Pharmacies in Delaware are beginning to distribute the free N-95 masks promised by President Biden, but finding them might not be easy.
With more infectious variants of COVID-19 on the rise, experts are urging people to use KN95 or N95 masks over less effective cloth masks.
Responding to the demand for more protective masks, the White House began shipping more than 400 million masks from the Strategic National Stockpile.
Some pharmacies across the nation received their supply of masks late last week or early this week. Others are expecting their shipments to arrive within the next few weeks.
While many big-name pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid are participating in the program, not every location will be getting a shipment of masks.
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Anyone seeking free masks should contact their pharmacy to verify if they are participating.
Where can I find masks?
A Rite Aid on Dupont Boulevard in Millsboro already has free masks and is currently keeping them at the register for customers to claim.
Brookside’s Rite Aid in Chestnut Hill Plaza near Newark is expecting their shipment by the end of this week or early next week, said a Rite Aid employee.
Various Walgreen’s locations, including those located in Wilmington’s Trolley Square and on Maryland Avenue, are not giving out free masks.
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In Middletown, the CVS location on Middletown-Odessa Road does not know if they will be a participating location.
Dover’s CVS on Forest Street is also unaware of their participation status for the free mask distribution, according to a store associate.
Walmart on College Park Drive in Georgetown hasn’t received masks yet, but said customers will be able to get them at the register as soon as they are available.
If you’re unable to find a participating location near you, N95 and KN95 masks can be purchased from retailers such as Amazon or local hardware stores including Home Depot and Lowe’s.
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How many free masks can I get?
Individuals will be limited to three masks per person to ensure broad access to the program, according to Kevin Munoz, assistant White House press secretary.
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