The importance of the third dose and the use of masks against the omicron variant 2:56
(CNN) --
As free COVID-19 tests arrive in the mailboxes of people who have requested them, the first free N95 masks for the public are beginning to arrive at US pharmacies, with more on the way in the United States. next days.
The Biden administration is seeking to increase access to high-quality masks amid the spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the free tests began shipping last week, part of the administration's effort to increase access to tests across the United States.
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The masks are now ready for distribution at select Hy-Vee and Meijer supermarkets in the Midwest, with more expected at Southeastern Grocers stores later this week.
"Last week the masks began to ship and arrive at pharmacies and grocery stores across (the) country. We expect that throughout the week the number of stores and N95s arriving will increase significantly," said an official of the administration to CNN on Monday.
The Biden administration announced last week that the 400 million N95 masks, sourced from the Strategic National Stockpile, will be distributed to pharmacies and community health centers, with the program expected to be fully operational in early February.
The masks are arriving at their destinations accompanied by brochures and posters from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is responsible for paying for the masks.
"Put on your mask and maximize your protection," the flyers say, encouraging Americans to "help slow the spread of Covid by protecting yourself and those around you."
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Some of the 400 million N95 masks from the Strategic National Stockpile are starting to arrive at pharmacies across the country.
Here's the accompanying flyer and branding from @HHSGov, which includes a QR code link with more information.
pic.twitter.com/7NcgOwrcKP
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) January 24, 2022
The flyer, which is distributed in both English and Spanish, notes that there are up to three free masks "available to every person in the United States."
It also encourages people to check the cdc.gov/coronavirus website and includes a QR code with instructions on how to properly put on and take off masks.
The Biden administration will distribute 400 million N95 masks to citizens for free
The masks are being distributed at the same time that some people in the United States are receiving packages from the US Postal Service with free antigen tests.
Gourjoine Wade, of San Antonio, Texas, told CNN he ordered the tests the day covidtests.gov launched last week.
I wanted to have them on hand and ready for when I needed them.
"It's one more tool in the toolbox to keep myself, my family and our community safe," Wade said.
How to get the free covid-19 tests offered by the US government?
Where to get the masks
Some of the first masks arrived in the Midwest last Friday, including Hy-Vee grocery stores in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana. , Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.
The masks will also begin arriving at Southeastern Grocers locations starting this Friday, the official added, and will be available at Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie pharmacies.
Mills Civic Hy-Vee in West Des Moines, Iowa, received the masks Friday, along with nearly 150 other Hy-Vee locations.
Photos provided by the store show employees handing out the individually wrapped packs of masks, with flyers posted nearby for customers to take home.
Hy-Vee stores are already distributing free N95 masks.
"I can confirm that we began receiving and distributing our first shipments of N95 masks from HHS on Friday, January 21. At this time, many Hy-Vee pharmacies have received and are distributing their mask allotments. All 275 Hy-Vee pharmacies in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin will have masks by mid-week," Christina Gayman, a spokeswoman for Hy-Vee, Inc., wrote in an email to CNN on Monday.
“We have received a lot of positive feedback from customers who are happy that we have the masks and are distributing them so quickly. We still have masks available at all locations that have received them so far,” added Gayman.
In Meijer stores, masks will be placed on tables near store entrances and distributed by greeters.
Meijer confirmed to CNN on Monday that he has received "about 3 million masks" that will be made available to any customer who needs them free of charge.
CVS pharmacies are also expected to receive and begin distributing free N95 masks in the coming weeks as supplies are received from the federal government, spokesman Matt Blanchette told CNN in an email Monday.
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Walgreens expects the free N95 masks to be available at some locations starting this Friday, according to a company spokesperson.
"We are pleased to partner with the administration to make N95 masks in various sizes available for free at participating Walgreens locations while supplies last," a Walgreens spokesperson wrote in an email to CNN on Monday.
"Clients and patients can access a maximum of three masks per person," the email stated.
"We expect the first stores to begin offering the masks on Friday, January 28, and will remain on an ongoing basis in the days and weeks to come. Participating stores will have signs indicating the availability of the masks."
The first 100 community health centers participating in the rollout of the federal government's free N95 mask program will also begin this week, Amy Simmons Farber, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Community Health Centers, wrote in an email to CNN. this Monday.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) oversees the Community Health Centers program for the federal government, noting on its website that the Community Health Centers COVID-19 N95 Mask Program The HRSA program will begin in a phased manner, providing N95 masks to approximately 100 to 200 health centers in the initial phase.
"These health centers should receive and start distributing the masks before the end of January 2022," according to HRSA.
Farber added that by mid-February, HRSA expects masks to be available to all health centers.
"For now, the program is limited to about 300 community health centers to ensure that the logistics of receiving, storing and distributing the masks are resolved. We understand that the program will be expanded to include more health centers as part of the government's effort. of Biden to ensure underserved communities have equitable access to public health tools," Farber wrote in the email.
"It is our understanding that these select health centers should receive the masks by the end of January," Farber wrote.
"Each individual health center will need time to develop a distribution plan and notification process for patients. If you are a patient, please check your local health center's website for announcements. Please note that most Most health systems are at capacity and workers are suffering from the strain of the pandemic, and health centers are no exception. Try to keep health centers from being overwhelmed for now."
The "biggest deployment" of the government so far
This deployment of free masks has been called the "largest deployment" by the federal government to date.
"This effort represents the largest deployment of the Strategic National Stockpile to date and is also the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in United States history," Dawn O'Connell, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, wrote Friday. on a blog.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not plan to change its guidance on the use of masks while the administration increases access to them.
The CDC recommends that Americans wear well-fitting masks, which may include multiple layers of cloth, N95, or K95 masks.
The CDC updates its information on masks.
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"The use of masks is a critical public health tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than none," the CDC said in a statement earlier this month.
"Some masks and respirators offer higher levels of protection than others, and some may be more difficult to tolerate or wear consistently than others," the CDC recommendations say.
"The most important thing is to correctly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator that is comfortable for you and provides good protection."
By having a better fit and certain materials, such as polypropylene fibers, that act as both mechanical and electrostatic barriers, N95 masks help better prevent tiny particles from entering the nose or mouth and must fit the face to work correctly.
"The CDC continues to recommend that any mask is better than none. And we encourage all Americans to wear a well-fitting mask to protect themselves and prevent the spread of COVID-19," said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director, to journalists at a briefing earlier this month.
"And that recommendation is not going to change."
-- CNN's Paul Murphy contributed to this report.
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