Public Health hosts first mask distribution event in Dayton

Matt Fisher (left) and Stacy Shern with the COVID-19 Community Health Equality Education and Outreach Team hand out free masks at the Northwest Branch Library on Philadelphia Drive on Thursday morning. JIM NOELKER/STAFF

Credit: Jim Noelker

Credit: Jim Noelker

Matt Fisher (left) and Stacy Shern with the COVID-19 Community Health Equality Education and Outreach Team hand out free masks at the Northwest Branch Library on Philadelphia Drive on Thursday morning. JIM NOELKER/STAFF

Public Health - Dayton and Montgomery County is giving out free surgical masks to the public today to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“Masks are very important to help prevent the spread of COVID so we want to make sure everyone has access to them,” said Dan Suffoletto, public information supervisor at Public Health.

The giveaway is at Dayton Metro Library Northwest branch, 2410 Philadelphia Drive, Dayton until 2 p.m. The event is the first of seven mask distributions scheduled throughout Montgomery County. Public Health is looking to have more giveaways though.

Two events are scheduled for next one. The first is on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at the Home Depot on Salem Ave. from 1 to 4 p.m. The second is on Friday, Aug. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton.

“We are going to various locations but we’re trying to get into areas where we think people may have transportation challenges or other challenges that may prohibit them from going and getting a mask,” Suffoletto said. “We’re trying to spread it out as much as possible but also being mindful about those at-risk areas.”

Each individual will be receive one mask and they will be handed out while supplies last.

Suffoletto did not have an exact estimate as to how many masks the agency has, but said it’s in the thousands and that Public Health has ordered more masks.

If someone is ill and unable to attend any masks distributions, he suggested asking a friend to attend and get a mask for them.

“We just want to make sure everyone realizes how important wearing the masks are because it cuts down the spread of COVID between people,” he said. “If both people are wearing masks it will significantly cut down the spread.”

Suffoletto added that it’s almost important to take other steps on top of wearing a mask to prevent the spread of coroavirus.

“It’s the whole package of precautions,” he said. “It’s mask wearing, washing your hands, it’s keeping that social distance. All of those things together will help cut down the spread.”

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