WashMasks Heat Stress Prevention Drive
May 29–June 22, 2025
Lobby Rotunda
Throughout the run of Duel Reality, join WashMasks Mutual Aid and Seattle Rep's efforts in showing up in solidarity for Washington's farmworkers. As temperatures rise in Washington, so does the risk of heat stress exposure. Help us protect those who feed us via the Heat Stress Prevention Donation Drive, May 29–June 22.
What Can I Donate?
- Cooling towels
- Baseball hats
- Sun hats
About Heat Stress
What is heat stress?
Heat stress is when the body cannot get rid of excess heat leading to heat-related illness. Heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash, or heat stroke. Symptoms can be sweating to dizziness, cessation of sweating, and collapse. If untreated, heat-related illness can lead to heatstroke and become life-threatening. One can die from heat stress in under two hours.
How does it impact farmworkers?
Farmworkers die of heat-related illness 20 times greater than the entire U.S. civilian workforce. They face risk of heat stress in the fields, packing areas, and housing. Many migrant agricultural workers are at the mercy of their employers for housing. Some farmworker housing fails to have air conditioning, fans, or adequate cooling. This extends their exposure to heat stress.
About WashMasks
WashMasks Mutual Aid is a volunteer collective founded by artists and educators that works to provide PPE, culturally responsive food, art supplies, wildfire relief, and other mutual aid support to Washington farmworkers and their families. WashMasks centers their work around care, community collaboration, and creative joy and believe that farmworkers deserve safety, equity, and dignity—nothing less.
What is Mutual Aid?
Mutual aid is an act of solidarity among communities and neighbors. Mutual aid work happens when communities work collaboratively in addressing community needs.
Stay up to date with WashMasks by following them on Instagram and Facebook.