Biden Administration To Make Masks Readily Available at Community Health Centers and Food Banks

02/26/21 By Karagan Knowles

Photo Courtesy of nymag.com

President Joe Biden and his COVID-19 response team announced Wednesday in a press release they would make 25 million masks available at community health centers and food banks.

This comes in an effort to fulfill President Biden’s campaign goal of having all Americans wear face masks in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“We will deliver more than 25 million masks across the country. These masks will be available in more than 1300 community health centers, and at 60,000 food pantries nationwide. Any American who needs a mask will be able to walk into these health centers or food pantries and pick up high-quality American-made masks,” White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeff Zients told ABC News. 

These masks will be available at no cost and anyone picking up a mask will be encouraged to take a package of two masks for each person in their household. An estimated 12 million to 15 million Americans will receive them. 

“Not all Americans have access and not all masks are equal. With this action, we are helping to level the playing field, giving vulnerable populations quality, well-fitting masks,” Zients said.

Throughout his first month in office, Biden has continually reminded Americans to wear their masks at all times when in public in order to halt the spread of the virus.

The press release announced that the masks will be distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the Department of Defense. The distribution will begin in March and is estimated to continue through May.