“Those working in congregate living facilities are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Walz. “While homemade masks will not replace personal protective equipment, they go a long way in preventing the wearer’s germs from infecting others. I am asking Minnesota’s crafters, sewers, and creatives to step up and help out their community.”

Following the week-long drive, the Governor's office said Minnesotans can deliver homemade masks to their local fire department on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fire departments will then deliver the masks to local congregate living facilities for their employees and residents to wear.

"We're excited to be a part of this program. I'm expecting kind of a lot of masks to be donated. I think the public is also probably excited," Chief Shawn Krizaj of the Duluth Fire Department said.

According to Krizaj, the City of Duluth's Life Safety Division is going to go through property records to find all of the places in Duluth that would be eligible to receive these masks.

"We’re going to try and make contact with them over the week and find out what their immediate needs are cause we really do want to try and prioritize facilities that are in greater need than others," Krizaj said.

Chief Krizaj said donations will be accepted at all Duluth fire stations Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He asks that those who would like to donate practice social distancing. 

Face mask patterns and instructions can be found here.

To read the original article and see related reporting, follow this link to the WDIO-TV website. https://www.wdio.com/news/governor-walz-mask-drive/5703862/?cat=12319