Free N95 Masks Roll Out Along With Free COVID Tests

The Biden administration continues to ramp up access to free testing and protective gear as the first batch of the 400 million free N95 masks arrive at U.S. pharmacies and community health centers.  

Paid for by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the masks are coming from the Strategic National Stockpile. 

More high-quality masks will be rolled out in the coming days and weeks, with the N95 mask program expected to be fully up and running by early February.

The Largest Deployment In U.S. History 

This rollout of free masks has been called the federal government’s largest deployment by the Strategic National Stockpile to date. It is also the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in U.S. history. 

N95 Mask Availability And Accessibility

Participating stores will have signage indicating mask availability. Masks are and will be set up for distribution at the following venues: 

• Varies Hy-Vee grocery stores in the Midwest, including those in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska. One hundred fifty other Hy-Vee locations will also receive masks.
• Meijer grocery stores in the Midwest, including those in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. 
• Southeastern grocers 
• Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket, and Winn-Dixie in-store pharmacies.
• Varies pharmacies and grocers around the U.S, including CVS pharmacies
• Walgreens
• Community health centers,, and those included in the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 N95 Mask Program (approximately 100 to 200 health centers in the initial phase) 

Each individual health center, pharmacy, and respective outlet will develop a distribution plan and notification process for patients with regards to this large mask deployment program. Citizens are advised to keep updated on relevant websites for announcements.

Masks will be accompanied by flyers and signage from the HHS. The flyer, which is distributed in both English and Spanish, notes that up to three free masks are available to every person in the U.S. 

U.S. citizens are further advised to visit cdc.gov/coronavirus and use the QR code to gain instructions on how to put on and take off the masks properly. 

Mask Up And Maximize Protection Against COVID With N95 Masks

As another tool in the toolbox of keeping individuals, families, and communities safe, citizens are urged to mask up and maximize their protection against the raging Omicron variant that. 

N95 masks, as formerly mentioned, protect individuals against these viral aerosols and droplets. They have at least 95% filtration efficiency for NaCl particles sized 0.1–0.3 μm with even higher filtration efficiency at larger particle size. 

These high-quality masks help prevent tiny particles from getting into the nose or mouth and must be fitted to the face to function properly.

The supplementary layer, or ‘cotton layer’, fills 70% of the respirator and boasts a core-shell structure made of 95% cellulose and 0.6% natural wax. The filter layer’s dipole charge density is eight times higher than other layers and plays an important role in filtration. 

Further to this, filter layers in N95 masks play an important role in mechanical and electrostatic filtration. This type of filtration is not seen in fabric, cotton, polyester, and surgical masks, which are accessible and highly used by the public.

Along with this, as formerly mentioned, new mask guidance for U.S. citizens is as follows: 

• N95 or KN95 masks are to be worn consistently and correctly. 
• Recommended masks with layers of breathable fabric and a wire bridge around the nose are those used in healthcare, and industrial settings
• Masks are to be individually fitted and are to fit snugly. This follows research is done on the role of a good fit in rendering protective equipment useful
• While considered not the most comfortable option, toleration of wearing a KN95 or N95 all day should be made
• N95 masks should no longer only be prioritized for healthcare workers but for all U.S. citizens
• Mask policies should be adhered to, to ensure the wearing of high-quality masks to reduce the spread of COVID.