(Patty Wetli / WTTW News)
(CNN) – The first free N95 mask has begun to arrive at US pharmacies. The Biden administration is looking to increase access to high-quality masks as the highly contagious Omicron becomes more prevalent, and will increase in the future. Mutant.
Masks have already been set up for distribution at several Hy-Vee and Meyer grocery stores in the Midwest, and are expected to be even more promising at Southeast grocery stores later this week.
“Last week, masks were shipped to pharmacies and grocery stores across the country and began to arrive. We expect a significant increase in the number of stores and N95 arriving throughout the week,” officials said on Monday. I told CNN.
The Biden administration last week 400 million N95 masksDelivered by Strategic National Stockpile, will be distributed to pharmacies and community health centers, and the program will be fully operational by early February. The mask arrives at the destination with a leaflet and sign from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) who paid for the mask.
“Mask to maximize your protection,” said the flyer, encouraging Americans to “help slow the spread of COVID by protecting yourself and the people around you.” increase.
Flyers distributed in both English and Spanish state that up to three free masks are “available to everyone in the United States.” cdc.gov/coronavirus Includes a QR code that explains how to put on and take off the mask correctly.
Where the mask arrives
Some of the first masks arrived in the Midwest on Friday. This includes Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Hy-Vee grocery stores in Nebraska, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky Meyer stores. And Wisconsin.
Masks will also begin arriving at grocery store locations in the Southeast early this Friday, officially adding, and will be available at Fresco y Mass, Harvey’s Supermarket, and Winn-Dixie in-store pharmacies. increase.
Mills Civic Hy-Vee in West Des Moines, Iowa received the mask on Friday and also received nearly 150 other Hy-Vee locations. The photos provided at the store show employees handing out individually wrapped mask packages and placing leaflets nearby for customers to take home.
“We can confirm that we received the first shipment of N95 masks from HHS on Friday, January 21st and started distributing them. At this point, many Hy-Vee pharmacies have received and distributed mask assignments. All 275 Hy-Vee pharmacies in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin have masks by mid-week. CNN on Monday.
“We received a lot of positive comments from customers who are happy to get the mask and distribute it quickly. The mask is still available everywhere we have received it so far. “Gayman added.
At Meyer’s location, masks are placed on a table near the entrance of the store and distributed by greeters. Meijer confirmed to CNN on Monday that it had received an “estimated 3 million masks” that would be offered free of charge to all customers who needed it.
CVS pharmacies are also expected to receive and begin distributing free N95 masks in the coming weeks as they come in federal supply, spokesman Matt Blanchett emailed Monday. I told CNN.
Walgreens expects free N95 masks to be available in some locations starting this Friday, according to a spokeswoman for the company.
A Walgreens spokeswoman emailed CNN on Monday, “We are pleased to partner with the government to make N95 masks of various sizes available for free at participating Walgreens locations.” It states.
“Customers and patients can get up to three masks per person,” said the email. “The first store will start offering masks on Friday, January 28th, and will continue to roll on a rolling basis for the next few days to weeks. Participating stores will have a sign showing the availability of masks.”
The first 100 community health centers participating in the federal government’s free N95 mask program deployment will also begin this week. Amy Simmons Faber, a spokesperson for the National Community Health Center Association, emailed CNN on Monday. The Health Resources Business Bureau Alternatively, HRSA oversees the Federal Community Health Centers program, and on its website, the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 N95 Mask Program will be phased in, with N95 masks initially in approximately 100-200 health centers. It states that it will provide.
According to the HRSA, “These health centers must receive and begin distributing masks by the end of January 2022.” By mid-February, Farber added that the HRSA expects masks to be available at all health centers.
“For now, the program is limited to about 300 community health centers, ensuring that the logistics of receiving, storing and distributing masks work. Our understanding is that poorly serviced communities are public health. As part of the Biden administration’s efforts to ensure fair access to tools, the program will be expanded to include more health centers, “Farber wrote in an email.
“In our understanding, these selected health centers should receive the masks by the end of January,” Farber wrote. “Individual medical centers need time to develop a distribution plan and notification process for patients. For patients, check the announcement on the local health center website. Most medical systems Remember that are capable and workers suffer from pandemic fatigue – and medical centers are no exception. For now, try to avoid overwhelming call centers. ”
The mask is still the “maximum deployment”
The deployment of this free mask is called the “largest deployment” of the federal government.
“This initiative is the largest strategic national stockpile deployment to date and the largest personal protective equipment deployment in US history,” said Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for HHS preparation and response. .. I wrote in a blog post Friday.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not plan to change that Guidance on using masks As the government increases access to these masks.
The CDC recommends that Americans wear a cloth mask, a suitable mask that can contain multiple layers of N95, or K95.
“Masking is an important public health tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and it’s important to remember that masks are better than no masks,” the CDC said in a statement earlier this month. I am.
“Some masks and respirators offer a higher level of protection than others, while others are less tolerable or more difficult to wear consistently.” According to the CDC guidelines.. “It is of utmost importance to properly wear a properly worn mask or respirator that is comfortable for you and provides excellent protection.”
The N95 mask fits better and helps prevent small particles from entering the nose and mouth as certain materials, such as polypropylene fibers, act as both mechanical and electrostatic barriers. It must be worn on the face for proper functioning.
“The CDC continues to recommend that masks are better than no masks, and we have the perfect mask for all Americans to protect themselves and prevent the spread of COVID-19. We encourage you to wear it, “CDC director Dr. Rochelle Warrensky told reporters at a briefing earlier this month. “And that recommendation remains unchanged.”
The-CNN-Wire
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U.S. Pharmacy Health Center Launches Free N95 Mask | Chicago News
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