(We Chinese in America Media Editor Tang Zhao, January 26, 2022) Meijer supermarkets in Michigan have begun distributing free N98 masks to the public to reduce the risk of contracting the new crown. (Photo from Reuters)

The White House recently announced that it will use 400 million N95 masks from the Strategic National Stockpile to provide free use to the public, and some stores have already begun sending them; federal officials pointed out that each adult can receive three N95 masks.

The Midwest supermarket chain Meijer said on the 24th that it has received about 3 million N95 masks from the Ministry of Health, and people can receive three per person; another large Midwest supermarket chain Hy-Vee tweeted the pharmacy attached to the supermarket has begun to distribute N95 masks to the public for free.

Other large retail chains began distributing free N95 masks to the public this week, and Walgreens spokesman Alex Brown said that the first batch of distributions in local chains will begin on the 28th.

In preparation for the distribution of masks, the CDC earlier this month provided the clearest guidance yet on different levels of mask protection, stating that N95 masks that fit snugly against the face "provide the highest level of protection." Effect".

 Pharmacy, Community Center Participate in Distribution

White House officials said that almost all pharmacies and community health centers participating in the federal government's new crown vaccine program have agreed to be the bases for the free distribution of N95 masks. Therefore, chain pharmacies such as Rite-Aid, Huagreen, CVS and many independent businesses have Included. A Rite-Aid spokesperson said N95 masks will begin to be distributed at some locations later this week, and by early February at all locations.

A Huaglin spokesman said that it is expected that the first batch of its branches will start distributing N95 masks from the 28th.

There will be posters or signs at the gates of the pharmacies or health centers participating in the mask distribution campaign. The poster announcements also have QR codes for the public to scan and receive instructions on the correct use of N95 masks.

Free Pick Up No ID Required

The N95 masks issued by the federal government are completely free, and people do not need medical insurance to receive them, nor do they need to show documents at all.

According to the regulations, the distribution base distributes three free N95 masks per adult per day. However, it cannot be ruled out that there are people who exploit loopholes and go to different pharmacies to repeatedly receive masks.

N95 Masks for Children not Yet Approved

The Biden administration plans to distribute free high-grade children's masks in the near future. There are currently no N95-sized N95 masks for children approved by health authorities.

In addition to free N95 masks, President Biden also announced on the 19th that in order to strengthen the fight against the Omicron variant virus and bring about a rise in the new crown epidemic, the federal government will provide four sets of free new COVID virus home testing agents for each family in the United States; people can go to COVIDTests .gov website, or the website set up by the post office https://special.usps.com/testkits, you only need to provide your name and address, no credit card number and no shipping fee; the public can decide whether to fill in the email to receive the latest processing status of the order, but the same address can only be used for one booking.

(Source: Compiled from Online Information)