Minnesota To Distribute 2.1 Million KN95 Masks: Where To Find One

MINNEAPOLIS — Gov. Tim Walz Thursday announced that the state of Minnesota will distribute 2.1 million KN95 masks to local public health agencies, schools, and community groups to ensure Minnesotans have access to high-quality masks during the latest COVID-19 wave.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its face-covering guidance earlier this month to state that properly fitted N95 and KN95 masks offer the most protection against COVID-19.

According to Walz's office, about 650,000 KN95 masks will go to local public health agencies for residents. Meanwhile, schools will receive 550,000 masks to distribute to staff and students.

Minnesota Department of Health Covid-19 Community Coordinators, child care centers, clinics serving Medicaid enrollees, and tribal nations will also recieve shipments, officials said.

Walz's mask distribution strategy is on top of a similar effort from the Biden Administration, which has begun sending masks to pharmacies and community health centers for Americans to pick up for free.

Masks from the federal program can be found at Hy-Vee, CVS Health, Walgreens, and Walmart stores.

This article originally appeared on the Southwest Minneapolis Patch