Not just home tests: the US distributes hundreds of millions of N95 masks
Just a day after the federal government began handing out home tests to all residents, today the White House announced that 400 million N95 masks will be distributed for free starting next week. Unlike tests sent by mail, the masks will be distributed in pharmacies, clinics and more
Hundreds of millions of N95 masks will be distributed free of charge to U.S. residents, the federal government said earlier this morning (Wednesday).
Illustration (Photo: Getty Images)
According to the White House announcement, the federal government currently has about 750 million N95 masks in the national pool, and initially it was decided to distribute 400 million masks across the United States. The masks will be sent to different cities and countries for next week, and will be distributed in pharmacies, community centers and clinics.
Our Administration is making 400 million N95 masks from the Strategic National Stockpile available for free to Americans.
N95 masks will be available for the public to pick up at tens of thousands of local pharmacies and health centers.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 19, 2022
So far, some local health authorities have distributed masks to residents, but the federal government has yet to act on the issue despite the fact that two years have passed since the outbreak of the crisis. In fact, at the beginning of the global epidemic, the federal government – then headed by Donald Trump – considered making a similar move and sending masks to every home in the US, but eventually this plan was scrapped.
Apparently, the federal government has decided to distribute N95 masks right now in light of the criticism that the same masks are difficult to obtain, and even when they are obtained the buyer is usually required to pay huge sums.
The administration has already begun distributing corona tests to residents (Photo: AP)
Another reason that led to the decision to distribute hundreds of millions of masks to residents is the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from last Friday, in which it was explained that N95 masks are the most effective in preventing corona infection: ” Explained Dr. Rochelle Wolansky, director of the CDC.
As mentioned, the federal government explained that the masks will be distributed in local pharmacies and clinics, and in the coming days more details about the mask distribution operation are expected to be published.
Alongside the masks, it is important to note that the federal government has begun distributing home corona tests to all residents. As we announced yesterday, initially every family in the US can get up to 4 home tests, which will be sent home free of charge.
Last month, President Biden announced that the federal government had purchased half a billion home corona tests that would be distributed free of charge to all residents of the state. Last Thursday the president updated that the administration had purchased an additional 500 million corona tests.
At the time it was explained that the new website – COVIDTests.gov – will start operating on Wednesday 19th January, and all residents will be able to request up to 4 free tests (including free shipping). However, the site started operating yesterday, and the tests can be ordered by entering a name and address only.
It is important to note that these are rapid antigen tests, not PCR tests. Also, there are different types of tests, and although no specific test can be selected, all tests have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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