THE FIGHT Wearing a mask protects your health, so you can keep fighting for yourself and others. It also lets those who want to contribute but can’t risk Covid or other infections be a part of your community, which can be life-saving. Text on the left: If you need masks or help keeping yourself and each other safe, message Edinburgh Mask Bloc or Glasgow Mask Bloc We still have some variety packs if you’re not sure what works for you We also post masks if you are not local! On the right are images of people of different skin colours fist bumping, and a mask alongside a pile of letters.
April 21, 2025 at 11:23 AM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
We've started a social discord server for people who still care about Covid in the Edinburgh area! This is part of our ongoing work to offer community for those left alone by the denial of the ongoing pandemic - it's both for talking about covid and also sharing anything else with people who get it
A phone screen with a message on discord visible on it, on a colourful background. The message is from Covid Conscious People in Your Area in the Edinburgh Masked Pals server. The message reads: Hey, don't you wish there was an easy way to connect with all those other covid conscious people in your community you're sure exist but you barely ever bump into because you're both avoiding the crowd? Are all the relevant online community too global so everyone you meet is on the other side of the world, too unintuitive to use, or too owned by [REDACTED] or [REDACTED] Introducing the Niche Discord Server ™️ Make new covid-safer friends! Join foraging walks! Join a book club! Share covid safety tips! Talk about lichen! **Being deeply into lichen is not required, but apparently extremely likely, according to rigorous research
April 15, 2025 at 4:24 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
Happy Long Covid Awareness Month - wear a mask so you don't give or get Long Covid & stand with disabled people against the government's efforts to demonise and impoverish them
Respiratory disease levels in Scotland: End of March 2025. Influenza, RSV and Covid-19 levels in Scotland are all currently relatively low and stable. Covid wastewater levels have a minor increase this week, so keep an eye on them. This March also marks 5 years of pandemic, and there have been many thinkpieces about lessons or effects - but few of them mention that you can still get Covid, and you can still get disabled by it! The risk of Long Covid and other long-term organ damage rises with each infection, so it’s still important to wear masks and take other precautions. March is Lon Covid Awareness Month... Too many people don’t know that Long Covid can hit anyone, regardless of health and how severe the infection itself was. It’s more likely after cumulative infections, and vaccines only reduce your chance to get it, they don’t eliminate it. Long Covid’s most common symptoms are fatigue that won’t go away from resting, as well as brain fog, but it can also impact your heart, gut, immune system, joints, and more. We have no cure and few treatments for it, and very little support from the medical establishment - Long Covid clinics in the UK are closing down, despite growing numbers of people with Long Covid. If you keep struggling after a Covid infection, or got worse several weeks after recovery, you might have Long Covid! Even without a cure, talk about it with your doctor to see if you can get tests and help, and see if you can find others around you for support and understanding. "...Don't mark it by punishing those most affected. The Labour government has called growing numbers of disabled people in the UK a problem. Many of these people have been disabled by long-term damage caused by Covid, or specifically Long Covid. More research, care and support are needed, and instead we’re given budget cuts and disdain. Don’t buy into their eugenicist lies. Disabled people deserve dignity, care and community, none of which are possible while most spaces are inaccessible and hostile to us. Show Solidarity - Resist eugenics - Wear a mask!"
March 27, 2025 at 9:47 AM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
Join us on Tuesday March 18, from 7pm to 9pm on Zoom, for a Film Screening and Covid Grief Space! We'll watch a short collective film, talk about it and our own experiences, and then decompress with crafting and chatting.

Email us at edinmaskbloc@proton.me to get an invite link!
Covid Grief Space and Film Screening. Marking 5 years since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Britain, we want to offer a space for all of us who know the pandemic isn’t over, to process and grieve. We will watch a short, DIY collective film created as part of the workshop Processing Pandemic Grief Together, led by Kit Blamire at RestFest Film Festival 2024, and chat about it and our own experiences. After this, there will be some time to decompress and come down with chill crafting. Join us on Tuesday March 18, from 7pm to 9pm on Zoom. Email us at edinmaskbloc@proton.me to get an invite link *Please note this event is not therapy* details: 7pm GMT start film screening (~20 mins) reflections & responses (~30 mins) short break crafting comedown (~30 mins) The film has closed captioning, we will also provide a link to an audio described version during the event, and we can offer automated closed captions on Zoom. People are welcome to speak or use the chat, which will be read out. There will be no pressure to share, you can also just come and be in the space with us. You're welcome to have your camera on or off, move how you need and take some space if you need to. If you'd like to stay and colour in or work on a craft project at the end then please bring some bits for that. You're also very welcome to just bring yourself!
March 8, 2025 at 5:16 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
We will also bring some masks along, if you don't have one to hand or want to try a new style! We think the Laianzhi KN95 trifold in gradient colours is a good fit for spring!
A product photo of the Laianzhi KN95 trifold earloop mask in yellow to light blue gradient
March 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
Tired of looking at the news? Look at some flowers instead (alongside folks who won't talk about the pandemic in the past tense)

Grab your mask and join us for a walk in the Edinburgh Botanics on Sunday, March 9 - meeting at 1pm near the East Gate. Please let us know if you're coming!
Text on floral background Botanics Social Join us at 1pm Sunday, March 9 RGBE East Gate Wear a mask!
March 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
Pick your Valentine! 💕

Are you looking for a new mask to love? Here's a few of the new or more unusual masks we have in stock - message us if you have questions, or are interested in one of our variety packs with several different masks
A dummy wearing a grey, strapless, adhesive mask: the readimask. Great for medical appointments - adhesive, MRI safe and can be worn over the nose only for the dentist! A white cup-shaped mask over a plastic inner structure. The edge is covered with a pale blue material. It's identified as Zimi: soft non-breathable fabric around the outer edge and inner structure mean it's sensory friendly: soft on the skin and spacious around the mouth A Kolmi brand duckbill mask with headstraps. Duckbill: the large surface area makes this style of mask super breathable and comfortable - perfect for a workout or long wear a duckbill shape mask with a clear window in the upper half. Text reads: clear mask. This mask enables lip reading through the front window and can be useful in security contexts too, like at an airport
February 14, 2025 at 6:49 PM
edinmaskbloc.bsky.social
Flu & covid levels are trending down in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, but masking helps you avoid encounters with them as well as many of the illnesses that are becoming more common, often as a result of weakened immune systems from previous infections. Take your health seriously, wear a mask!
Respiratory disease update for Scotland February 2025: a graph of hospital admissions in Scotland for flu, RSV and Covid, all trending down. An arrow at the bottom points to the next slide, labeled Here's why you should still wear a mask Collected graphs of illnesses in England across time, all going up, some very fast, since 2020. Text below reads: Infections of all sorts are increasing. Masking might not protect us from all of them, but any reduction of illness and protection of our immune systems are worthwhile endeavours. Every Covid infection has a chance to damage your immune system and make it easier to get sick, or get sicker from any bug. The idea that your immune system needs to be strengthened by exposing it to germs is a common misconception and does not apply to viruses, only some types of bacteria. Most of us will have had Covid at least once by now, whether we know it or not. We know cumulative infections matter when it comes to Covid: each infection increases your chances of getting Long Covid or other complications. Your health - and that of those around you - is precious. Image at the bottom is two masked martial artists fighting off a cartoonish virus particle, and a big curved banner under it reads Wear A Mask!
February 9, 2025 at 11:16 AM