Pandemic Resistance Inc
LightNews LightNews
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
Pandemic Resistance Inc
@pandemicresistance.bsky.social
430 followers 380 following 110 posts
We're a grassroots, community organisation committed to spreading awareness of the damage COVID is doing around the world and to combat COVID misinformation. Get involved at pandemicresistance.org. Donate at https://gofund.me/3b22859e
Posts Replies Media Videos
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
Time to lighten the mood!

We want to hear your wittiest, most inspiring response when someone asks you the inevitable question:

"Why are you still masking"?"
Text: Comment your sharpest, funniest reply when asked: Why are you still masking?
August 19, 2025 at 6:38 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
This is why we are fighting for your right to mask.

There has been progress on the anti-protest laws in Victoria, but there is a long way to go.

Once we lose the right to mask, it will be harder to get it back.

We must protect our right to mask, now!

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Text: "Several sources involved in the consultation process, some of whom have requested anonymity as the bill’s wording is not finalised, have said that roundtable discussions in April prompted concessions from the Allan government." 1/4 Text: "This included dropping plans for a full ban on “face coverings” at protests, which was planned to carry a fine of up to $2,000. Instead, it is understood the government will propose penalties only when a person wearing a face covering is refusing to cooperate with police or believed to be committing a criminal act." 2/4 Text: “The prohibition on masks has serious impacts on community health, the participation of people with disabilities, the participation of victim-survivors of domestic and sexual violence in protest. It’s not an appropriate way to address the problems of racist violence, which is what the laws were advertised as tackling,” Radievska said. 3/4 Text: “These groups have worked to ensure that any restrictions that are introduced – although we’ve argued that Victoria doesn’t need new protest restrictions – are appropriately targeted and don’t impact on the participation of these vulnerable groups in protests, and actually target radicalised violence and hate.” 4/4
August 16, 2025 at 11:30 PM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
We said yesterday was the final story, but this one was too shocking, not to share.

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: My oncologist said I could remove my mask because the local ICU had spare beds. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
August 16, 2025 at 7:20 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
This is our final story, however our survey will remain open:

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: Reporting on behalf of child who was in Grade 1 (7 years old) and masking at school. Another Grade 1 student approached, stood directly in front of masked child, put their face right in front of theirs, and deliberately exhaled into their face/mask. The student involved in this incident has parents who vocally oppose mask-wearing. Our child was very upset by the incident (and others like it, including negative comments from other students, teachers and staff) and no longer masks at school. As parents we found this incident threatening because the behaviour was very deliberate, indicated some premeditation, and was unexpected for that age group. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
August 15, 2025 at 5:39 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
This is our penultimate story, so please get your responses in to:

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: My elderly grandmother was in hospital for an operation. A patient a few doors down was known to be COVID positive. I ensured that my grandmother was wearing a N95. When the consultant came to visit, she asked why on earth we were wearing masks and told my grandmother she didn't need to wear one. It was done in an extremely dismissive way. It felt very discouraging given the strong power dynamic. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
August 14, 2025 at 6:05 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
Healthcare education needs to be revamped and quickly!

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: I am in medicine. I was at an orientation for a new rotation and the consultant was running a 'get to know you' session for all of the healthcare professionals. When they got to me, they did not ask any questions about me and instead said, "What's going on here??" (gesturing to my mask). I tried to be lighthearted and say "Oh, I just don't like getting sick." They would not accept this for an answer. It was quite humiliating being called out for it in front of colleagues (I was the only person in an N95; no other people were wearing masks). I was shocked that the consultant did it in front of everyone, too. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
August 13, 2025 at 5:35 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
With friends like these, who needs enemies!?

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: We were asked to a party and decided to go and wear masks. A friend tried to ask my partner to remove his mask and harassed him. Our friend and his partner deliberately initially made no eye contact and tried to ostracise us, when we did not know many people there. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
August 12, 2025 at 6:36 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
This is the final week to respond to our survey, please share your experiences at:

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: My 16-year-old son was told to remove his mask or not be allowed to catch the bus. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
August 11, 2025 at 6:49 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
Today marks the end of our second week sharing your survey responses.

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: I work in healthcare, and would continue wearing a respirator out of principle even if I didn't care about being sick myself. One patient seemed to take offence to me wearing a mask around him, informing me that I "could take that mask off — nobody's sick around here." It bothers me that people who work in healthcare don't seem to understand asymptomatic, airborne transmission, nor be interested in infection control beyond what is mandated from above. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
August 8, 2025 at 5:47 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
Some of these stories are so disheartening, but it is important that they are shared.

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: At a children's play area and a male stranger with his daughter started coughing near us. He explained to his daughter that we were basically being crazy to wear masks. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
August 7, 2025 at 6:36 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our mask survey so far!

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: Worst example was in Bunnings about a year ago. Big rough looking man was following me and taking photos/video on his phone. I stood square in the middle of the aisle and made eye contact after a while and he walked away. I left without getting what I needed. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
August 6, 2025 at 6:47 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
We want to hear your masking stories, no matter where you are in the world!

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: I went into a bakery I had been using for many years. The owner ignored me and when I ensured that she had to serve me, she pretended she couldn’t hear me and rolled her eyes about me at the people in line behind me. I’ve not been back. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
August 5, 2025 at 6:41 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
After a break on the weekend, we are back to sharing your masking stories:

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: I asked the receptionist if the doctor would mask when booking the appointment. She said "we don't need to mask anymore" and when pressed, said that I could just as easily catch it at the supermarket, as if it's okay to get infected by the GP. I can get my groceries delivered, but I don't have a choice but to go to the doctor. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
August 4, 2025 at 6:13 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
Thank you for continuing to share your stories with us at:

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: A man in the supermarket said to me "missing a few brain cells, are you?". I laughed, but I was scared when I later saw him walking towards me in the carpark. Turns out he was parked next to me. He just got in his car and drove off, but I wasn't sure what he might do. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
August 1, 2025 at 5:44 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
What has your experience of masking been like? We would like to know!

You can share details at:

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: I was asked to remove mask at the post office to check ID. When I refused, they would not give me my parcel. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
July 31, 2025 at 6:11 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
Check in daily to see a new story that has been shared to:

pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: Was asked “what's up with the mask?” by a retail shop owner and then told “never come back to my shop” because we “look dodgy”. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
July 30, 2025 at 6:07 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
We are looking for your masking stories, no matter where you are in the world.

Submit yours at: pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey

Protect our right to mask!
Text: Random man, while walking past me, says "you should be burned to death” Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
July 29, 2025 at 6:00 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
We will be sharing your stories that have been submitted to - pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey - over the coming weeks. Today we share the first story.

Protect our right to mask!
Text: We've endured multiple public accusations of child abuse when people see us with our masked child. Someone approached us, got up close and berated us for several minutes. We've been filmed, questioned aggressively “why are you wearing a mask” and then followed for a long way up the street. A group of men yelled “take your mask off” from a car as they careened around a corner. Protect our right to mask! pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Pandemic Resistance Inc
July 28, 2025 at 5:03 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
We want to understand the types of public interactions you are experiencing as a result of masking. Anything from off-hand comments to more extreme behaviour. Help us identify patterns and pressure points, so that we can advocate for safer, more inclusive public spaces.

Survey link in thread
Have your say. Mask survey - pandemicresistance.org/mask-survey Now open!
July 25, 2025 at 5:27 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
How does submitting your Australian hospital story to pandemicresistance.org/safe-access work?

How do you view your story once it has been submitted?

How do you view information about a hospital you are about to visit?

This explainer gives you an answer to all these questions!
July 24, 2025 at 6:03 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
Our billboard campaign is over, but collecting information about hospitals will continue.

Have you been to hospital recently?

Are you going to hospital soon?

You can share details or look up reports from others at the hospital you are attending at:

pandemicresistance.org/safe-access
July 21, 2025 at 6:54 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
This is our final story.

Thank you to everyone who engaged with our campaign and shared their stories at:

pandemicresistance.org/safe-access

Please continue to share details of your time in hospital.

Everyone deserves safe access to healthcare!
I go to a DBT day program every week and in the confirmation text, they directly state not to come in with cold/flu symptoms. Last week, there was someone who had COVID 2 days prior, was still showing symptoms and refused to wear a mask. When I expressed my frustration to the reception, explicitly stating that I am disabled and many other people are, they brushed it off saying that ‘every one is sick, it’s winter’.
July 19, 2025 at 1:22 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
We have wrapped up our billboard campaign, but will continue to share stories submitted to pandemicresistance.org/safe-access for the rest of the week.

Everyone deserves safe access to healthcare!
Text: My 91-year-old mother was having major abdominal surgery for bowel cancer. None of the nurses were wearing any masks, and my mother was too ill to wear one. One nurse, noticing me wearing my N95 mask, said to me and my mother 'Oh, we all have to get Covid sometimes' in a very flippant manner. Luckily, my mother recovered without contracting COVID-19. It was an appalling experience to think of how much she was enduring and how easily she could have lost her life or at least her ability to continue to live independently.
July 18, 2025 at 6:29 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
Today's story is about how to stand up for your rights as a patient, which was submitted to:

pandemicresistance.org/safe-access

Today, also marks the final day our billboard will run for this campaign.

Everyone deserves safe access to healthcare
Determined to have safe treatment, I contacted the hospital executive pre-admission for planned surgery. I advised that I would be requiring ALL staff interacting with me in any way to wear a N95. Also, that I did not consent to be placed in an unsafe environment in the vicinity of ANYONE with obvious respiratory symptoms. I advised I would bring my own HEPA filter & required it to be turned on at all times. Also, my N95 was to be secured in place anytime I was unable to do so myself- ie under sedation/anaesthetic. I advised if these measures WERE NOT PUT IN PLACE AND I contracted ANY airborne pathogen within known incubation periods of my admission, I would exercise ALL remedies at my disposal. In relation to this, I referenced my rights under:- . The Australian Charter of Patient Rights . The Workplace Health & Safety Act Qld . The Code of Conduct for all registered health Professionals with AHPRA, and . The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Infection Prevention and Control The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Action could include complaints to OHO, Workspace, and/or civil litigation. Several *interesting* phone calls later, I was assured my requests would be complied with. They allowed my husband into recovery to ensure mask compliance. I was placed in a single room (my CO2 monitor readings made it clear I was breathing the same recycled air as everyone else on the ward - so my mask stayed on 24/7!!) Everyone walked on eggshells. But it worked!! There ARE laws which protect us & those of us with the ability to push the system need to draw the line in the sand on behalf of everyone.
July 17, 2025 at 6:35 AM
pandemicresistance.bsky.social
Another awful story from an Australian hospital submitted to:

pandemicresistance.org/safe-access

By visiting the above page, you can also search for the hospital you are attending, to see if any of these stories are from that hospital.

Everyone deserves safe access to healthcare
My husband was diagnosed with throat cancer. He needed twice weekly chemotherapy and daily radiation. During his diagnosis, he saw multiple oncologists, nurses, radiologists the usual unrelenting appointments. Not once were we greeted by medical staff wearing a mask in fact there were zero mitigation measures. I tried to open a door for fresh air as the chemotherapy room was basically multiple pods. No doors or windows opened, no air purification nothing. If a patient tested positive for Covid they were still encouraged to attend radiation but their appointment was moved to late afternoon. Again, no masks. On ward twice due to needing an ambulance (no masks on paramedics) brought through ED and placed in a cubicle next to a Covid patient who I might add was free to walk around the hospital. I put in multiple complaints and was gaslit. At one point the complaints department stated “masks don’t work!! There’s studies to prove it” I demanded a link to the article but it never arrived. I emailed the health minister and bombarded their social media. The ongoing reply was “It’s a personal choice left up to staff”
July 16, 2025 at 5:51 AM