MaskTogetherAmerica

@togetherwemask.bsky.social

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đŸ˜· + 💉+ 🔄 +🧮 Multi-layer prevention, not infection! We đŸ©” mask & clean air protection. Public Health Education Platform since 2020. MaskTogetherAmerica.org Toolkits: bit.ly/Fight4HealthJustice bit.ly/StopMaskBans instagram.com/masktogetheramerica/

Join Long COVID Defense Series IV (Sep 2nd, 3:40pm – 6:40pm ET) featuring 5 individual Q&A sessions: 3:45pm Robert DeRosa 4:20pm Laura Pensiero 4:55pm Dr. Michael Peluso 5:30pm Dr. David Putrino 6:00pm Dr. David Keegan Register here: https://masktogetheramerica.org/blog/lc-defense-series-iv Visual: Masked portraits of MaskTogetherAmerica’s speakers in round frames encircled with texts that say: “Support Long Haulers and MaskTogetherAmerica”. 
Courney (@courtastr0ph) is wearing a Marble-print @wellbeforehq KN95, a knitted poncho in stripes of dark blue between a section of orange and a section of green. She wears pine cones on her hair.‹
At a mask-required event organized by Breathe Easy London, Aneita, wearing a purple KF94 respirator and a black top, posed for Julie Lam to support the documentary project Julie created for MaskTogetherAmerica.
“Long COVID Skin: Dermatological Manifestations as Windows to Root Causes” A close-up visual of inflammatory papules and localized skin rash on a female forehead during a Long COVlD dermatological flare.
Skye, wearing a CAN99 respirator, blue evening gown, posed for Julie Lam at a mask-required event organized by Breathe Easy London. Raising awareness about Disability Pride Month.
Long COVlD Nerve: What Can Nerve Damage Lead To? The image of a body with a glowing cervical spine is modified from an image credited to Clinical Pain Advisor. 
Molly Brennan (@monsterclowngirl) is a queer middle-aged woman of white. She has gray and silver hair, hazel eyes and a small frame. This is a close up of Molly Brennan standing onstage, holding a black and silver acoustic guitar. She wears a black and white striped blazer, a red wide collar shirt, a black duckbill n95 respirator and a theatrical mask she made of newspaper & cardboard. It is a face with large ears, small eyes, a deeply lined, large forehead, a red clown nose and black and white paper pompadour. Background is a red velvet curtain.
eZme (@MadMaskedMxma & @MaskedPuppetry) started a masked puppetry to entertain kids and adults who are secluded at home. eZme, wearing a flomask (with a floral cover), took a masked selfie behind their miniature puppet stage featuring two puppets: Leysha, a disabled enby puppet on the left in a wheelchair, and Shirley, a neurodiverse girl puppet on the right, wearing a black mask.
Drew Empire, wearing a black KN95, made a box with his fingers when posing for MaskTogetherAmerica at a Positive Deviance event. Photo: Julie Lam
Whitney is wearing a red KN95 and a white T-shirt with red text that says, “girl kisser”
Dr. Raker (@DrElhamraker), wearing a black POWECOM KN95 respirator, took a selfie to raise awareness about treating and preventing Long COVlD.
Zack Clarence, wearing a 3M Aura N95 with a drinking valve installed. Their hand is beind his red/yellow earring that says, “FUCK COVlD.”
Headline: Long COVlD Gut - From Mild Symptoms to Serious Chronic Outcomes Visual: The gut of a human, highlighted in green. The image is modified from an image credited to SciTechDaily, a science news site.
Dr. Asher Williams, wearing a POWECOM KN95 respirator, a denim jacket over a T-shirt, shares a selfie from her day off.
Victoria, wearing a white KN95 at the Toronto Pearson International Airport 
Nikki (@nw_zender) wearing a black KN95 respirator, dressed up as a skeleton, posed for Julie Lam’s camera in front of a sign that says, “Queer & Masking”at an event organized by @theartisticalphabetmafia and @parallel.play.chi on Instagram.
Mr. Ky Why, wearing a 3M Aura, a white sleeveless top, posed for Julie Lam at a rooftop music event hosted by Positive Deviance.
Dr. David Keegan, newly appointed chair of Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Preventive Health Services, wearing a 3M V-flex N95 respirator, a plaid jacket and a check shirt, inside a building of The BC Health Ministry.  
Julie Lam is the Founder of MaskTogetherAmerica, a patient-led advocacy volunteer organization. Go to MaskTogetherAmerica.org for more information
Tank Prusha (@lab_rat_tank), a trans photographer/filmmaker, wearing a 3M Aura N95 respirator, a cap, a T-shirt with graphic, cross-strapped with camera equipment, and holding a handy camcorder with his right hand.
At the Forest Moon Festival in Humboldt, CA, Ruth (@r2inatutu) dressed up as Ewok Jedi, wore a 3M N95 under the cosplay. She took off the Jedi’s head for a selfie.
Visual, a picture of the pancreas in the center of a body. Long COVID: Is Your Pancreas at Risk? New data shows the "Long COVID Pancreas" is a serious reality for many.
Sara Bear, wearing a 3M Aura N95, with her husband, wearing a blue Kn95, posing for a selfie at their farmers market stall, where a banner with their business logo for Upstate Granola hung behind them under the tent.
Miguel, wearing a black mask, holding a Pride flag that represents the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. On his white T-shirt is printed graphic with the word, “DREAMS” at the bottom of the design. Next to him is his friends, all wearing masks. They posed for Julie’s camera at the Pride Fair organized by Act Up NY.
Both Britt and Brian are wearing black BNX N95 respirators installed with sip valves. They posed for Julie Lam who writes for MaskTogetherAmerica at the Positive Deviance Vinyl Music party where everyone is required to wear a respirator while having a fun time.
🆔 Emily, wearing a 3M Aura respirator, installed with a Sip Valve and a mask chain, posed for Julie Lam, founder of MaskTogetherAmerica, at a Positive Deviance “All Vinyl, All Love” rooftop party.
On the left, Nikki wears a white 3M Aura respirator and a black-and-white checkered crinkle top. On the right, Sam wears a black Vitacore CAN99 respirator and a pink shirt. Both have their sunglasses propped on their heads and bag straps over their shoulders as they pose for an outdoor selfie.
Ruth, wearing a Grogu-themed ensemble, including a Grogu-themed headband, cover for her glasses, KN95 respirator, skirt, T-shirt and socks, posed for a selfie at a movie hall in CA to raise awareness about prevention with MaskTogetherAmerica.
Infographic titled "Long COVID Liver" summarizing a 2025 MDPI Life review in a flowchart. The illustration shows the SARS-CoV-2 virus entering via the respiratory system and affecting the liver through several pathways: direct infection via ACE2 receptors and their depletion, Cytokine Storm (systemic inflammation), gut-liver axis with secondary intestine infection, and drug-induced liver injury (DILI).   The illustration of the liver glowing in orange and green over a purple-blueish female anatomy is combined and modified with an image credited to MedlinePlus (NIH) [Source: https://medlineplus.gov/fattyliverdisease.html], and an image of a liver  credited to Apollo247.com. [Source: https://www.apollo247.com/health-topics/fatty-liver/guide-introduction-fatty-liver-disease]  
World Mask Week, May 25-31, 2026
Jamie, wearing a 3M Aura adorned with a gold chain, stylish yellow framed glasses and a see-through black top over a bikini, posed for Julie Lam at a rooptop party hosted by Positive Deviance in NYC.
Alex was wearing a white flomask, a white Chrysanthemum on each side of his head, a white T-shirt and his name tag, standing in front of a yellow-painted wall, at the Make A Scene venue for the role-play festival.
Julie, founder of MaskTogetherAmerica, wears a Rhythm Express remote cardiac (ECG) monitor on her chest. The battery-powered device records intermittent heart activity to detect tachycardia and palpitations—common signs of Cardiovascular Long COVlD that standard resting EKGs often miss. Text: Cardiovascular Long COVlD, hidden but prevalent!
Michael, co-founder of Positive Deviance, wearing an iMask FFP3 respirator, a New York Knicks Jersey No. 8 (worn by Forward Latrell Sprewell), and a NY Yankee cap, posed for Julie Lam at a rooftop mask-required music event hosted by Positive Deviance.
Julie, wearing a black KF94 respirator, adorned with a mask chain, posed for a selfie to raise awareness about the benefits of prevention.
Laura, wearing a black LAIANZHI KN100, a mask chain by Matula’s Mercantile, took this selfie at the purity ring concert, a masked encouraged event with far UVC, masked artists and vendors.
Medical graphic titled "Long COVID Sjögren’s: The Hidden Driver?" featuring a glowing female anatomical silhouette. Over 15 callouts identify systemic symptoms of Sjögren’s including Dysautonomia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Gastroparesis, and Peripheral Neuropathy. The bottom text cites the 2023 JCI Insight study and notes that the visual is modified from an image credited to McDonald and McDonald.  
Curren, wearing a 3M Aura, making hand-poke tattoos for a client.
Tesla, wearing a 3M Aura N95, a pink floral dress, posed for a masked portrait with her arms folded.
During MaskTogetherAmerica’s Long COVID Defense Series III, Dr. Robi Tamargo asks why men are underrepresented in adult Long COVID cohorts, despite their higher risk for severe outcomes and cardiovascular complications. Devin Russell, founder of the Long COVID Foundation, explains that cultural and systemic barriers often prevent men from seeking care or being documented in research. He warns that this data gap leaves everyone vulnerable and emphasizes that inclusive research is the only way to find solutions that work for the entire population. Title: “Why are we seeing less men being included in Long COVID adult cohorts?”
Sharing an annotation of a Today report by Caroline Kee: “Could the Hantavirus Cruise Ship Outbreak Lead to a Pandemic? Experts Explain the Risk Level.” An outbreak of hantavirus has killed three on a cruise ship. Should you be worried? What to know about the Andes strain, how it spreads, and symptoms: https://www.today.com/health/news/hantavirus-cruise-ship-pandemic-risk-covid-2026-rcna343854  [Visual: A screenshot of the news video from Today.com shows a US map highlighting three states—GA, AZ, and CA—where 'Oceanwide' cruise ship passengers have returned home. The title bar reads: “Growing Concerns Over Cruise Ship Virus Spread”.]
Mike, wearing a black KF94, getting nutrient IV at a clinic when he was unable to consume enough liquid and nutrition following an esophagectomy.  
Behind the flomask is Bane who wears a mask when he works out in a gym.
Graphic Headline: Cardiovascular Long COVID —Tracking down those clumps   Main Visual: Fluorescence microscopy images of microclots Source: —Endovascular profiles linked to neutrophil activation in children and young adults with long COVID — National Geographic article: ‘Microclots’ could help solve the long COVID puzzle CAPTION: “The COVlD clots are more resistant to a natural clot-busting process called fibrinolysis and don’t break down easily.” Micrograph by Chantelle Venter and Dr. Resia Pretorius See highlighted studies in comments.
Marc Redding (@KeptOne04), wearing a BNX N95 respirator and a pink shirt, took a selfie to role-model for prevention.
Watch interview of Hip Hop’s artist Drew Empire by Ms. Julie S. Lam.
For this story, Arjan Eikelenboom took a selfie, wearing a white FFP2 EN 149, with filtration ≄94%, nearly equivalent to an N95 respirator in the US, to role model for prevention.
Visual: Close up of an ear glowing in red, black hair, and a hint of green on the skin. Headline: Long COVID Ear—presenting as hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo—is a common manifestation.   Prevalence and characteristics of Long COVID-19 in Jordan: A cross sectional survey. [PLOS, Jan 26, 2024]  Self-reported tinnitus and vertigo or dizziness in a cohort of adult Long COVID patients. [Frontiers, April 2022]  Incidence of hearing loss following COVID-19 among young adults in South Korea: a nationwide cohort study. [eClinicalMedicine 2024] Direct SARS-CoV-2 infection of the human inner ear may underlie COVID-19-associated audiovestibular dysfunction. [Comm. Med 2021] Neuroinflammation in tinnitus. [Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 10(3) 2022]  Long COVID and Tinnitus: a strong link. [Hamid Djalilian | NeuroMed Tinnitus Care]
Stephanie, wearing a V-flex N95 and rose-tinted (FL-41) glasses, which are effective for light sensitivity (Photophobia) and migraines, as they filter out 480-520 nm blue/violet light that causes pain.
Visual: The author’s eye Headline: EYES: The Window to Long COVlD‹Subhead: Highlighting two key studies on ocular health and Long COVlD Non-Hospitalized Long COVlD Patients Exhibit Reduced Retinal Capillary Perfusion: A Prospective Cohort Study (Journal of Imaging, Feb 16, 2025)  Ocular Symptoms in Long COVlD: A Cross-Sectional Study (Clinical Ophthalmology, Oct 22, 2025)
Erin, suffering from Long COVlD eyes, made a selfie wearing a black Facemoon KN95 respirator with a matching black T-shirt, while sitting inside a car.
At MaskTogetherAmerica Long COVID Defense Series III, Delphine Crespo answered the following question raised by Sarah Cahill: “What does the Global Long COVID Declaration stand for?”
Wearing a light purple KF94 respirator, Leticia is reading her poetry chapbook, Offerings to a Tumbled Temple, at a poetry workshop with Gemini Ink, San Antonio’s Writing Arts Center. 
“Are Long COVID patients haunted by the Ondine’s Curse?”—Sharing an article: “How COVlD Quietly Rewires The Brain” By Jason Gale, published in The Journal of Advanced Practice Nursing. (Nursing Journals: American Society of Registered Nurses) https://www.asrn.org/journal-advanced-practice-nursing/3449-how-covid-quietly-rewires-the-brain.html Visual: an illustration of a brain 🧠 partially highlighted in green.
Melissa Mazur, wearing a black BNX N95 respirator, a beanie, a “Philadelphia Eagles” hoodie on South Broad Street in front of City Hall in Philly.
A heartfelt thank you note from Nina Storey to her volunteer colleagues and supporters of Strangely Optimistic.
Strangely Optimistic is a dramedy that shows a day in the life of Nina Storey who lives with Long COVlD. It is written and directed by Nina, coproduced and edited by our Julie Lam. Music by Ryan Franks and Gabrael Bey is one of the cinematographers. Nina, Gab and Julie were invited on Punch Up Pod on April 8th. And this is a PSA composed with clips from the podcast, highlighting the filmmakers’ mission to raise awareness about the multi-systemic condition that affects organs and organ systems.
Skye Tenorio (@skyetenorio), Assistant Director for our movie Strangely Optimistic, is wearing a black KN95 respirator.