Where To Get Free KN95 Masks In Mesa County

The state of Colorado is handing out free KN95 masks beginning this week.

Virus Surges In Colorado

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the state is experiencing a 28.44% positivity rate. On the most recent COVID dashboard, the state reported over 9,000 new cases of COVID with 287 new hospitalizations - evidence that the virus is continuing to surge through Colorado.

In Mesa County

Locally, Mesa County Public Health reported 465 new cases of COVID on Tuesday with 64 hospitalizations. The one-week average positivity rate in Mesa County is 19.5% -a little lower than the statewide average.

Get our free mobile app

Change In Direction

Federal health officials recently have indicated that cloth masks, though better than nothing, are not the most effective way to guard against omicron. The Biden administration has announced its intention to make millions of N95 masks available to the public for free in early February. The masks will be available at pharmacies and health centers.

What The Governor Is Saying

In the meantime, Colorado Governor Jared Polis  says:

"We are on a mission to help Coloradans keep themselves safe, and free medical grade masks are far more effective in preventing infection than cloth masks. By making free medical-grade masks available at libraries across our state and soon for home delivery, we are giving Coloradans a powerful tool to avoid infection."

The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be offering free KN95 masks in community centers across the state beginning Thursday, January 20. The administration continues to urge Colorado residents to get vaccinated, including children aged 5 and older.