The Biden administration said on Wednesday that it will be distributing 400 million high-quality Covid N95 masks for free to Americans. The step will be taken in order to rein in the coronavirus pandemic. The masks will be made available next week.
Tens of thousands of distribution points will be set up nationwide in order to give away masks. Pharmacies and community centers are expected to be main distribution centers. The White House said that the distribution drive will kick into full gear in February.
“This is the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in US history,” an unnamed White House official said in a statement.
The US is currently facing a surge of Covid cases due to Omicron variant of coronavirus. Other than the initiative to distribute masks, the White House is also focussing on expanding Covid-19 testing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in updated guidance published last week, said N95 respirators are more effective at preventing transmission of the virus than cloth and surgical masks. However, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has said wearing any mask is better than no mask.
On Tuesday it launched a website where each American household can order free tests, to be performed at home.
The website says “every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.”
“Order your tests now so you have them when you need them,” said the website.
The government aims to distribute one billion rapid tests in the United States, the country whose Covid-19 death toll of 853,000 is the world’s highest.
Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
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