This COVID wave is pretty intense but there's some good news. Updated vaccines are now available in Asheville and should be fully covered by most insurance providers. No-cost boosters are also available for uninsured folks at participating clinics.

Updating your vaccination, if you are able, is an effective strategy for staying out of the hospital, but masking and testing continue to be important ways of mitigating spread. Firestorm has N95 and KN95 respirators, as well as rapid tests, available for free! If you aren't feeling well, please give us a call and we'll bring them out to your car. Our co-op never stopped requiring masks, and our new space was designed with community health in mind. We have a brand new HVAC system with medical grade filters and large rollup doors for fresh air. We also picked up a cool little CO2 monitor that helps us keep an eye on air quality!

While we still regularly field puzzled (and occasionally aggro) questions about why we're *still* requiring masks, we also hear from high-risk friends that Firestorm is one of the only places they feel safe visiting—and that means a lot to us! In ten years we hope to look back and feel proud of our commitment to accessibility and community care.