One of New Zealand's leading coronavirus experts is urging Auckland Black Lives Matter protesters to take care at a solidarity march on Monday, as the country edges to within touching distance of eradicating COVID-19.
The march, organised last week in the wake of the death of African-American man George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer, is expected to draw thousands of attendees.
A Facebook event promoting the protest has more than 2000 people marked as attending and several-thousand others interested. High-profile UFC fighter Israel Adesanya and world-renowned choreographer Paris Goebbel are among those attending.
But microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles is worried about the health risks brought on by the march, particularly with numbers anticipated to exceed the 100-person gathering limit set by the Government.
"A quick thread for people wanting to show their solidarity for what is happening in the USA right now by attending a gathering/march in New Zealand today," Dr Wiles posted on Twitter.
"Please remember that coming together in large numbers and talking loudly/shouting/singing are a perfect combination for allowing COVID-19 to spread.
"Do not go if you feel even slightly unwell. Remember COVID-19 symptoms can be very mild.
"Also, remember that people are infectious before they show any symptoms so please cover your mouth and nose with something, in case that's you. There are lots of online tutorials for making a cloth mask."
Dr Wiles says there are ways to show solidarity with the black community in the US without leaving your home. She suggested donating to Arms Down NZ, a coalition to end armed police patrols in New Zealand, or to bail funds for low-income individuals in cities across the US.
Arrangements were made for the march last week after footage showed white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pinning Floyd to the ground with a knee on his neck for nine minutes while he pleaded for air.
Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder, but Floyd's passing has sparked riots and demonstrations across the US and the globe.
Auckland protest organisers are urging more people to get involved to support New Zealand's own minorities by marching with them from Aotea Square to the US Consulate General on Customs St at 3:30pm on Monday.
