Free N95 masks are arriving at community health centers in Florida. Where to get one
Free N95 masks have begun to arrive at some pharmacies across the country, with seven community health centers in Florida also planning to distribute masks soon.
Two of the centers are in South Florida: Jessie Trice Community Health System in Miami-Dade and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County.
“As a staple in the community and having consistently served since 1967, we have been on the front line of issues that have plagued our community ever since; the pandemic is no difference,” said Toni Thompson, director of communications at Jessie Trice Community Health System. “We were one of the firsts in the community to test and to vaccinate, we have always distributed masks as inventory becomes available. Our target demographics are underserved individuals and we want to continue to be a reliable source for healthcare needs for our patients and the community as a whole.”
The free masks are part of the federal government’s new strategy to combat the more contagious COVID-19 variant omicron and comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance to say that well-fitting NIOSH-approved N95 respirator masks offer the highest level of protection.
The caveat: N95 masks are single-use though the CDC says you can use them up to five times, if needed, according to Reuters.
Want a mask? Here’s what to know:
Are the masks for adults and kids?
The initial mask distribution will only include adult N95 masks although kid-size masks could become available in the future, according to Health Resources & Services Administration, an agency within the U.S Department of Health and Human Services.
Where and how can you get the masks in South Florida?
▪ Jessie Trice Community Health System is planning to offer the masks to anyone who wants one, regardless if you’re a patient or not, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The federally qualified health center received its shipment Thursday and is finalizing its distribution plan. It will be providing up to three N95 masks per household, while supplies last, at all Jessie Trice locations, including at outreach events and select Jessie Trice senior high school based suites, Thompson said.
Patients will be notified when masks become available. The center will also be posting updates about their mask distribution on social media. The center’s Twitter is @JessieTriceCHS. It also has a Facebook and Instagram. To find a location near you, visit www.jtchs.org.
▪ Health Care District of Palm Beach County expects to receive masks early next week. The federally qualified health center says it will distribute the masks to patients through its ten C.L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics across Palm Beach County. Each adult patient will be able to receive three masks, pending availability.
“We are pleased to soon provide access to N95 face masks to our primary clinic patients as an additional layer of protection against COVID-19,” said Dr. Belma Andrić, chief medical officer for the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. “Our clinics provide a medical home to all patients and we cared for over 33,000 unique patients last year. Since late December of 2020, the Health Care District has provided over 226,000 COVID-19 vaccinations in the community. We encourage our clinic patients to receive their COVID-19 vaccine or booster at their next scheduled visit.”
By mid-February, N95 masks should also be available at all health centers and “Health Center Program look-alikes” that opt to enroll in the federal mask distribution program, according to Health Resources & Services Administration.
Look-alike centers are health centers that don’t receive federal award funding and rely on other funds to operate such as Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance and patient fees.
TIP: Select CVS, Walgreens, Winn-Dixie and Walmart stores in Florida will also have the masks soon.
Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más stores in Florida are getting free N95 masks. What to know
What other community health centers are offering masks in Florida?
▪ MCR Health, Inc. in Palmetto, Manatee County
▪ Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida, Inc. in Fort Myers, Lee County
▪ Central Florida Health Care, Inc. in Winter Haven, Polk County
▪ Trenton Medical Center, Inc. in Trenton, Gilchrist County
▪ Escambia Community Clinics, Inc. in Pensacola, Escambia County
Each health center will decide how to distribute the masks.
The federal government is using community health centers to ensure “underserved communities and those disproportionately affected by COVID-19 have equitable access to the tools needed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to the mask program’s website.
The federal government expects more health centers will enroll in the voluntary program in the coming weeks.
This article will be updated.
