Kenosha County has received a supply of 440,000 N95 masks that will be distributed to residents in the coming days, Health Officer Dr. Jen Freiheit announced today. No ID or residency is required.
Starting today, the masks will be distributed to the public for free at the following locations while supplies last:
- Southwest Library
- Northside Library
- Simmons Library
- Uptown Library
- Salem Lakes Library
- Twin Lakes Library
- Westosha Senior Center
- Kenosha Senior Center
- Village of Pleasant Prairie and Rec Plex
- Town of Wheatland
- Town of Randall
- Village of Bristol
- Town of Paris
- Town of Somers
- Village of Twin Lakes
- Village of Salem lakes
- Town of Brighton
- Kenosha County Job Center
- National Guard testing site in Trevor
And distributed through the programs at these locations while supplies last:
- Shalom Center
- Grace Welcome Center
- Sharing Center
- Salvation Army
- Hope Council
- ELCA Outreach Center
- Society’s Assets
Each person will get a pack of 20 masks. Details on the safety of mask wearing can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/mask.htm and on the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-133/pdfs/2010-133.pdf
Kenosha County Public Health received this supply of masks Wednesday from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and has been distributing them to community locations in order to provide masks to as many residents as possible as quickly as possible while the Omicron surge continues. The masks only come in adult size and be can reused as long as they are not visibly soiled. Unfortunately, we have not been supplied with child-sized masks. The average person does NOT need to be fit tested with these masks and can wear them without issue. Fit testing is only typically required of healthcare and response personnel.
“We are very happy to be able to offer these free masks to Kenosha County residents, particularly those who may have a tougher time obtaining masks,” Freiheit said. “Wearing a well-fitted mask remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, particularly the highly contagious Omicron variant.”
For more information about COVID-19 in Kenosha County, including links to local vaccine providers and testing locations, and isolation and quarantine guidelines, please visit the Kenosha County COVID-19 Response Hub website at https://www.kenoshacounty.org/covid-19. For someone having difficulties getting to a location to obtain a pack of masks, please call the Kenosha County COVID-19 Hotline at 262-605-6799.