Free N95 Masks Arrive At Washington QFC, Fred Meyers
WASHINGTON — Still looking to find a new N95 mask? Well, you might try looking at a grocery store near you.
As of Thursday, QFC and Fred Meyer are the latest outlets offering free, non-surgical N85 masks to Washingtonians. The masks come as part of a federal government program to distribute free masks through partners like CVS, Costco, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, Rite Aid, and Albertsons, among others. A full list of partners can be found on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
According to QFC, their stores started receiving N95s late Wednesday night, and employees have begun stocking the shelves with the free masks. Masks are only available at QFC and Fred Meyer stores with pharmacies, and masks are limited to three per person. Customers can search for QFC and Fred Meyers stores with pharmacies on their websites.
“QFC is grateful for the ongoing role we’re able to play in helping help our associates and customers protect themselves and their communities against COVID-19,” said QFC President Chris Albi in a written statement. “We have many accessible stores across the region and invite our customers to visit to pick up free non-surgical respirator masks for their household.”
Walgreens saw their masks arrive last week, but many other stores are still waiting on their N95 shipments to arrive. CVS and Walmart expect masks will arrive in stores sometime in the next 14 days.
"We anticipate masks will be available by the second week of February at the front of more than 5,100 Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs across the country," said a spokesperson with Walmart.
The Federal Impetus
The nationwide N95 mask distribution is part of a wider COVID-19 response plan that included a rollout of a website where Americans can sign up to receive free coronavirus rapid tests.
President Joe Biden and his team announced late last month they would provide 400 million free N95 masks to Americans. The masks all come from the Strategic National Stockpile and will be distributed by retail pharmacies and local health centers.
The nationwide N95 mask distribution is part of a wider COVID-19 response plan that included last week's rollout of a website where Americans can sign up to receive free coronavirus rapid tests, the Associated Press reported.
The CDC updated its face covering guidance Jan. 14, clearly stating that properly fitted N95 and KN95 masks offer the most protection against COVID-19, but it stopped short of recommending them over cloth masks. The Washington State Department of Health, however, does encourage N95s as the strongest form of protection.
Patch Editor Chris Mosby contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on the Seattle Patch
