The state of Minnesota will be getting free KN95 masks this week. 

Governor Tim Walz said 2.1 million KN95 masks will go to community groups, local public health agencies, schools, and more. 

This comes as the contagious omicron COVID variant continues to linger and mask mandates take effect, again. CDC and MDH officials believe the KN95 is the highest quality mask and most effective when it comes to blocking the airborne disease.

About 650,000 masks will go to local public health agencies for residents and nearly 550,000 will go to schools. 

The rest will go to MDH’s COVID-19 Community Coordinators, child care centers, clinics serving Medicaid enrollees, and tribal nations. Shipments start this week and will continue in the coming days.  According to the news release, those with higher risks are higher priority to getting masks sooner.

“High-quality masks help keep you and others safe – period. The Omicron variant means it is more important than ever that you wear a mask in public to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “I’m grateful to our community partners who continue to serve Minnesotans by providing vital resources to stay safe, including testing, vaccines, and masks.”

Minnesota’s mask distribution strategy comes as the Biden Administration begins sending millions of masks to pharmacies and community health centers for Americans to pick up for free.

To see the original post and read related stories, follow this link to the KBJR-TV website. https://www.kbjr6.com/2022/01/27/more-than-2m-free-kn95-masks-headed-minnesota-schools-community/