Firestorm BooksI wanted to take a moment to address why Firestorm is one of the last businesses in #Asheville requiring masks, and be open about the ways that this impacts our co-op. 1/9
Our store has been a community-oriented resource for 14 years and we believe that “we keep us safe” includes the chronically ill, disabled, and immunocompromised communities who have been begging people to care by continuing to wear masks in public spaces. 2/9
We’ve seen all kinds of responses to our mask requirement over the past months – people have turned away, strangers have cursed at us, a few have made xenophobic remarks, and we’ve even been harassed with angry voicemails and emails! 3/9
But we're sticking to our guns despite the loss of some sales and the emotional toll of arguing with grumpy strangers, because doing what aligns with our values is what we’re about. 4/9
Thankfully the vast majority have supported our decisions and respected our boundaries. It turns out that putting on a mask for a few minutes is a pretty easy thing to do, and not everyone assigns ableist, conspiracy-driven meanings to a simple public health consideration. 5/9
Thank you to our customers who agree to this painless precaution. Of course, if wearing a mask is a genuine barrier, please let us know and we can provide curbside assistance! 6/9
Simply put: the pandemic is not over. It continues to be a mass disabling event with long COVID symptoms emerging in people who think they’ve recovered, healthcare workers burning out, and millions dying preventable deaths. 7/9
As a chronically ill worker in a public-facing job (who has a rare disease with no cure that was further inflamed by a latent viral reinfection after getting COVID), I like to think that putting on a mask for a few minutes is an uncomplicated request. 8/9
If you appreciate how our co-op has prioritized public health despite constant pressure to “move on,” please stop in for a book, pick up a free pack of KN95 masks from our front desk, and let us know that our community supports the precautions that help us all be safer! 9/9
AIF-Massachusetts@firestorm making an indoor place a "safe space" during a pandemic includes masking. This helps protect everyone. Thank you so much for staying firm on this.
neelofer@firestorm so grateful that y’all are doing this. Was already looking forward to visiting your shop next time I’m in Asheville but even more so now.
donkey herder, fowl friend@firestorm thank you. I’m on the wrong side of the continent to drop in, but I’ll place another order. Here’s to masking! Here’s to keeping us safe.
sal@firestorm Hey some of us here took advantage of Armbrust's November sale (today's the last day of it) to order a TON of duckbill N95s for less than 50 cents each so let us know if you want more at-cost (50 for $23.33.) (Sale link: https://bit.ly/3uaTknl)
RD@firestorm wish I could visit, super proud of what you're doing ✊
moving to @ni.hil.istI don't live in Asheville, but I appreciate y'all holding down a space so chronically ill booklovers browse without the fear of getting sick.
to modify something i tell my undergrads, "spread anarchy, not spores!"
@blkstarseed love this! And thank you for the encouragement 🖤❤️
@PublicHealthMediaNetwork@firestorm Thank you! 🙏🏽