diff --git a/changelog.d/7120.misc b/changelog.d/7120.misc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..731f4dcb52e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/7120.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Clean up some LoggingContext code.
diff --git a/docs/log_contexts.md b/docs/log_contexts.md
index 5331e8c88b38..fe30ca27916b 100644
--- a/docs/log_contexts.md
+++ b/docs/log_contexts.md
@@ -29,14 +29,13 @@ from synapse.logging import context         # omitted from future snippets
 def handle_request(request_id):
     request_context = context.LoggingContext()
 
-    calling_context = context.LoggingContext.current_context()
-    context.LoggingContext.set_current_context(request_context)
+    calling_context = context.set_current_context(request_context)
     try:
         request_context.request = request_id
         do_request_handling()
         logger.debug("finished")
     finally:
-        context.LoggingContext.set_current_context(calling_context)
+        context.set_current_context(calling_context)
 
 def do_request_handling():
     logger.debug("phew")  # this will be logged against request_id
diff --git a/synapse/crypto/keyring.py b/synapse/crypto/keyring.py
index 983f0ead8cce..a9f4025bfe3a 100644
--- a/synapse/crypto/keyring.py
+++ b/synapse/crypto/keyring.py
@@ -43,8 +43,8 @@
     SynapseError,
 )
 from synapse.logging.context import (
-    LoggingContext,
     PreserveLoggingContext,
+    current_context,
     make_deferred_yieldable,
     preserve_fn,
     run_in_background,
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ def _start_key_lookups(self, verify_requests):
         """
 
         try:
-            ctx = LoggingContext.current_context()
+            ctx = current_context()
 
             # map from server name to a set of outstanding request ids
             server_to_request_ids = {}
diff --git a/synapse/federation/federation_base.py b/synapse/federation/federation_base.py
index b0b0eba41e15..4b115aac04f0 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/federation_base.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/federation_base.py
@@ -32,8 +32,8 @@
 from synapse.events.utils import prune_event
 from synapse.http.servlet import assert_params_in_dict
 from synapse.logging.context import (
-    LoggingContext,
     PreserveLoggingContext,
+    current_context,
     make_deferred_yieldable,
 )
 from synapse.types import JsonDict, get_domain_from_id
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ def _check_sigs_and_hashes(
         """
         deferreds = _check_sigs_on_pdus(self.keyring, room_version, pdus)
 
-        ctx = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        ctx = current_context()
 
         def callback(_, pdu: EventBase):
             with PreserveLoggingContext(ctx):
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/sync.py b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
index 669dbc8a487c..5746fdea1457 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.api.filtering import FilterCollection
 from synapse.events import EventBase
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import current_context
 from synapse.push.clientformat import format_push_rules_for_user
 from synapse.storage.roommember import MemberSummary
 from synapse.storage.state import StateFilter
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ async def _wait_for_sync_for_user(
         else:
             sync_type = "incremental_sync"
 
-        context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        context = current_context()
         if context:
             context.tag = sync_type
 
diff --git a/synapse/http/request_metrics.py b/synapse/http/request_metrics.py
index 58f9cc61c825..b58ae3d9db65 100644
--- a/synapse/http/request_metrics.py
+++ b/synapse/http/request_metrics.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
 from prometheus_client.core import Counter, Histogram
 
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import current_context
 from synapse.metrics import LaterGauge
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ def _get_in_flight_counts():
 class RequestMetrics(object):
     def start(self, time_sec, name, method):
         self.start = time_sec
-        self.start_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        self.start_context = current_context()
         self.name = name
         self.method = method
 
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ def stop(self, time_sec, response_code, sent_bytes):
         with _in_flight_requests_lock:
             _in_flight_requests.discard(self)
 
-        context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        context = current_context()
 
         tag = ""
         if context:
diff --git a/synapse/logging/_structured.py b/synapse/logging/_structured.py
index ffa7b20ca863..7372450b4531 100644
--- a/synapse/logging/_structured.py
+++ b/synapse/logging/_structured.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
     TerseJSONToConsoleLogObserver,
     TerseJSONToTCPLogObserver,
 )
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import current_context
 
 
 def stdlib_log_level_to_twisted(level: str) -> LogLevel:
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ def __call__(self, event: dict) -> None:
             ].startswith("Timing out client"):
                 return
 
-        context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        context = current_context()
 
         # Copy the context information to the log event.
         if context is not None:
diff --git a/synapse/logging/context.py b/synapse/logging/context.py
index 860b99a4c6d3..a8eafb1c7ce9 100644
--- a/synapse/logging/context.py
+++ b/synapse/logging/context.py
@@ -175,7 +175,54 @@ def __sub__(self, other: "ContextResourceUsage") -> "ContextResourceUsage":
         return res
 
 
-LoggingContextOrSentinel = Union["LoggingContext", "LoggingContext.Sentinel"]
+LoggingContextOrSentinel = Union["LoggingContext", "_Sentinel"]
+
+
+class _Sentinel(object):
+    """Sentinel to represent the root context"""
+
+    __slots__ = ["previous_context", "finished", "request", "scope", "tag"]
+
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        # Minimal set for compatibility with LoggingContext
+        self.previous_context = None
+        self.finished = False
+        self.request = None
+        self.scope = None
+        self.tag = None
+
+    def __str__(self):
+        return "sentinel"
+
+    def copy_to(self, record):
+        pass
+
+    def copy_to_twisted_log_entry(self, record):
+        record["request"] = None
+        record["scope"] = None
+
+    def start(self):
+        pass
+
+    def stop(self):
+        pass
+
+    def add_database_transaction(self, duration_sec):
+        pass
+
+    def add_database_scheduled(self, sched_sec):
+        pass
+
+    def record_event_fetch(self, event_count):
+        pass
+
+    def __nonzero__(self):
+        return False
+
+    __bool__ = __nonzero__  # python3
+
+
+SENTINEL_CONTEXT = _Sentinel()
 
 
 class LoggingContext(object):
@@ -199,76 +246,33 @@ class LoggingContext(object):
         "_resource_usage",
         "usage_start",
         "main_thread",
-        "alive",
+        "finished",
         "request",
         "tag",
         "scope",
     ]
 
-    thread_local = threading.local()
-
-    class Sentinel(object):
-        """Sentinel to represent the root context"""
-
-        __slots__ = ["previous_context", "alive", "request", "scope", "tag"]
-
-        def __init__(self) -> None:
-            # Minimal set for compatibility with LoggingContext
-            self.previous_context = None
-            self.alive = None
-            self.request = None
-            self.scope = None
-            self.tag = None
-
-        def __str__(self):
-            return "sentinel"
-
-        def copy_to(self, record):
-            pass
-
-        def copy_to_twisted_log_entry(self, record):
-            record["request"] = None
-            record["scope"] = None
-
-        def start(self):
-            pass
-
-        def stop(self):
-            pass
-
-        def add_database_transaction(self, duration_sec):
-            pass
-
-        def add_database_scheduled(self, sched_sec):
-            pass
-
-        def record_event_fetch(self, event_count):
-            pass
-
-        def __nonzero__(self):
-            return False
-
-        __bool__ = __nonzero__  # python3
-
-    sentinel = Sentinel()
-
     def __init__(self, name=None, parent_context=None, request=None) -> None:
-        self.previous_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        self.previous_context = current_context()
         self.name = name
 
         # track the resources used by this context so far
         self._resource_usage = ContextResourceUsage()
 
-        # If alive has the thread resource usage when the logcontext last
-        # became active.
+        # The thread resource usage when the logcontext became active. None
+        # if the context is not currently active.
         self.usage_start = None
 
         self.main_thread = get_thread_id()
         self.request = None
         self.tag = ""
-        self.alive = True
         self.scope = None  # type: Optional[_LogContextScope]
 
+        # keep track of whether we have hit the __exit__ block for this context
+        # (suggesting that the the thing that created the context thinks it should
+        # be finished, and that re-activating it would suggest an error).
+        self.finished = False
+
         self.parent_context = parent_context
 
         if self.parent_context is not None:
@@ -283,44 +287,15 @@ def __str__(self) -> str:
             return str(self.request)
         return "%s@%x" % (self.name, id(self))
 
-    @classmethod
-    def current_context(cls) -> LoggingContextOrSentinel:
-        """Get the current logging context from thread local storage
-
-        Returns:
-            LoggingContext: the current logging context
-        """
-        return getattr(cls.thread_local, "current_context", cls.sentinel)
-
-    @classmethod
-    def set_current_context(
-        cls, context: LoggingContextOrSentinel
-    ) -> LoggingContextOrSentinel:
-        """Set the current logging context in thread local storage
-        Args:
-            context(LoggingContext): The context to activate.
-        Returns:
-            The context that was previously active
-        """
-        current = cls.current_context()
-
-        if current is not context:
-            current.stop()
-            cls.thread_local.current_context = context
-            context.start()
-        return current
-
     def __enter__(self) -> "LoggingContext":
         """Enters this logging context into thread local storage"""
-        old_context = self.set_current_context(self)
+        old_context = set_current_context(self)
         if self.previous_context != old_context:
             logger.warning(
                 "Expected previous context %r, found %r",
                 self.previous_context,
                 old_context,
             )
-        self.alive = True
-
         return self
 
     def __exit__(self, type, value, traceback) -> None:
@@ -329,24 +304,19 @@ def __exit__(self, type, value, traceback) -> None:
         Returns:
             None to avoid suppressing any exceptions that were thrown.
         """
-        current = self.set_current_context(self.previous_context)
+        current = set_current_context(self.previous_context)
         if current is not self:
-            if current is self.sentinel:
+            if current is SENTINEL_CONTEXT:
                 logger.warning("Expected logging context %s was lost", self)
             else:
                 logger.warning(
                     "Expected logging context %s but found %s", self, current
                 )
-        self.alive = False
-
-        # if we have a parent, pass our CPU usage stats on
-        if self.parent_context is not None and hasattr(
-            self.parent_context, "_resource_usage"
-        ):
-            self.parent_context._resource_usage += self._resource_usage
 
-            # reset them in case we get entered again
-            self._resource_usage.reset()
+        # the fact that we are here suggests that the caller thinks that everything
+        # is done and dusted for this logcontext, and further activity will not get
+        # recorded against the correct metrics.
+        self.finished = True
 
     def copy_to(self, record) -> None:
         """Copy logging fields from this context to a log record or
@@ -371,9 +341,14 @@ def start(self) -> None:
             logger.warning("Started logcontext %s on different thread", self)
             return
 
+        if self.finished:
+            logger.warning("Re-starting finished log context %s", self)
+
         # If we haven't already started record the thread resource usage so
         # far
-        if not self.usage_start:
+        if self.usage_start:
+            logger.warning("Re-starting already-active log context %s", self)
+        else:
             self.usage_start = get_thread_resource_usage()
 
     def stop(self) -> None:
@@ -396,6 +371,15 @@ def stop(self) -> None:
 
         self.usage_start = None
 
+        # if we have a parent, pass our CPU usage stats on
+        if self.parent_context is not None and hasattr(
+            self.parent_context, "_resource_usage"
+        ):
+            self.parent_context._resource_usage += self._resource_usage
+
+            # reset them in case we get entered again
+            self._resource_usage.reset()
+
     def get_resource_usage(self) -> ContextResourceUsage:
         """Get resources used by this logcontext so far.
 
@@ -409,7 +393,7 @@ def get_resource_usage(self) -> ContextResourceUsage:
         # If we are on the correct thread and we're currently running then we
         # can include resource usage so far.
         is_main_thread = get_thread_id() == self.main_thread
-        if self.alive and self.usage_start and is_main_thread:
+        if self.usage_start and is_main_thread:
             utime_delta, stime_delta = self._get_cputime()
             res.ru_utime += utime_delta
             res.ru_stime += stime_delta
@@ -492,7 +476,7 @@ def filter(self, record) -> Literal[True]:
         Returns:
             True to include the record in the log output.
         """
-        context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        context = current_context()
         for key, value in self.defaults.items():
             setattr(record, key, value)
 
@@ -512,27 +496,24 @@ class PreserveLoggingContext(object):
 
     __slots__ = ["current_context", "new_context", "has_parent"]
 
-    def __init__(self, new_context: Optional[LoggingContextOrSentinel] = None) -> None:
-        if new_context is None:
-            self.new_context = LoggingContext.sentinel  # type: LoggingContextOrSentinel
-        else:
-            self.new_context = new_context
+    def __init__(
+        self, new_context: LoggingContextOrSentinel = SENTINEL_CONTEXT
+    ) -> None:
+        self.new_context = new_context
 
     def __enter__(self) -> None:
         """Captures the current logging context"""
-        self.current_context = LoggingContext.set_current_context(self.new_context)
+        self.current_context = set_current_context(self.new_context)
 
         if self.current_context:
             self.has_parent = self.current_context.previous_context is not None
-            if not self.current_context.alive:
-                logger.debug("Entering dead context: %s", self.current_context)
 
     def __exit__(self, type, value, traceback) -> None:
         """Restores the current logging context"""
-        context = LoggingContext.set_current_context(self.current_context)
+        context = set_current_context(self.current_context)
 
         if context != self.new_context:
-            if context is LoggingContext.sentinel:
+            if not context:
                 logger.warning("Expected logging context %s was lost", self.new_context)
             else:
                 logger.warning(
@@ -541,9 +522,30 @@ def __exit__(self, type, value, traceback) -> None:
                     context,
                 )
 
-        if self.current_context is not LoggingContext.sentinel:
-            if not self.current_context.alive:
-                logger.debug("Restoring dead context: %s", self.current_context)
+
+_thread_local = threading.local()
+_thread_local.current_context = SENTINEL_CONTEXT
+
+
+def current_context() -> LoggingContextOrSentinel:
+    """Get the current logging context from thread local storage"""
+    return getattr(_thread_local, "current_context", SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
+
+
+def set_current_context(context: LoggingContextOrSentinel) -> LoggingContextOrSentinel:
+    """Set the current logging context in thread local storage
+    Args:
+        context(LoggingContext): The context to activate.
+    Returns:
+        The context that was previously active
+    """
+    current = current_context()
+
+    if current is not context:
+        current.stop()
+        _thread_local.current_context = context
+        context.start()
+    return current
 
 
 def nested_logging_context(
@@ -572,7 +574,7 @@ def nested_logging_context(
     if parent_context is not None:
         context = parent_context  # type: LoggingContextOrSentinel
     else:
-        context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        context = current_context()
     return LoggingContext(
         parent_context=context, request=str(context.request) + "-" + suffix
     )
@@ -604,7 +606,7 @@ def run_in_background(f, *args, **kwargs):
     CRITICAL error about an unhandled error will be logged without much
     indication about where it came from.
     """
-    current = LoggingContext.current_context()
+    current = current_context()
     try:
         res = f(*args, **kwargs)
     except:  # noqa: E722
@@ -625,7 +627,7 @@ def run_in_background(f, *args, **kwargs):
 
     # The function may have reset the context before returning, so
     # we need to restore it now.
-    ctx = LoggingContext.set_current_context(current)
+    ctx = set_current_context(current)
 
     # The original context will be restored when the deferred
     # completes, but there is nothing waiting for it, so it will
@@ -674,7 +676,7 @@ def make_deferred_yieldable(deferred):
 
     # ok, we can't be sure that a yield won't block, so let's reset the
     # logcontext, and add a callback to the deferred to restore it.
-    prev_context = LoggingContext.set_current_context(LoggingContext.sentinel)
+    prev_context = set_current_context(SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
     deferred.addBoth(_set_context_cb, prev_context)
     return deferred
 
@@ -684,7 +686,7 @@ def make_deferred_yieldable(deferred):
 
 def _set_context_cb(result: ResultT, context: LoggingContext) -> ResultT:
     """A callback function which just sets the logging context"""
-    LoggingContext.set_current_context(context)
+    set_current_context(context)
     return result
 
 
@@ -752,7 +754,7 @@ def defer_to_threadpool(reactor, threadpool, f, *args, **kwargs):
         Deferred: A Deferred which fires a callback with the result of `f`, or an
             errback if `f` throws an exception.
     """
-    logcontext = LoggingContext.current_context()
+    logcontext = current_context()
 
     def g():
         with LoggingContext(parent_context=logcontext):
diff --git a/synapse/logging/scopecontextmanager.py b/synapse/logging/scopecontextmanager.py
index 4eed4f233822..dc3ab00cbb8a 100644
--- a/synapse/logging/scopecontextmanager.py
+++ b/synapse/logging/scopecontextmanager.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
 import twisted
 
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext, nested_logging_context
+from synapse.logging.context import current_context, nested_logging_context
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -49,11 +49,8 @@ def active(self):
             (Scope) : the Scope that is active, or None if not
             available.
         """
-        ctx = LoggingContext.current_context()
-        if ctx is LoggingContext.sentinel:
-            return None
-        else:
-            return ctx.scope
+        ctx = current_context()
+        return ctx.scope
 
     def activate(self, span, finish_on_close):
         """
@@ -70,9 +67,9 @@ def activate(self, span, finish_on_close):
         """
 
         enter_logcontext = False
-        ctx = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        ctx = current_context()
 
-        if ctx is LoggingContext.sentinel:
+        if not ctx:
             # We don't want this scope to affect.
             logger.error("Tried to activate scope outside of loggingcontext")
             return Scope(None, span)
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py
index ca237c6f129e..3013f49d32c5 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 )
 from synapse.events import make_event_from_dict
 from synapse.events.utils import prune_event
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext, PreserveLoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import PreserveLoggingContext, current_context
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore, make_in_list_sql_clause
 from synapse.storage.database import Database
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ def _get_events_from_cache_or_db(self, event_ids, allow_rejected=False):
         missing_events_ids = [e for e in event_ids if e not in event_entry_map]
 
         if missing_events_ids:
-            log_ctx = LoggingContext.current_context()
+            log_ctx = current_context()
             log_ctx.record_event_fetch(len(missing_events_ids))
 
             # Note that _get_events_from_db is also responsible for turning db rows
diff --git a/synapse/storage/database.py b/synapse/storage/database.py
index e61595336c86..715c0346dd51 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/database.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/database.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
 from synapse.logging.context import (
     LoggingContext,
     LoggingContextOrSentinel,
+    current_context,
     make_deferred_yieldable,
 )
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
@@ -483,7 +484,7 @@ def new_transaction(
             end = monotonic_time()
             duration = end - start
 
-            LoggingContext.current_context().add_database_transaction(duration)
+            current_context().add_database_transaction(duration)
 
             transaction_logger.debug("[TXN END] {%s} %f sec", name, duration)
 
@@ -510,7 +511,7 @@ def runInteraction(self, desc: str, func: Callable, *args: Any, **kwargs: Any):
         after_callbacks = []  # type: List[_CallbackListEntry]
         exception_callbacks = []  # type: List[_CallbackListEntry]
 
-        if LoggingContext.current_context() == LoggingContext.sentinel:
+        if not current_context():
             logger.warning("Starting db txn '%s' from sentinel context", desc)
 
         try:
@@ -547,10 +548,8 @@ def runWithConnection(self, func: Callable, *args: Any, **kwargs: Any):
         Returns:
             Deferred: The result of func
         """
-        parent_context = (
-            LoggingContext.current_context()
-        )  # type: Optional[LoggingContextOrSentinel]
-        if parent_context == LoggingContext.sentinel:
+        parent_context = current_context()  # type: Optional[LoggingContextOrSentinel]
+        if not parent_context:
             logger.warning(
                 "Starting db connection from sentinel context: metrics will be lost"
             )
diff --git a/synapse/util/metrics.py b/synapse/util/metrics.py
index 7b1845546969..ec61e1442339 100644
--- a/synapse/util/metrics.py
+++ b/synapse/util/metrics.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext, current_context
 from synapse.metrics import InFlightGauge
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def __enter__(self):
             raise RuntimeError("Measure() objects cannot be re-used")
 
         self.start = self.clock.time()
-        parent_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        parent_context = current_context()
         self._logging_context = LoggingContext(
             "Measure[%s]" % (self.name,), parent_context
         )
diff --git a/synapse/util/patch_inline_callbacks.py b/synapse/util/patch_inline_callbacks.py
index 3925927f9fe2..fdff1957716f 100644
--- a/synapse/util/patch_inline_callbacks.py
+++ b/synapse/util/patch_inline_callbacks.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ def do_patch():
     Patch defer.inlineCallbacks so that it checks the state of the logcontext on exit
     """
 
-    from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+    from synapse.logging.context import current_context
 
     global _already_patched
 
@@ -43,35 +43,35 @@ def do_patch():
     def new_inline_callbacks(f):
         @functools.wraps(f)
         def wrapped(*args, **kwargs):
-            start_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+            start_context = current_context()
             changes = []  # type: List[str]
             orig = orig_inline_callbacks(_check_yield_points(f, changes))
 
             try:
                 res = orig(*args, **kwargs)
             except Exception:
-                if LoggingContext.current_context() != start_context:
+                if current_context() != start_context:
                     for err in changes:
                         print(err, file=sys.stderr)
 
                     err = "%s changed context from %s to %s on exception" % (
                         f,
                         start_context,
-                        LoggingContext.current_context(),
+                        current_context(),
                     )
                     print(err, file=sys.stderr)
                     raise Exception(err)
                 raise
 
             if not isinstance(res, Deferred) or res.called:
-                if LoggingContext.current_context() != start_context:
+                if current_context() != start_context:
                     for err in changes:
                         print(err, file=sys.stderr)
 
                     err = "Completed %s changed context from %s to %s" % (
                         f,
                         start_context,
-                        LoggingContext.current_context(),
+                        current_context(),
                     )
                     # print the error to stderr because otherwise all we
                     # see in travis-ci is the 500 error
@@ -79,23 +79,23 @@ def wrapped(*args, **kwargs):
                     raise Exception(err)
                 return res
 
-            if LoggingContext.current_context() != LoggingContext.sentinel:
+            if current_context():
                 err = (
                     "%s returned incomplete deferred in non-sentinel context "
                     "%s (start was %s)"
-                ) % (f, LoggingContext.current_context(), start_context)
+                ) % (f, current_context(), start_context)
                 print(err, file=sys.stderr)
                 raise Exception(err)
 
             def check_ctx(r):
-                if LoggingContext.current_context() != start_context:
+                if current_context() != start_context:
                     for err in changes:
                         print(err, file=sys.stderr)
                     err = "%s completion of %s changed context from %s to %s" % (
                         "Failure" if isinstance(r, Failure) else "Success",
                         f,
                         start_context,
-                        LoggingContext.current_context(),
+                        current_context(),
                     )
                     print(err, file=sys.stderr)
                     raise Exception(err)
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ def _check_yield_points(f: Callable, changes: List[str]):
         function
     """
 
-    from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+    from synapse.logging.context import current_context
 
     @functools.wraps(f)
     def check_yield_points_inner(*args, **kwargs):
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ def check_yield_points_inner(*args, **kwargs):
         last_yield_line_no = gen.gi_frame.f_lineno
         result = None  # type: Any
         while True:
-            expected_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+            expected_context = current_context()
 
             try:
                 isFailure = isinstance(result, Failure)
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ def check_yield_points_inner(*args, **kwargs):
                 else:
                     d = gen.send(result)
             except (StopIteration, defer._DefGen_Return) as e:
-                if LoggingContext.current_context() != expected_context:
+                if current_context() != expected_context:
                     # This happens when the context is lost sometime *after* the
                     # final yield and returning. E.g. we forgot to yield on a
                     # function that returns a deferred.
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ def check_yield_points_inner(*args, **kwargs):
                         % (
                             f.__qualname__,
                             expected_context,
-                            LoggingContext.current_context(),
+                            current_context(),
                             f.__code__.co_filename,
                             last_yield_line_no,
                         )
@@ -173,13 +173,13 @@ def check_yield_points_inner(*args, **kwargs):
                 # This happens if we yield on a deferred that doesn't follow
                 # the log context rules without wrapping in a `make_deferred_yieldable`.
                 # We raise here as this should never happen.
-                if LoggingContext.current_context() is not LoggingContext.sentinel:
+                if current_context():
                     err = (
                         "%s yielded with context %s rather than sentinel,"
                         " yielded on line %d in %s"
                         % (
                             frame.f_code.co_name,
-                            LoggingContext.current_context(),
+                            current_context(),
                             frame.f_lineno,
                             frame.f_code.co_filename,
                         )
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ def check_yield_points_inner(*args, **kwargs):
             except Exception as e:
                 result = Failure(e)
 
-            if LoggingContext.current_context() != expected_context:
+            if current_context() != expected_context:
 
                 # This happens because the context is lost sometime *after* the
                 # previous yield and *after* the current yield. E.g. the
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ def check_yield_points_inner(*args, **kwargs):
                     % (
                         frame.f_code.co_name,
                         expected_context,
-                        LoggingContext.current_context(),
+                        current_context(),
                         last_yield_line_no,
                         frame.f_lineno,
                         frame.f_code.co_filename,
diff --git a/tests/crypto/test_keyring.py b/tests/crypto/test_keyring.py
index 34d5895f1846..70c8e7230343 100644
--- a/tests/crypto/test_keyring.py
+++ b/tests/crypto/test_keyring.py
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 from synapse.logging.context import (
     LoggingContext,
     PreserveLoggingContext,
+    current_context,
     make_deferred_yieldable,
 )
 from synapse.storage.keys import FetchKeyResult
@@ -83,9 +84,7 @@ def make_homeserver(self, reactor, clock):
         )
 
     def check_context(self, _, expected):
-        self.assertEquals(
-            getattr(LoggingContext.current_context(), "request", None), expected
-        )
+        self.assertEquals(getattr(current_context(), "request", None), expected)
 
     def test_verify_json_objects_for_server_awaits_previous_requests(self):
         key1 = signedjson.key.generate_signing_key(1)
@@ -105,7 +104,7 @@ def test_verify_json_objects_for_server_awaits_previous_requests(self):
 
         @defer.inlineCallbacks
         def get_perspectives(**kwargs):
-            self.assertEquals(LoggingContext.current_context().request, "11")
+            self.assertEquals(current_context().request, "11")
             with PreserveLoggingContext():
                 yield persp_deferred
             return persp_resp
diff --git a/tests/http/federation/test_matrix_federation_agent.py b/tests/http/federation/test_matrix_federation_agent.py
index fdc1d918ff71..562397cdda5e 100644
--- a/tests/http/federation/test_matrix_federation_agent.py
+++ b/tests/http/federation/test_matrix_federation_agent.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
     WellKnownResolver,
     _cache_period_from_headers,
 )
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import SENTINEL_CONTEXT, LoggingContext, current_context
 from synapse.util.caches.ttlcache import TTLCache
 
 from tests import unittest
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ def _make_get_request(self, uri):
             self.assertNoResult(fetch_d)
 
             # should have reset logcontext to the sentinel
-            _check_logcontext(LoggingContext.sentinel)
+            _check_logcontext(SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
 
             try:
                 fetch_res = yield fetch_d
@@ -1197,7 +1197,7 @@ def test_expires(self):
 
 
 def _check_logcontext(context):
-    current = LoggingContext.current_context()
+    current = current_context()
     if current is not context:
         raise AssertionError("Expected logcontext %s but was %s" % (context, current))
 
diff --git a/tests/http/federation/test_srv_resolver.py b/tests/http/federation/test_srv_resolver.py
index df034ab2378d..babc2016437b 100644
--- a/tests/http/federation/test_srv_resolver.py
+++ b/tests/http/federation/test_srv_resolver.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 from twisted.names import dns, error
 
 from synapse.http.federation.srv_resolver import SrvResolver
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import SENTINEL_CONTEXT, LoggingContext, current_context
 
 from tests import unittest
 from tests.utils import MockClock
@@ -54,12 +54,12 @@ def do_lookup():
                 self.assertNoResult(resolve_d)
 
                 # should have reset to the sentinel context
-                self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), LoggingContext.sentinel)
+                self.assertIs(current_context(), SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
 
                 result = yield resolve_d
 
                 # should have restored our context
-                self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), ctx)
+                self.assertIs(current_context(), ctx)
 
                 return result
 
diff --git a/tests/http/test_fedclient.py b/tests/http/test_fedclient.py
index 2b01f40a428e..fff4f0cbf419 100644
--- a/tests/http/test_fedclient.py
+++ b/tests/http/test_fedclient.py
@@ -29,14 +29,14 @@
     MatrixFederationHttpClient,
     MatrixFederationRequest,
 )
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import SENTINEL_CONTEXT, LoggingContext, current_context
 
 from tests.server import FakeTransport
 from tests.unittest import HomeserverTestCase
 
 
 def check_logcontext(context):
-    current = LoggingContext.current_context()
+    current = current_context()
     if current is not context:
         raise AssertionError("Expected logcontext %s but was %s" % (context, current))
 
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ def do_request():
                 self.assertNoResult(fetch_d)
 
                 # should have reset logcontext to the sentinel
-                check_logcontext(LoggingContext.sentinel)
+                check_logcontext(SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
 
                 try:
                     fetch_res = yield fetch_d
diff --git a/tests/rest/client/test_transactions.py b/tests/rest/client/test_transactions.py
index a3d7e3c0466f..171632e195e2 100644
--- a/tests/rest/client/test_transactions.py
+++ b/tests/rest/client/test_transactions.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 from twisted.internet import defer, reactor
 
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import SENTINEL_CONTEXT, LoggingContext, current_context
 from synapse.rest.client.transactions import CLEANUP_PERIOD_MS, HttpTransactionCache
 from synapse.util import Clock
 
@@ -52,14 +52,14 @@ def cb():
         def test():
             with LoggingContext("c") as c1:
                 res = yield self.cache.fetch_or_execute(self.mock_key, cb)
-                self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), c1)
+                self.assertIs(current_context(), c1)
                 self.assertEqual(res, "yay")
 
         # run the test twice in parallel
         d = defer.gatherResults([test(), test()])
-        self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), LoggingContext.sentinel)
+        self.assertIs(current_context(), SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
         yield d
-        self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), LoggingContext.sentinel)
+        self.assertIs(current_context(), SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_does_not_cache_exceptions(self):
@@ -81,11 +81,11 @@ def cb():
                 yield self.cache.fetch_or_execute(self.mock_key, cb)
             except Exception as e:
                 self.assertEqual(e.args[0], "boo")
-            self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), test_context)
+            self.assertIs(current_context(), test_context)
 
             res = yield self.cache.fetch_or_execute(self.mock_key, cb)
             self.assertEqual(res, self.mock_http_response)
-            self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), test_context)
+            self.assertIs(current_context(), test_context)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_does_not_cache_failures(self):
@@ -107,11 +107,11 @@ def cb():
                 yield self.cache.fetch_or_execute(self.mock_key, cb)
             except Exception as e:
                 self.assertEqual(e.args[0], "boo")
-            self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), test_context)
+            self.assertIs(current_context(), test_context)
 
             res = yield self.cache.fetch_or_execute(self.mock_key, cb)
             self.assertEqual(res, self.mock_http_response)
-            self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), test_context)
+            self.assertIs(current_context(), test_context)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_cleans_up(self):
diff --git a/tests/unittest.py b/tests/unittest.py
index 8816a4d152ca..439174dbfc5f 100644
--- a/tests/unittest.py
+++ b/tests/unittest.py
@@ -38,7 +38,11 @@
 from synapse.federation.transport import server as federation_server
 from synapse.http.server import JsonResource
 from synapse.http.site import SynapseRequest, SynapseSite
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import (
+    SENTINEL_CONTEXT,
+    current_context,
+    set_current_context,
+)
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.types import Requester, UserID, create_requester
 from synapse.util.ratelimitutils import FederationRateLimiter
@@ -97,10 +101,10 @@ def __init__(self, methodName, *args, **kwargs):
         def setUp(orig):
             # if we're not starting in the sentinel logcontext, then to be honest
             # all future bets are off.
-            if LoggingContext.current_context() is not LoggingContext.sentinel:
+            if current_context():
                 self.fail(
                     "Test starting with non-sentinel logging context %s"
-                    % (LoggingContext.current_context(),)
+                    % (current_context(),)
                 )
 
             old_level = logging.getLogger().level
@@ -122,7 +126,7 @@ def tearDown(orig):
             # force a GC to workaround problems with deferreds leaking logcontexts when
             # they are GCed (see the logcontext docs)
             gc.collect()
-            LoggingContext.set_current_context(LoggingContext.sentinel)
+            set_current_context(SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
 
             return ret
 
diff --git a/tests/util/caches/test_descriptors.py b/tests/util/caches/test_descriptors.py
index 39e360fe2400..4d2b9e0d645e 100644
--- a/tests/util/caches/test_descriptors.py
+++ b/tests/util/caches/test_descriptors.py
@@ -22,8 +22,10 @@
 
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
 from synapse.logging.context import (
+    SENTINEL_CONTEXT,
     LoggingContext,
     PreserveLoggingContext,
+    current_context,
     make_deferred_yieldable,
 )
 from synapse.util.caches import descriptors
@@ -194,7 +196,7 @@ def do_lookup():
             with LoggingContext() as c1:
                 c1.name = "c1"
                 r = yield obj.fn(1)
-                self.assertEqual(LoggingContext.current_context(), c1)
+                self.assertEqual(current_context(), c1)
             return r
 
         def check_result(r):
@@ -204,12 +206,12 @@ def check_result(r):
 
         # set off a deferred which will do a cache lookup
         d1 = do_lookup()
-        self.assertEqual(LoggingContext.current_context(), LoggingContext.sentinel)
+        self.assertEqual(current_context(), SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
         d1.addCallback(check_result)
 
         # and another
         d2 = do_lookup()
-        self.assertEqual(LoggingContext.current_context(), LoggingContext.sentinel)
+        self.assertEqual(current_context(), SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
         d2.addCallback(check_result)
 
         # let the lookup complete
@@ -239,14 +241,14 @@ def do_lookup():
                 try:
                     d = obj.fn(1)
                     self.assertEqual(
-                        LoggingContext.current_context(), LoggingContext.sentinel
+                        current_context(), SENTINEL_CONTEXT,
                     )
                     yield d
                     self.fail("No exception thrown")
                 except SynapseError:
                     pass
 
-                self.assertEqual(LoggingContext.current_context(), c1)
+                self.assertEqual(current_context(), c1)
 
             # the cache should now be empty
             self.assertEqual(len(obj.fn.cache.cache), 0)
@@ -255,7 +257,7 @@ def do_lookup():
 
         # set off a deferred which will do a cache lookup
         d1 = do_lookup()
-        self.assertEqual(LoggingContext.current_context(), LoggingContext.sentinel)
+        self.assertEqual(current_context(), SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
 
         return d1
 
@@ -366,10 +368,10 @@ def fn(self, arg1, arg2):
 
             @descriptors.cachedList("fn", "args1", inlineCallbacks=True)
             def list_fn(self, args1, arg2):
-                assert LoggingContext.current_context().request == "c1"
+                assert current_context().request == "c1"
                 # we want this to behave like an asynchronous function
                 yield run_on_reactor()
-                assert LoggingContext.current_context().request == "c1"
+                assert current_context().request == "c1"
                 return self.mock(args1, arg2)
 
         with LoggingContext() as c1:
@@ -377,9 +379,9 @@ def list_fn(self, args1, arg2):
             obj = Cls()
             obj.mock.return_value = {10: "fish", 20: "chips"}
             d1 = obj.list_fn([10, 20], 2)
-            self.assertEqual(LoggingContext.current_context(), LoggingContext.sentinel)
+            self.assertEqual(current_context(), SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
             r = yield d1
-            self.assertEqual(LoggingContext.current_context(), c1)
+            self.assertEqual(current_context(), c1)
             obj.mock.assert_called_once_with([10, 20], 2)
             self.assertEqual(r, {10: "fish", 20: "chips"})
             obj.mock.reset_mock()
diff --git a/tests/util/test_async_utils.py b/tests/util/test_async_utils.py
index f60918069ac6..17fd86d02de7 100644
--- a/tests/util/test_async_utils.py
+++ b/tests/util/test_async_utils.py
@@ -16,7 +16,12 @@
 from twisted.internet.defer import CancelledError, Deferred
 from twisted.internet.task import Clock
 
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext, PreserveLoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import (
+    SENTINEL_CONTEXT,
+    LoggingContext,
+    PreserveLoggingContext,
+    current_context,
+)
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import timeout_deferred
 
 from tests.unittest import TestCase
@@ -79,10 +84,10 @@ def blocking():
             # the errbacks should be run in the test logcontext
             def errback(res, deferred_name):
                 self.assertIs(
-                    LoggingContext.current_context(),
+                    current_context(),
                     context_one,
                     "errback %s run in unexpected logcontext %s"
-                    % (deferred_name, LoggingContext.current_context()),
+                    % (deferred_name, current_context()),
                 )
                 return res
 
@@ -90,7 +95,7 @@ def errback(res, deferred_name):
             original_deferred.addErrback(errback, "orig")
             timing_out_d = timeout_deferred(original_deferred, 1.0, self.clock)
             self.assertNoResult(timing_out_d)
-            self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), LoggingContext.sentinel)
+            self.assertIs(current_context(), SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
             timing_out_d.addErrback(errback, "timingout")
 
             self.clock.pump((1.0,))
@@ -99,4 +104,4 @@ def errback(res, deferred_name):
                 blocking_was_cancelled[0], "non-completing deferred was not cancelled"
             )
             self.failureResultOf(timing_out_d, defer.TimeoutError)
-            self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), context_one)
+            self.assertIs(current_context(), context_one)
diff --git a/tests/util/test_linearizer.py b/tests/util/test_linearizer.py
index 0ec8ef90ce8b..852ef2318544 100644
--- a/tests/util/test_linearizer.py
+++ b/tests/util/test_linearizer.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 from twisted.internet import defer, reactor
 from twisted.internet.defer import CancelledError
 
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext, current_context
 from synapse.util import Clock
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import Linearizer
 
@@ -54,11 +54,11 @@ def test_lots_of_queued_things(self):
         def func(i, sleep=False):
             with LoggingContext("func(%s)" % i) as lc:
                 with (yield linearizer.queue("")):
-                    self.assertEqual(LoggingContext.current_context(), lc)
+                    self.assertEqual(current_context(), lc)
                     if sleep:
                         yield Clock(reactor).sleep(0)
 
-                self.assertEqual(LoggingContext.current_context(), lc)
+                self.assertEqual(current_context(), lc)
 
         func(0, sleep=True)
         for i in range(1, 100):
diff --git a/tests/util/test_logcontext.py b/tests/util/test_logcontext.py
index 281b32c4b893..95301c013cba 100644
--- a/tests/util/test_logcontext.py
+++ b/tests/util/test_logcontext.py
@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@
 from twisted.internet import defer, reactor
 
 from synapse.logging.context import (
+    SENTINEL_CONTEXT,
     LoggingContext,
     PreserveLoggingContext,
+    current_context,
     make_deferred_yieldable,
     nested_logging_context,
     run_in_background,
@@ -15,7 +17,7 @@
 
 class LoggingContextTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
     def _check_test_key(self, value):
-        self.assertEquals(LoggingContext.current_context().request, value)
+        self.assertEquals(current_context().request, value)
 
     def test_with_context(self):
         with LoggingContext() as context_one:
@@ -41,7 +43,7 @@ def competing_callback():
             self._check_test_key("one")
 
     def _test_run_in_background(self, function):
-        sentinel_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        sentinel_context = current_context()
 
         callback_completed = [False]
 
@@ -71,7 +73,7 @@ def check_logcontext():
             # make sure that the context was reset before it got thrown back
             # into the reactor
             try:
-                self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), sentinel_context)
+                self.assertIs(current_context(), sentinel_context)
                 d2.callback(None)
             except BaseException:
                 d2.errback(twisted.python.failure.Failure())
@@ -108,7 +110,7 @@ def test_run_in_background_with_coroutine(self):
         async def testfunc():
             self._check_test_key("one")
             d = Clock(reactor).sleep(0)
-            self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), LoggingContext.sentinel)
+            self.assertIs(current_context(), SENTINEL_CONTEXT)
             await d
             self._check_test_key("one")
 
@@ -129,14 +131,14 @@ def blocking_function():
             reactor.callLater(0, d.callback, None)
             return d
 
-        sentinel_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        sentinel_context = current_context()
 
         with LoggingContext() as context_one:
             context_one.request = "one"
 
             d1 = make_deferred_yieldable(blocking_function())
             # make sure that the context was reset by make_deferred_yieldable
-            self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), sentinel_context)
+            self.assertIs(current_context(), sentinel_context)
 
             yield d1
 
@@ -145,14 +147,14 @@ def blocking_function():
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_make_deferred_yieldable_with_chained_deferreds(self):
-        sentinel_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        sentinel_context = current_context()
 
         with LoggingContext() as context_one:
             context_one.request = "one"
 
             d1 = make_deferred_yieldable(_chained_deferred_function())
             # make sure that the context was reset by make_deferred_yieldable
-            self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), sentinel_context)
+            self.assertIs(current_context(), sentinel_context)
 
             yield d1
 
@@ -189,14 +191,14 @@ async def blocking_function():
             reactor.callLater(0, d.callback, None)
             await d
 
-        sentinel_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        sentinel_context = current_context()
 
         with LoggingContext() as context_one:
             context_one.request = "one"
 
             d1 = make_deferred_yieldable(blocking_function())
             # make sure that the context was reset by make_deferred_yieldable
-            self.assertIs(LoggingContext.current_context(), sentinel_context)
+            self.assertIs(current_context(), sentinel_context)
 
             yield d1
 
diff --git a/tests/utils.py b/tests/utils.py
index 513f358f4fd0..968d109f77c2 100644
--- a/tests/utils.py
+++ b/tests/utils.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 from synapse.config.server import DEFAULT_ROOM_VERSION
 from synapse.federation.transport import server as federation_server
 from synapse.http.server import HttpServer
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext
+from synapse.logging.context import current_context, set_current_context
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.storage import DataStore
 from synapse.storage.engines import PostgresEngine, create_engine
@@ -493,10 +493,10 @@ def time_msec(self):
         return self.time() * 1000
 
     def call_later(self, delay, callback, *args, **kwargs):
-        current_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        ctx = current_context()
 
         def wrapped_callback():
-            LoggingContext.thread_local.current_context = current_context
+            set_current_context(ctx)
             callback(*args, **kwargs)
 
         t = [self.now + delay, wrapped_callback, False]