MADISON, Wisc., (SPECTRUM NEWS) - Residents of Dane County who don’t have access to masks can soon get them for free.
“We have seen requests spike,” says Megan Syverson, part of Dane County Mask Makers. “In just the last six days, we have had 7,449 masks requested of us.”
Using money from the federal CARES Act, Dane County has invested $150,000 in buying masks for residents who are unable to get masks for themselves.
“We currently have over 60,000 masks at these over 100 locations,” says Dane County executive Joe Parisi. "We have another 40,000 on the way, we have another 50,000 behind us today.”
Instead of distributing those masks at a central spot, the county is giving them to more than 100 community-based organizations. Community centers, libraries, churches and other organizations will have masks to share.
The ultimate goal is to get these masks into the hands of lower-income families, communities of color and people who may not be as connected to the news or aren’t fully informed about coronavirus.
“Today Latinx have been very disproportionately affected by COVID-19,” says Teresa Tellez-Giron, who was representing her sister. Dr. Patricia Tellez-Giron leads the Latino Health Council.
“We were watching how COVID-19 was impacting our community,” says Gwen Jones of the NAACP Dane County branch. “The African-American community. As you all know, it’s been really destroying a lot of people in our community.”
These groups have outreach plans to not only give out the masks, but also make sure everyone understands why they’re so important. The NAACP’s efforts include masks, hand sanitizers and information brochures in its outreach packages.
Right now, as more families are asking these organizations and nonprofits for help, their reach is huge.
“In one month alone, our normal service is approximately 350-375 families,” says Jeanne Erickson of Today Not Tomorrow, which provides services for families with babies and toddlers. “That has tripled since March.”
After the order went into effect Monday, masks are required in Dane County pretty much anywhere indoors that isn’t your own home. More than that, science shows the protection which masks offer can be vital.
“A lot of times we feel helpless during this pandemic. But we are not helpless,” says Parisi. “Wearing a mask is something tangible you can do to step up for your community. To step up for your neighbors, and to literally save people’s lives.”
If you live in Dane County and you don’t have access to masks, your first stop should be the community organizations in your neighborhood. Try your local food pantry, church, or community center.
If after that you still can’t find a mask, click here to be taken to Dane County Mask Makers so you can request them.