U.S. to distribute more than 25 million masks

[NFA] The Biden administration will deliver more than 25 million masks to community health centers, food pantries and soup kitchens this spring as part of its battle against the coronavirus pandemic, the White House said on Wednesday.

Freddie Joyner has more.

As part of its battle against the coronavirus pandemic, the White House on Wednesday announced that the Biden administration will deliver more than 25 million masks to community health centers, food pantries and soup kitchens.

COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients: “These masks will be available at more than 1,300 community health centers and at 60,000 food pantries nationwide.

Any American who needs a mask will be able to walk into these health centers or food pantries and pick up high quality, American-made masks.

These masks will be available at no cost.

They'll be well-fitting, cloth masks available in children's and adult's sizes and they can be washed for reuse, all consistent with CDC guidance, and all made in the USA." U.S. health authorities recommend mask wearing as a critical measure to help slow the spread of the disease, and the White House said many low-income Americans still don't have access.

Democratic President Joe Biden issued a mask mandate when he took office in January as the pandemic raged on, requiring masks and physical distancing in all federal buildings and the development of a testing program for federal employees for COVID-19.

Shortly afterward, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a sweeping order requiring the use of face masks on nearly all forms of public transportation.

Health officials are also telling Americans to continue to wear masks even after they are vaccinated.